2000 pathfinder will crank but not start

[Brutis]

Been trying to figure this out and I am at a loss already replaced distributor and button plugs wires fuel filter and fuel pump..I can spray with ether and it will start and run a few seconds. Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks

[04pathse]

Bad fuel pump relay maybe? I believe it is located in the engine bay...

[atraudes]

Welcome to Nico!

Before anything, press on the gas a bit and try starting it. If that works, disregard everything else I put here.

So you spray some starting fluid or the like into the engine and it starts for a few seconds? Based on that it's probably safe to rule out spark or air as the problem. It may still be the timing, but focus on fuel until you can rule it out. Check the fuses for the fuel pump. Have a friend put his ear up against the fuel tank where the pump is and see if they can hear it running when you turn the key to On (not actually starting it though). The fuel pump runs for a second or two every time the key is turned to On. Then get ahold of a fuel gauge and hook it up to the fuel rail to verify you have pressure.

If all of that checks out, take a look at the timing. Double check the wires are going to the right plug and that you're not 180° out. Turn the distributor back and forth a bit at a time, trying to start it with each adjustment. Then pull a spark plug, connect the wire, and hold the side of it to the engine block and try starting for a second. Use gloves (of course)! You'll be visually verifying that the plug is generating spark as it should be.

Hope that helps!

[Brutis]

Thanks for the replies I have to work next two days I am going to try some of the stuff that has been posted. I did not replace the distributor only the cap and rotary button not sure if this changes any testing I should do also wondering if buying a cheaper scan tool would help .any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[atraudes]

I'm not sure if a code scanner would find anything since the engine hasn't had a chance to really run and detect problems, but I may be wrong.

Generally new distributors fix running problems, not starting ones, so I wouldn't start there. If it were flat-out bad, you wouldn't get it to start whatsoever.

[lrwhat]

Had a no start prob once ended up being crankshaft pos sensor (also the cel p0335 popped up ) good luck

[Hawairish]

Still having the problem, Brutis?

There's an immobilizer system that will allow it to crank but not start if there's an issue with the key. Perhaps something has failed in that regard? The FSM has a proper troubleshooting process in the EL section...might be worth a quick read to see if anything might apply to you, or can be quickly tested.

[mateen110]

Still having the problem, Brutis?

There's an immobilizer system that will allow it to crank but not start if there's an issue with the key. Perhaps something has failed in that regard? The FSM has a proper troubleshooting process in the EL section...might be worth a quick read to see if anything might apply to you, or can be quickly tested.

This! I had troubles starting mine up a few months ago, until I saw a post here reminding me about the key!

OP: When you turn the key, see if the security light (under the driver's AC vent) lights up. If that's the case, it is your key.

[atraudes]

If the immobilizer was preventing starting the car, he wouldn't have any luck with the ether, correct? Or could the compression of the pistons enough to ignite it without spark, like a diesel?

[Hawairish]

ether

I'm sure it's a typo, but I can't think of the replacement word. Other? (If so, still not sure what you mean, sorry.)

If the engine were heated up, compression alone could ignite the fuel (that's what occurs in a ping situation). But with immobilizer, there's simply no fuel being sent. That's what makes it tricky...it replicates a fuel pump issue, but is far less obvious.

I've had three conditions where I could crank and not start:
1. Throttle position sensor code. Occurred only after the engine was heated to normal temps, then turned off.
2. Random crankshaft position sensor code. Put my truck into limp mode while driving, can't be restarted when turned off.
3. Relocated the key's immobilizer chip into one of those flip-out key fobs combos. Truck didn't like that, just wouldn't start. Had to re-learn the key for some reason.

[atraudes]

Lol I was referencing Brutis' first post regarding the ether

[Hawairish]

Lol...I had to look that one up. I only knew ether in that "airy" "imaginary" sense, not an actual volatile chemical. I've seriously never heard that reference otherwise...does it have another name? Starting fluid?

So yeah, that makes a lot more sense. I suppose if it's throwing a spark, it might ignite in lieu of fuel being sent. I think the immobilizer only cuts fuel. If it cuts both fuel and spark (which would be logical), then I doubt it's enough to combust the ether.