cranks but will not start intermittently

You need to check to see if there is injector pulse. I have a feeling you may have an ECM that is out or a fuse that is blown. Here is a guide to help you with checking the injector pulse:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-fuel-injector

Here is a guide to check the fuses. There is an injector fuse # 55

Plus a load of others including# 1, 14, 48, 52, 53, 54

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Check out the diagrams (below) I have found the engine wiring so you can see from yourself the fuse configuration.

Please run this test and get back to us so we can keep helping you.

Cheers

Today I took it out a long drive and when I came back and stopped the truck, I was able to restart it a few times no problem, even checked it an hour later and it started?

It would not do this if the fuel pump was not working or the distributor was not working? maybe the crank sensor? or an injector(s) got stuck?

It would no be a crank sensor because yo would have no spark. Should not be just one injector, because as soon as it hit a good one it would still turn over. But to make sure your getting fuel to all cylinders, disconnect your spark plugs, leaving the holes open. then crank the car a couple of times. You should be able to smell gas coming out of all your cylinders. To then clear the gas out, reconnect your spark plugs and pull the fuse for your fuel pump. Crank again to get the gas out.

If I hear the fuel pump and the fuel filter is okay. then what could be the problem if fuel is not getting to the engine?

I still will pull out the plugs and check for fuel and check the injector pulse.

I will let you know. Thanks for the input.

let me take a shot at this. spray heavy dose of starting fluid and see if the engine will turn over with combustion. if it does you can pretty much conclude is a fuel control problem. if it does not then it is a timing problem and i mean ignition, cam, injectors, whatever that is not correctly timed.

When you plug a wire out in open air to verify spark on a cold start if you put your injector pulse through a scope your computer get a signal as starting it length at least four times on injector pulse to richen up the system in order to start so if you do not have a signal and get extra fuel to kick start, guess what it is not happening?

If this is an intermediate problem on this guy then we can pretty much rule out compression, if you have bad mechanical problem it is not happening no matter what.

Service writer maybe right on coolant temperature sensor which is another form of fuel control. As a mechanic who makes a living on commission no time for that research and development spray and it does not work then i do not have to pull scope, scanner and move on to something else. what do you think guys?

Starter signal takes the place of the cold start valve to lengthen the pulse width for the initial enrichment especially in toys. If the PCM does not see it, it will kill injectors-just like the Ne and G signals no fuel. Also the CTS will affect fuel delivery.

I changed the distributor cap, rotor, and plug wires and it started with good idle, the four times I tried. The next night I tried starting the truck and it would crank but not fire!! After about six to eight tries, I was able to start the truck. took it for a ten minute drive, came back, turned off the engine and tried to start it and it would not. I took out spark plug number one and it was dry, checked it for spark and there was. Did the same for spark plug number three with the same results.

Does this sound like a fuel delivery problem now? What should I check? Senors? I have not "check engine light on" nor any codes coming up. What gives?

In frustration brought it to the dealer, replaced the distributor also, changed the fuel pump relays around and I still seem to have this intermittent start.

They checked everything no codes, fuel pressure was good, sensors were fine. They were not able to get the truck not to start so it was hard to pinpoint. Then I get it home and it does not start. Could any of the sensors, like coolant temperature, cranks position sensor, camshaft sensor work intermittently?

When it does not crank and I check the plugs, they are dry.. so no fuel is getting to them, but why?

Thanks for any input. boy I hope the next person can learn from my posts.

Hey
Pathfinder,

Like Kin says, next time it does not start, you need to access the throttle body and spray some starting fluid or similar into it and crank it to verify the no fuel situation. We need to verify the lack of fuel or not. Intermittent are a bear.

The problem was the relay for the fuel injectors was not working properly, so by changing the relay it solved everything. That is why no fuel was getting into the cylinders.

Thanks all for your help. Hope this helps someone else.

From Ken: The location of the relay in the post below

hi pathfinderrs, I am having the some problem you were having when I read through this when I see how you fixed it. I went looking for that relay on my pathfinder but could not find it anywhere so could you please tell me where about is the fuel injectors relay? I have a 2001 pathfinder.

Hey Damien,

Yes, I got you covered and found this for you.

Please let us know what you find so it will help others.

Best, Ken

I have the same problem i have a Pathfinder 2008. i noticed that if i do not used the truck for more than twelve hours it cranks but will not turnover. Any idea what could be the problem?

