1995 Nissan Maxima Cold Start issues

[rspector]

I have a 95 max with 120k on it, when its cold the car takes a very long time to start, smells like its flooded and I hear popping comming out of the exaust. This morning (5 degrees) it took a shot of starter fluid into the throttle body to make it to work, I have read the engine light codes, only calls for a knock sensor. This seems to be a common max problem,any one have any ideas, plugs are new, teseted the coils , pulled plugs and it seems to be getting spark. It has a new crank sensor in it. Could this be a cam sensor problem? If so what are the specs(I.E. how do I test them and where are they located) any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[maxhopper]

Welcome to NICO.

The cam sensor is located on the engine front cover, just to the side of the motor mount. Resistance should be 1600+/-160 ohms at 68*F for a Hitachi sensor; and 2320+/-230 ohms for a Mitsubishi sensor.

I doubt that is your problem, since that would throw a code if a malfunction was indicated. I would check your starter and the fuel pressure.

[blackhand]

hi,

i've been arround nico forums for a while because i'm a 240sx owner, but now i'm having problems with my second car, a nissan maxima 1995, the problem i guess is timing, but i want to be shure or have an idea on what is the best solution or where to start... well few months ago maybe 5 or 6, the timing chain start to make noise and i bought a new one from advanceautoparts by spo, i took the car to the shop because my sister was not able to start the car, in that time i was confused if it was because of the timing problem or starter, once the car was on the shop the guy told me that i needed a new starter too so i bougth a new one, once that person finished with the car i was not able to pick it up so he took the car to my house and store it. few days later i went to my house and needed the car, i try to start it and the problem starts, the car took like 2 minuts to start unless you push many times the gas, inmediatly i called the guy and he told me that this kind of engine adjust by it self the timing, anyways to make it short, i have problems with the shop, never fixed anything, timing chain is making noises again like 2 months after the new install is hard to start, make some poping noises like a piston out of time when is starting, and i cheked the ecu codes, there are a lot of codes,, i can remember exactly, but at least the crank position sensor and some other crank sensor, knock sensor of course... i think that's it, i'll check again,,, to be honest before the timing chain replacement i did not check the ecu codes. i have no idea if those sensors are bad sensors or just sensors that detect some other failure... can somebody help?,, how does the timing adjust on this kind of cars?, sorry i have dist on mine lol. thanks a lot for your time guys,, but i want to do the job by myself, i dont trust on any shop anymore, (i know some stuff about engines, i built my own ka24de but it has distributor,,, i'm not a noob, but just completely new on maxima engine) thanks again. and sorry bc i'm using your treat my friend but maybe the answer will help both.

[maxhopper]

The crank sensor would definitely cause starting problems. Did you buy new timing chain guides, or just the chain?

[blackhand]

i bougth the whole timing chain kit, honestly i'm not shure if the guides were included or not, and even if the guides were included i'm not completely shure if the f***ing guy replace all the parts that i give him in the box, i just remember that i give him the box with all chains, tensioners, and some other parts, i guess guides should be included in a timing kit for 320dlls on advanceautoparts?,,,, i was thinking.... if the maxima ecu will adjust the timing. it is possible that the sensor is failing and the ecu is making lower and lower the time causing the chain to be loose?,,, i guess not possible but just wondering, , today i'm going to check the ecu codes... thanks a lot for the help......... is that hard to replace the timing chain or parts by myself?,, i know how to do that but i'm concerned about the timing marks, maybe wont be on the chain anymore... is there any way to check if the noise is caused by the tensioner that is easy to pull.... i mean the one that you remove by removing only the little front cover on the left of the engine bay (front of the engine),,, (i read this on the FSM of the maxima,,),,,, but maybe as you said will be the guides or the tensioners on the small chains.... bump!!,,, thanks .....

[rspector]

UPDATE

I brought my car into the garage, had the codes checked, pops up with a knock sensor (which i'm told doesn't throw out a code so i'm confused to how it is?)and an o2 sensor. Of course he couldn't replicate the problem because the vehicle was already warmed up. He checked cam sensors they were fine. Should I check fuel pressure? If so what are we looking for for psi? I was reading a thread about a dirty fuel filter that was causing a similar problem? The car has 120k on it and has never had a fuel filter change. Is that something I should also look into? Thanks

[maxhopper]

Definitely change the fuel filter first.

The knock sensor will throw a code, it just won't turn on the check engine light.

[rspector]

the fuel filter is under the hood on the fire wall of this car right?

[maxhopper]

Yes. Right by the brake booster.

[ahmad3051]

CHECK THE COOLANT TEMP SENSOR. IF YOUR FANS ARE ON ALL THE TIME AND THE CAR DOES NOT START WHEN IT IS COLD. MOST LIKELY IT WILL BE THE COOLANT TEMP SENSOR

[rspector]

already check that it and was fine, but thanks for the input

[dustpan16]

I think you should replace you ecu. I know it is expensive but Nissan came out with a updated ecu for the maxima. The original ecu advances the timing to much during start up. Mine was around seven hundred but I didn't really have a choice.

[autosgear]

I had a 95 a yr ago and had same problem. I suggest you to take your starter to autozone and have them check it. That was my problem, it wont cost you any money. They will check it for free, and its not hard to take off.