99 I30 Engine Rotates But Won't Start

[loystock]

I have a 99 I30 (4th gen. Maxima) with 64,400 miles. Car has completed the 60K Maintenance last Nov’ 06 where plugs, belts etc., were replaced. In mid-April, the car was rear-ended on the RH side. Total repair cost was $9500 where the rear bumper, rear axle, RH tail light and RH wheel were replaced. The repair job was excellent and the car is back to normal until...

Yesterday, the car died after the first start. Subsequent starts only crank the engine but won’t run (fuel tank more than half full). I did some preliminary work but car still won’t run. BTW, all replacement parts are OEM and mostly bought from Joe (Scottsdale Infiniti).1. Battery is good (2-1/2 years old) and connectors are clean and tight. No load voltage 12.53 VDC and cranking voltage between 11.5 to 11.9 VDC. Jump-start didn’t help.2. Starter is good since it cranks the engine and is just 3 years old.3. Alternator is just 1 year old. 4. Air and fuel filters are relatively new but replaced them anyway.5. Cleaned MAF sensor and throttle body.6. All fuses in engine compartment and kick panel checked out Ok.7. Fuel pump connections and input voltage Ok. I thought the pump ‘died’ because of the earlier accident but it runs Ok. With ignition switch ON pump has an output of 43 PSI (measured downstream of the fuel filter thru a T-fitting).8. Pulled out 3 spark plugs in front and all are in good condition (not wet on removal). Spark plugs fired when doing ‘spark’ test.

I will buy a scanner tomorrow and check for ECU codes. Then will check MAF, injectors, fuel pressure regulator and wiring harness.

A while back NISTECH posted some issues about the Maxima wiring harness but I can’t find it. I will take any suggestion on how to fix this problem.

Regards,Rod

97 & 03 Q45s97 & 99 I30s04 G35 sedan

[MinisterofDOOM]

Seems like you've covered most of the bases...tested for spark, fuel pump...Unfortunately most of my first guesses are covered in what you've managed to rule out.

I think I'd next check to see if fuel is making it to the cylinders.

I will buy a scanner tomorrow and check for ECU codes. Then will check MAF, injectors, fuel pressure regulator and wiring harness.

Let us know what you find out.

I found a few posts by NISTECH regarding harness issues, but none seemed related to your issue. There was a comment about a TSB concerning the harness next to the passenger strut tower that could be worth looking into.

I'll spend some more time digging and see if I can turn up anything more relevant.

[loystock]

Do you have the specific TSB number for that harness issue? I did a search of NISTECH postings but it gave me a very limited list and none related to my problem. There is a web site that lists 95-98 Maxima TSBs that I can go to, if you have that info.

Thanks,Rod

[loystock]

Got home from work very late so I was unable to buy a scanner. Anyway, I checked the harness near the RH strut tower and put dielectric grease on nearby connectors. Started the car, and lo and behold, it ran as if nothing happened...not even a Check Engine light. Fuel pressure was 35+ psi with engine running. Fuel leak down with engine off was steady, holding at 30 psi for a while then went down to 20 psi after several minutes. Re-started the car several times with the same good result.

So I don't know what really happened. It's possible that the engine got flooded after numerous start attempts earlier. By pulling out the spark plugs and letting it sit overnight probably drained the excess fuel. I'll still buy a scanner so I can read ECU codes in the future. In ther meantime, I'll leave the fuel pressure gauge in the car for a couple of days so I can observe the pressure.

Regards,Rod

[brianw]

vbxmaxima.8m.com should still be up, and it has the decoder to decode things manually if you don't get around to buying an OBD-II reader.

[loystock]

I finally got a scanner over the weekend. However, I got no code when I plugged it in. The CEL is also off. The car starts most of the time but other times, fail. I need the car fully operational as my son is going to college this school year.

I will service the PCV, IAC and EGR valves and check fuel injectors, harness and ground points. I may have to take it to my mechanic if the problem persisted. Any other suggestion on how to isolate this problem? Do you think a Ground Kit will help?

ThanksRod97&03 Q45s97&99 I30s04 G35 Sedan

[brianw]

Check the throttle position sensor voltage.

Take it to Don's Nissan and Z Specialist in Campbell, CA (is he still in business?) if you need a shop, I'm pretty sure Don can have this figured out in a few minutes.

[loystock]

Just an update....car has been running flawlessly since July, and son is very happy. Last corrective action was cleaning the ground points, especially those close to the fuel injectors. Will remove the T-eed fuel pressure gauge this week.

Rod