Cold Start Problem

[dan222000]

I'm having trouble starting my car when cold. I have new spark plugs, a warbro 255 fuel pump and new Z32 fuel filter. When I go to start it in the morning it wants to start but only ignites once for a second and then I get nothing. I have to keep on cranking the starter and letting the fuel pump run and eventually it starts. It doesn't help if I puch the throttle down or not. It really doesn't make a difference at all. I was wondering if anyone knew what it could be?

[Hijacker]

Check your fuel pressure. If it's dropping radically, could be a busted pressure regulator.

Other than that, check your battery to make sure it's in tiptop shape. Cold has a tendancy to kill batteries.

When you crank it, does it sound as if it's cranking slower than usual?

[dan222000]

No, It still cranks at the same rate. I think you're right that it might be the fuel pressure. I think it might be the fuel pressure regulator sticking.

[Hijacker]

try and get a gauge hooked up to it. it should read around 43.5 psi

[dan222000]

I replaced the fuel pressure regulator and still got nothing. Do you think this could be a wiring problem? I have been having this problem ever since I did the SR20DET swap to my 240. I have checked for fuel, spark, pressure and it's all there. Any Ideas?

[SpeedRacer1]

Could be a bad engine coolant temp sensor. Or the wiring may be messed up, which SR? S13 or S14?

[dan222000]

I have a 96 240SX S14 and installed a RedTop S13 motor. What I have noticed is that I get spark when I first fire up the motor but then the motor cranks and sounds like there is no spark. I check for fuel and i'm getting fuel. Could my ignitor be going bad or something else electrical? This has been a problem from day one. I have always had a hard time starting the car cold but now I can't even get it to start. Could this be a part that was failing and has finally given out? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Hijacker]

typically if the ignitor goes bad, it stays bad. I've only seen them go out, never intermittently.

I agree with speed. Double check your coolant sensor. You can also see if you can pull some codes from the ECU. But right now I'd almost bank on your coolant switch.

I've been down this road before with multiple things failing. My FPR went bad and was flooding the motor from 55-60 PSI pressure in the line, and the coolant switch's plug had gotten corroded, so the ECU was acting as if the switch itself had gone bad.

[S13FASTBACKSR]

read this whole article..may seem like a lot but its really not..and besides if you really want to get the problem solved you'll try anything zerothread?id=230347

[dan222000]

Where is the coolant temp. sensor located?

[silverarrow27]

1 or 2 o'clock angle above the throttle body.

[S13FASTBACKSR]

usually when your coolant temp sensor is bad the engine wont start when warm and will start when cold..this is because when the engine is warm it needs less fuel to start..so the sensor tells the ecu the temp and the ecu tells the injectors how much fuel is needed..now since the sensor is bad it reads the engine as cold when its actually warm therefore the ecu tells the injectors to put in more fuel for a cold start and therefore the engine is flooding..so i dont think that is your problem but give it a shot

[dan222000]

Thanks for the link to the other forum. It helped me out alot and I solved my cold start problem. My problem was actually a wiring problem. And it had something to do with the orange wire that goes to the ignition. My Nissan mechanic came over Saturday and checked if I had spark, fuel, etc... He then checked my wiring and bam found the problem. The person that wired my car had incorrectly connected one wire (The orange one). Thanks for all your help!

[S13FASTBACKSR]

awesome bro!! glad it solved your problem!!