94 sentra, engine loses power

[msudawgs98]

i have a 94 nissan sentra. car is idling funny lately especially after car starts. it dies a few times when cold, and it will be ok when it gets warm. also, sometimes engine will start losing power while driving and then all of a sudden will start idling high and car will just speed up. seems like car is possessed. anyone have an idea what the problem is. thanks.

[IveBeenBad]

Have you tried running a compression test? You should listen for air coming out of a cylinder opposite the one you are checking compression on and if you hear air coming from the oppostie cylinder, you likely have a blown head gasket.

Other suggestions:

Fuel system (pump, filter, injector)Air filter (probably not)Timing? (doubt it)

[NISTECH]

fuel pump maybe for the boggining. may also be airflow problem. if you have a volt meter do a voltage drop on the ground side of the airflow meter shouldnt be more then .02v if it is run a second ground to the intake manifold. splice into the original ground do not cut it. cold start could be carbon build up in intake in conjunction with out of adjustment base idle.

[msudawgs98]

thanks for the suggestions. i started the car this morning it ran fine>> probably because it's a little warmer this morning. anyway, i'll check for the voltage next weekend.

i have another question. when i drove the car last night, i noticed that the speedo didn't work for about 10 sec. it stayed at zero mph. what causes the speedo to stick? is the speedo cable or sensor operated? need your help again

[IveBeenBad]

thanks for the suggestions. i started the car this morning it ran fine>> probably because it's a little warmer this morning. anyway, i'll check for the voltage next weekend.

i have another question. when i drove the car last night, i noticed that the speedo didn't work for about 10 sec. it stayed at zero mph. what causes the speedo to stick? is the speedo cable or sensor operated? need your help again

I am not sure about your car, but my 240SX uses an electronic speed sensor that is mounted at the rear of the transmission. Yours will be different since you are FWD, but the speed sensor is just 2 wires, you could check and see if maybe the insulation is worn through and causing a short.

[NISTECH]

I believe the 94 is a cable.

[msudawgs98]

If the speedo is cable operated, then what would be the culprit of the speedo gauge sticking? Would it be the gauge itself that is sticking? thanks again

[NISTECH]

the cable attaches to the speedo head directly.the cable is an input to an electrionic device(speed sensor) that device sends the signal to the needle portion of the speedo head and it sends the signal to the ecm. if the circuit inside the speedo head fails the signal will not be sent to either place.