Nissan Repair: 96 Altima (replace Distr or Crankshaft Pos Sensor), fuel pressure gauge, crankshaft position sensor

Question
My daughter's 96 Altima has 145K on car, about 25K on quality engine rebuild. It has been running great until last week.

The car runs 5 miles and then stops, will not restart until it rests for a couple of hours, then starts right up and runs again for 5 miles - until it is warmed up - then stops again. When it runs it runs great - no roughness anywhere, very smooth, until it just cuts off. Like it is getting no fuel.

So far, I have replaced the metal fuel filter next to the fire wall, cleaned the fuel injectors, replaced the battery, put in a full tank of premium. No change. It consistently keeps a 5 mile limit on travel.

Now I have taken it to a generalist mech who wants $400 to put in a new distributor.

My question, after reading everything I can about a 96 Altima with this kind of problem, is:

Should I replace the MAF sensor and/or Crankshaft Position Sensor before jumping right to the expensive distributor replacement?

I can do both the sensors myself for less than $100, but do not want to take on the challenge of the distributor. Open to any suggestions - I have to do something by this weekend so my daughter has trans to work.

Thanks!! Lou  

Answer
Lou,

I would check for fuel pressure first.  Get a fuel pressure gauge and screw it onto the rail and tape it onto the windshield and if the pressure drops off when it dies you will know that is the problem.  If the pressure is good and the car still dies you know that it is not getting spark.  Now, you can start an analysis of systems.  Get a volt/ohm meter.  Only $20 bucks at the parts store.  And, purchase a Haynes manual and then you can check the MAF and crankshaft sensor against the values in the book for your year.  Isolate the problem and you will be saving money.  The Haynes manual or Chilton only costs $20 bucks too.  A rebuilt distributor is aobut $300 bucks and it is somewhere between $150 to $300 for a MAF.  So, I would check parts before replacement. Email me back with your questions or problems.