1996 Nissan Altima COLD STARTING

1996 NISSAN ALTIMA
166,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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CVX59
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REPLACED DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY(NO HELICAL GEAR REPLACEMENT WAS DONE) BECAUSE OF OIL LEAK. COLD STARTING PROBLEM EVER SINCE. STARTS OK WHEN AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE. REPLACED NEW DISTRUBUTOR WITH A USED ONE...NO CHANGE. SET TIMING, CHECKED SPARK PLUGS. CHECKED INJECTION GROUNDS. MECHANIC SAID LIGHT ON READING INSTRUMENT WAS SOMEWHAT DIM. ALSO REPLACED ENGINE DIAGNOSTICS MODULE. NO CHANGE. CAR WAS IN TOO DIFFERENT SHOPS FOR MORE THAN A MONTH. THEY DIDN'T WANT TO KEEP CHANGING PARTS WITH NO RESULT, SO THEY GAVE UP.
May 29, 2010 at 4:08 PM
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KHLOW2008
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Hi CVX59,

Thank you for the donation.

Was any trouble codes retrieved?

Did you check the fuel pressure?
May 30, 2010 at 8:58 AM
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CVX59
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THE CODES WERE CHECKED BUT NOT THE FUEL PRESSURE.
May 30, 2010 at 4:43 PM
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CVX59
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I WILL CHECK WITH THE REPAIRMAN TUESDAY TO CONFIRM THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE WAS/WAS NOT CHECKED. THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME...
May 30, 2010 at 4:48 PM
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KHLOW2008
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What was the trouble code retrieved?
May 31, 2010 at 9:45 AM
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CVX59
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I TALKED TO MY MECHANIC. I ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION INCORRECTLY.
1. NO TROUBLE CODES WERE RETRIEVED. BUT THE STEPS DONE TO RETRIEVE THEM WERE TAKEN. ALSO REPLACED THE COMPUTER MODULE. (THIS WAS A GUESS).
2. FUEL PRESSURE WAS GOOD AND HELD STEADY. GASOLINE WAS REPLACED. THOUGHT THERE MIGHT BE WATER IN THE FUEL.
3. SPARK PLUGS WERE WET WITH GASOLINE.
4. FIRING SYSTEM CHECKED-OUT OK.
Jun 1, 2010 at 10:36 PM
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KHLOW2008
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Since the problem is only with cold starting, I would suggest checking the Engine Coolant Temperature sensor readings.
Jun 2, 2010 at 8:22 AM
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CVX59
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OK. I WILL DO THAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Jun 2, 2010 at 10:28 PM
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CVX59
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HOW DO I CHECK THE ENGINE COOLANT TEMP. READINGS ON THIS CAR? IS IT MORE THAN ONE READING? WHERE IS IT LOCATED ON THE CAR?
Jun 2, 2010 at 10:30 PM
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KHLOW2008
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You would need appropriate equipments to do that. Some scanners are able to do it.
Jun 3, 2010 at 7:44 AM
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CVX59
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OK. THANK YOU.
Jun 3, 2010 at 9:26 AM
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KHLOW2008
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You're welcome.
Jun 4, 2010 at 10:29 AM