Dead cylinder (#2) VG30 1995 pathfinder

[darkstar2113]

Have good spark, changed injector, checked power to injector and still no cylinder. I did get it to run intermittentently until I changed the fuel filter. Have since changed the injector. Please help. By the way I checked the ODB1 ECM and there is no diagnostic lever on it. Just a red and green light. The CEL is on but went off briefly when I got the now dead cylinder to pop in for awhile.

[WDRacing]

Just so I understand, it was running fine and then the #2 started to missfire followed by not firing at all. Was the cylinder dead before you changed the filter? The other 5 are ops normal? Does it run on 5 cylinders pretty well, aside from the obvious rough idle and loss of power. I only ask because I want to eliminate the fuel system.

Welcome to NICO btw

WD

[darkstar2113]

The other 5 were fine. I tapped on #2 at the base of the retaining cover for the injector and the cylinder came back. Also the check
engine light went off immediately. I then proceeded with a fuel filter change. With that accomplished I restarted the engine and all the #2 cylinder problems returned. The check engine light came back on as well. I again pulled the injector out and replaced it with a rebuilt one. Checked the voltage (12) and checked all but no luck. Pulled the plug, there is good spark. I cannot envision a fuel problem anymore. I am afraid of a stuck valve or other. Bt the way thanks for the welcome.
PS: This is an OBD 1 vehicle isn't it?

[WDRacing]

Yup, OBDII started in 96. Although some makes/models came in OBDII in 95. My 240 is OBDII and its a 95. Do you have a diagnostic port?

Give that injector a wack again, also wiggle the wires. The injector should have a constant 12v and is fired when the ecu connects the ground btw if you want to check the ground.

WD

[darkstar2113]

No diagnostic port I could find. Only an adjustable idle screw and a red and green bulb inside the case. That one time I did get the cylinder to fire the check engine light went off immediately. I wonder if it is in some type of constant diagnostic mode? Checked the compression and it was a rock steady 165PSI. So in my humble opinion that rules out a stuck or tuliped valve. I guess I am gonna have to find a manual somewhere cause I have reached the end of my expertise if you can call it that.
I definitely appreciate your and any others that have opinions or have something for me to try. It must be a relay somewhere that effect the whole 6 cylinders. Help!!

[WDRacing]

If someone doesn't chime in tonight with an idea I'll track down some guys with more experience then I have with the VG. I've actually only helped friends deal with turbo related issues...lol. That and I thought about swapping a VG into my 240.

Air, fuel and spark...one of those dudes is missing on that cylinder. It starts and runs, just not the #2 right? If so, start her up let it idle for like 30 seconds, then pull the spark plug. If it's not getting fuel then it will be dry. Hell you could pull the plug itself and turn the motor over, fuel will "mist" out of the plug hole if the injector is firing. You could place a rag over the hole, its either wet or not.

That would tell us where to look.

[darkstar2113]

It definitely flows fuel . I turned on the car with the injector out and the hole filled immediately.

[WDRacing]

So we have a spark issue, which makes more sense considering the injector has been swapped. Can you swap plug wires around and see if the problem follows the wire?

[Pwnin O'Brien]

I'm sorry I can't be of much assistance, I have very little WD21 experience. As far as the factory service manual, here is a link to all of the service manuals for the 95 Pathfinder. I'll keep searching and see if I can find anything for you though. Good luck!

1995 Nissan Pathfinder FSM

[darkstar2113]

So we have a spark issue, which makes more sense considering the injector has been swapped. Can you swap plug wires around and see if the problem follows the wire?

Did swap wires, swap plugs, watch the plug actually fire at that cylinder, change wires. I just don't know. Gonna change the oil today (10W-40) and see if that will have and effect. Someone told me he had a similar problem and the ECM overrides a cylinder for some oddball reason. Never heard of such. But there has been a lot of gas dumped in it and it is overdue. So what the hey. Thanks again

[darkstar2113]

I'm sorry I can't be of much assistance, I have very little WD21 experience. As far as the factory service manual, here is a link to all of the service manuals for the 95 Pathfinder. I'll keep searching and see if I can find anything for you though. Good luck!

1995 Nissan Pathfinder FSM

Thanks a billion for the service manual.

[philipa_240sx]

When was the last time you changed the distributor cap and rotor on that motor? The VG30i in my '87 Pathfinder used the same ignition system and required a 'tune-up' including a new cap and rotor every few years. It's a wear item like spark plugs and needs to be changed periodically.

Inside the distributor are 6 contacts/points (one for each plug) and a large pie shaped rotor. If any of those points are corroded/missing, or there is a crack in the distributor cap you will have ignition problems. On my VG, it would show up as a miss or stall during acceleration.

They are cheap to replace, so you may consider swapping them out.

[WDRacing]

I was gonna suggest checking the dizzy next.

[darkstar2113]

When was the last time you changed the distributor cap and rotor on that motor? The VG30i in my '87 Pathfinder used the same ignition system and required a 'tune-up' including a new cap and rotor every few years. It's a wear item like spark plugs and needs to be changed periodically.

Inside the distributor are 6 contacts/points (one for each plug) and a large pie shaped rotor. If any of those points are corroded/missing, or there is a crack in the distributor cap you will have ignition problems. On my VG, it would show up as a miss or stall during acceleration.

They are cheap to replace, so you may consider swapping them out.

Hate to say it but, have done all you mentioned. I still think it is electrical. If I am reading the ECM right I am getting a code 51 (Injector system). Don't know how With all the above having been done.

[philipa_240sx]

I'm at a loss then.

I would carefully double check everything again. Considering you said the injector worked after 'tapping it', I would start diagnosing the wiring to the injector. There could be a connection issue, poor ground, etc.

[WDRacing]

I'm interested in the ECU thing, where did you read this?

[darkstar2113]

From the ecm under the passengers seat. When I rotated it counterclockwise it went into its diagnostic mode. After all the flashing it flashed 5 reds and 1 green indicating code 51. or the colors may have been reversed. I think it is in the electrical harness but I am at a loss as I have checked all the leads and the resistance of the injector. All met specs. I did not do an engine running test to see if 12 volts was getting to # 2. It is pretty well down in the valley of the plenum.

[jhong1226]

try a noid light to test the injector connector when its running.

[darkstar2113]

Noid light test flashed

[ARKQX33V6]

If your injector passed a noid light test , it is likely the spray pattern. I would not use a rebuilt injector, time spent is easily wasted on some rebuilt parts. A scope can also tell you the duration of the injector. Also make sure the injectors have a good secure ground path

[93VG30E]

Just wondering if this ever was solved? 3 days ago i ran into the same problem all of a sudden on my pickup. i'm missing #3, same symptoms. I have spark so i changed the injector after reading about how often they fail, but no luck. I checked voltage at the injector, its good. Only difference is that i dont have a check engine light on and my ECM appears to have no codes logged.