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Followup To
Question -
I went out to start my sentra yesterday; it was about 30 degrees, one of the warmer days recently. The car cranks over, but it doesn't seem to want to start. Initially, it acted like it wanted to with a few intermittent fires, but the car didn't start. The battery continued to crank the car, but it lost power relatively quickly. I tried to jump the car, but that didn't work either. I'm trying to figure out if the battery could be too weak to power the computer/injectors as some sites seem to suggest, or if trying to jump start the car rules out the possibility of a bad/weak battery.
Does this car have a cold start sensor or anything like that. I had that issue with a 1991 sentra once.
A google search did send me to epinions where I read that this is a fairly common problem in these sentras, yet I don't see any solid advice on causes anywhere on the web. I'm hoping that you can help me. Thanks for your time.
Greg
Answer -
Greg,
First get the battery charged and then go over the tune of the engine. When it is cold it takes more to get the car to start. Now, there is a temperature sensor that tells the computer to run the engine in a rich mode like a carbureted car has a choke. After the car is warm the computer leans out the mix. I would check the plugs, wires, cap, filter and fuel filter and then go back to start the car. Also, after you get it running you can do an electrical check, for free, at Autozone or Checker. This will tell you if the alternator is putting out 14.2 volts when running and if the battery will hold a charge.
Thanks for the great help. I was able to borrow Autozone's code checker and I pulled a code of P0304 from the vehicle. It said EGR flow malfunction. The guy at Autozone said he didn't know if that would keep the vehicle from starting. It looks like a pain to access the EGR valve. Should I start there, or do you think there is another reason it won't start. The battery is fully charged.
Thanks again for all your help,
Greg
AnswerGreg,
If the EGR is stuck open you could very well have the problem of not starting and it is a pain to replace. But, that is where I would start since the computer is registering the code. But, I would go over the general tune of the engine and replace filters if they are due.
