Sometimes hard engine start

2003 NISSAN ALMERA
72,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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MKHAN786
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i have hard time to start my car these days. most of time it start normal but some time its take so many cranks be start. i also got a indication service engine soon. i took to canadian tire they did the scan in my car its showing airflow sencer, Crank shaft sencer, engine speed sencer. they reset the computer to see i may get indication or not. i was driving in pavement road its working fine but as soon as i went on ruff road i got the indication service engine soon. plus some time it start giving me hard start. i really appricate if y can help me out here. i live in thompson.MB it really hard to get parts for nissan. i am thinking to change intake mass air flow sencer. and follow up slowly.
Nov 14, 2009 at 3:39 PM
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DAVE H
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start by replacing the mass airflow sensor and have the light turned off again .. see if any codes return !
Apr 26, 2010 at 5:23 AM
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MARKUS0
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My car has a hard time starting after sitting idle for 6 hours or so, (Cold climate)

I turn the key and it cranks for good 3 seconds before I stop, rest and crank again, it takes about 3-4 tries for the engine to turn over.

Once the engine has been running for a while I can start the car normally until it has been sitting for a while.

Car Idle is smooth, (RPM sits just below 1000 while in Park)

I took the car to a Nissan specialist and he connected the ground wire in the electrical system, and all that did was fix the speedometer and the RPM meter (which had stopped working)

I replaced spark plugs
I replaced starter
Battery charge was measured at around 50% at full charge (being replaced soon)

I took the car to the garage provided by the Nissan Dealership and they had it over night. They said that it was "maybe" the timing chain, and 1 out of 2 Oxygen Sensor was stuck at 0.29v and I was told it needed to be replaced.

They told me they needed to check the condition of the timing chain but I found that too expensive based on them saying it was "maybe" the cause of the problem.

They said nothing about the fuel system, I am not sure they even checked it.

The car runs smoothly, no backfires no misses, no loss in power.

light gasoline smell after having cranked for 3-4 seconds without results.

Doesn't seem anyone can diagnose my car without a bunch of "ifs and maybes"
Aug 20, 2019 at 3:13 PM (Merged)
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KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
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you should start by checking your charging system due to the 50% charge of the battery. it shouldn't be that low unless the battery is going ba dor its not charging. since the car only has a hard time after sitting im suspect of the battery. charge it fully before checking it, as half charged batteries WILL fail a load test.
Aug 20, 2019 at 3:13 PM (Merged)