It won't start!

[Guest RoughTrailRider]

I don't get it. I've got a '92 Pathfinder with the 3.0L V6. It won't start at all. It will try, but just not turn over. I can smell a good bit of gas when it tries, so I think it's getting flooded.

 

Does anyone know why this would happen and why it would prevent it from being started? Maybe the knock sensor? Would that keep it from starting?

 

Oh, and it will start just fine if I pour some gas in the air intake....actually started on fire one time. :help: :help: :help:

[MatterHorn]

are you saying that the engine rotates, but will not fire? or are you saying that it will not turn over period?

 

check the fusible links to be sure they aren't fried, also check and see if there is actually any spark at the wires ... go from there ...

[Guest RoughTrailRider]

It will turn over, just not start. It's getting fire because it starts when gas is poured into the intake.

[MatterHorn]

check the fusible links for the fuel pump ... its fuses .. and finally ... check to see that the fuel pump is actually running... it may be a good time to replace the fuel filter as well, as it might be all clogged up ...

[kmgar99]

You might actually be getting fuel to the injectors BUT, not enough fuel to turn it over. Like Matterhorn said replace the fuel filter and if the car has been sitting for a long time, you might try a bottle of the fuel injector cleaner in the tank as well.

 

Double check all the plugs (Gap), wires, distributor, rotor, etc.....

[Guest RoughTrailRider]

I know the fuel pump is coming on. I even pulled the hoses from the pump to the engine to make sure it's circulating. Check. Would a clogged fuel filter cause it not to start and/or cause it to smell flooded?

[br2an]

It won't start because it is not getting fuel into the cylinders, yet you can smell gas like it is flooded? Check for a fuel leak.

 

Brian

[Guest RoughTrailRider]

It is getting gas. I believe it is getting too much gas. What next?

[br2an]

It will turn over, just not start. It's getting fire because it starts when gas is poured into the intake.

 

It is getting gas. I believe it is getting too much gas. What next?

 

That doesn't sound right. If it is getting too much gas, the last thing that will make it fire up is pouring more gas down the intake. If you are positive that fuel is getting to the cylinders (and it fires up when gas is poured in the intake), then the fuel is contaminated or something.

 

Do the spark plugs look wet (fuel soaked)? If it is getting too much gas, it can wash down the cylinders and cause a loss of compression. (usually older, high mileage engines) Also the extra gas can contaminate the engine oil.

 

Brian

[MatterHorn]

two more thoughts here ... .

 

 

just becuase you are getting fuel doesn't mean that it is enough ... check your pressure regulator and filter ...

 

secondly ... you may not be getting fuel to the injectors ... use some injector cleaner to clean the fuel rails ...

[br2an]

 

RoughTrailRider, is it going yet? What was the problem?

[kmgar99]

Hopefully with all the gas involved it does'nt blow up....BOOM!

[Guest RoughTrailRider]

Got it to start! Ok, it was the computer. I got a used one from another Pathfinder, and it started right up.

 

Now I've got more problems....It runs, but idles at about 1400-1600 rpm's. When I ease the gas pedal down, it accelerates. When I mash on it hard, it putters at about 200 rpm's (doesn't quite die, though). And the power windows/ locks don't work.

 

To make things more exciting, the new (used) computer I got doesn't have working diagnostic lights. Well, it has them, but they don't work.

 

:furious: :allclean: & everyday for the past 2 weeks. Any takes?

[RDemoman]

ecm failures are rare and are usually caused by something else (poor grounds, physical damage) make sure your grounds are good before you cause a problem with the new one. is that ecm have the same options as your truck? I had a sentra in the shop a week ago same symptoms and the grounds at the ecm were rotten and it took out the computer (high resistance)

[Guest RoughTrailRider]

ecm failures are rare and are usually caused by something else (poor grounds, physical damage) make sure your grounds are good before you cause a problem with the new one. is that ecm have the same options as your truck? I had a sentra in the shop a week ago same symptoms and the grounds at the ecm were rotten and it took out the computer (high resistance)

I'll check all of the grounds again. I'm not sure if the new ecm has the same options. It shouldn't matter, should it? The windows and locks worked with the ecu completely disconnected at first. Those options aren't running through the ecu, I don't think.