Hey PATHFINDER 2008,

When the engine does not start do you hear the fuel pump running in the tank? Also, check for spark, this will help us narrow it problem down to a system.

Here is a guide to help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please let us know happens so it will help others.

Best, Ken

My 1996 Pathy has the same problem. But each time I put in a new Fuel Pump Relay it starts right up, but it wont start after an hour or more. Just cranks and won't fire or even try to turn over. Could it be clogged catalytic converters?

It sounds more like the fuel pump is going out. When the engine does not start lets check the fuel pressure

Here is a guide to help you see what you are in for when doing the test.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

and if weak here is a guide and some diagrams (below) to show you how to change the pump out.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-electric-fuel-pump

Please let us know what happens so it will help others.

Cheers, Ken

I have the same problem. Intermittent no start. It seems like when the engine gets hot and you shut it off. Try and start it about 15 minutes later and it won't. Cranks but won't go. Wait 20 minutes. Fires right up. Always fires up on cold start. Replaced distributor, spark plugs, fuel filter. During no start, it is getting spark. Made sure it wasn't starting and then sprayed the starting fluid and it fires right up. So now we can confirm fuel. But what do we try next? We replaced the fuel pump relay. There is no fuel injector relay-it is a fuse.

This sounds like a crankshaft angle sensor that has gone out what year is your car so I can get you diagrams?

Cheers, Ken

Hi Ken, it's a 1999

Okay here is a guide that will show you what you are in for when doing the job.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/crankshaft-angle-sensor-replacement

Here is the location for your car (below)

Please let us know what you find. I'm interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken

Ken,
I replaced fuel pump then cleaned fouled spark plugs and it started. But now my engine light is on and it does not Rev up as quickly as it used to(it seems to miss slightly if I push the throttle too quickly where as before I could rev up fast without the delay), but sounds smooth when rpm's are up.
???
Could an exhaustive leak around my manifold be having an affect?

O yes big time the exhaust system can not leak or it throws the mixture off via the oxygen sensors.

Ken,
Spark plugs were gas fouled. Got new ones and it started. I guess it WAS the fuel pump. But then my plugs got fouled trying to start it.

Thanks for your replies.

Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help

Cheers, Ken

Hello Ken,

I have a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder 4.0L,
Intermittent start issue, spins over but won’t start. I can remove the positive battery cable for 1 minute and then reinstall, and the vehicle will start right up.

What could this be?

Hello,

This sounds like the PCM is going out because you reset it when the battery is discounted much like you reboot a computer. I would try a used or rebuilt unit and plug it in to see what happens. Here is the location:

We can try to run the codes but I don't think it will show anything.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken

I stopped and had the codes pulled today. The only code listed was a P0448 (EVAP) code. I don’t think that is the culprit though.

I will check out the PCM as per your suggestion.

Thanks!

Yep, that is what I would do. please let me know.

Hello Ken,

I have a 2002 Pathfinder Ti and have intermittent start but only when the car is hot, Have had a new fuel pump put in plug fuel filter, new crank sensor and had new spark plugs put in but it is still doing it. I am about ready to trade it in

Hello,

I have nsee the engine coolant sensor short out "hot" causing the engine not to start we should run the codes even though it may not pick up this problem. Here is the location of the coolant sensor so you can check it out. (rear of the engine)

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

We just got a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder! And now we realized it intermittently starts! I can't believe this happened. we should have done our research more (sign). The mechanic said everything is new in the car, and has been replaced.. we have the code of P0430. What could be the problem?

When the engine wont start, turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the fuel pump run in the tank for 5 seconds? Also we need to check for spark.

This guide will help us:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.

I'm having around about the same problem with my 1993 Hardbody with 2.4. The only difference is mine hasn't started in at least 5 months after draining has tank because had old gas in tank.

Hi,

Have you checked for spark and fuel to the engine? Try this: See if it starts for a couple of seconds and then stalls using starting fluid. If it does, then we know it's a fuel-related issue. If there is no change, check for spark to the plugs.

Here is a link you may find helpful for testing:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

I have a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder LE I just replaced my fuel pump and filter because they went out and now I am having these problems my car will start when cold for 15 to 20 minutes maybe and then die. I start it right back up and it’ll run for 5 minutes then dies again and won’t start until it is cold I’ve seen it could be my MAF, Distributor or crankshaft position sensor.

Yes, it could be these things but can I ask if you have scan the car for codes?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

This will help us get going in the right direction to help fix the car.