J30 starting problem

[mistersnak]

I have a pristine '95 J30 (L.A. car, and I live here) , 82,000 miles with all services done at the right intervals (though not all at dealer). I bought it at 47,000 from the original owner who only dealer serviced the car. Never a repair since I've owned it except for brakes (3 weeks ago!). Amazing car.Mostly freeway driven (though not daily commutes).

Perplexing problem. This has only happened a few times (5-7 at most) in the 3 years I've owned the car. It happened once just after I bought the car (or course), and most recently, today (3 years later).

The scenerio is always the same- The car has been sitting overnight (average temperature, no inclinate weather- possible dampness, though not rain), I go to start the car, but instead of starting right up, it starts to start, but there's a roughness that ends with it dying. Subsequent attempts at restarting seem to make the starter motor crank away in a much freer way - like no engine compression.

After a couple minutes of stopping and attempting to restart, it finally starts, though begrudgingly - I feather the accelerator, and the motor finally starts to catch, though very, very rough. It finally holds, and the engine slowly roars back to its normal self, though initiallly spewing white smoke (I'm sure the accumulation of all the gas that was sent to the cylinders). After this, no problems.

This car normally runs flawlessly - never even a rough idle, let alone a starting problem. This has also occured at various times over a 3 years period.

Any ideas? Could it be a computer glitch?

[driverdriver]

Are you doing a bunch of short trips without properly warming up the car? If so, your flooding it, that's why your getting those symptoms. J's are notorious for that.

[mistersnak]

Being that the problem is so infrequent, and not particularly symptomatic of what I've ever experienced with flooding in any car I've ever owned before ( a LOT of cars), so I didn't even think that this might be the problem, but am open to suggestions. Don't really take short hops that much. The car usually always gets a good run. Climate is also very temperate here. This car usually starts in a second, and always using a light pedal after it catches.

[metaverse3]

I recall reading about the fuel rich/cold start issue on J30's (I own a 93 J30t ) but I cannot place it..

First off, don't pump and dump the gas pedal with starting issues. Lot of folks tend to think this is a studebaker to pump and prime..this only makes it worse.. This is a computer controlled, fuel injected vehicle.. All Nissan products have an flood protection circuit tied into the ECCS (main computer) The rule is to floor the gas pedal while cranking so the car actually gets starved of fuel to clear the flood(ing) When you floor the gas pedal, the ECCS knows it is in open loop (car not running, sensors not active) courtesy of the TPS (throttle position) sensor(s) telling it to cut fuel to clear a flood condition. This is how you clear a possible flood condition on every nissan fuel injected product anywhere you go in the world.

Start with the basics.. a tune up...plugs..filters..fluids etc. With this out of the way, these cars are the most notorious electrical gremlins known to man. A quarter of their issues occur from bad soldering on circuit boards which result in cold spots over time..bad for things computer controlled. On my 93 J30T I had to resolder to fix a bose headunit issue, dimmer switch issue, and door lock timer to fix the door locks from locking randomly.. Check all the grounding points on the car.. Check the Mass Air Flow sensor and it's contacts. Check the Throttle position sensors and it's contacts. Check the coolant temp sensor. This sensor is the most basic thing that can fail. It reports temperature to the ECCS before you even start the car.. Failure or laziness in this sensor can cause the issue you stated.. I have seen it on maxima's many a time. The sensor is reasonable..under $50 and looks like this: http://img.thepartsbin.com/live/C6020113284FOR.JPG Check the fuel pressure circuitry..fuel pump, sender, fuel pressure regulator.. Clean the throttle body thoroughly. After cleaning, your idle will shoot up for a bit.. If you can live with it...the ECCS will automatically calibrate in a couple of days, otherwise, reset the base idle. Do a check into the fuel injectors.. there is a cold start injector/circuitry in these cars.. look into that..

I looked up some postings outside of here..

http://www.automotiveforums.co...32887

http://www.nissan-infiniti-for...00021

Abdul

[mistersnak]

Great info from both posters. Guess I've been relatively protected by the Nissan gods from the electrical problems that can apparently plague this car. Next time I have an incident, I'll pay closer attention.