1995 Villager Start/Stall issues

[charliemaxwell]

My 1995 villager has developed a hard start/stalling issue that only occurs when the engine has warmed up to operating temperature. During the hard start episodes, the engine does not seem to be getting any gas. I have replaced the following with the hopes of correcting the issue:

1) Fuel filter
2) Distributor cap and rotor
3) Spark plugs and wires
4) Ignition control module

I've pulled the vacume line from the fuel pressure regulator. No sign of fuel, so I don't think the fuel pressure regulator is bad. I also cleaned the cam position sensor from within the distributor. This did not correct the problem.

Anyone have any ideas? I've read through similar posts in the forums. I see a lot of people have had this issue, but I haven't found anyone posting a "fix."

[dzus]

The "fix" is replacing the distributor.

[charliemaxwell]

Originally Posted by dzus

The "fix" is replacing the distributor.

Ouch, the distributor is the part I did not want to replace. The van isn't worth much due to its age and mileage. Is there a way to troubleshoot to determine that it is bad?

Thanks in advance.

[tempfixit]

dzus recommendatuion may be very right but have you checked the fuel pump pressure with a fuel gauge once the problem exists? Worth a try. I believe you need to connect the fuel pressure tester in the fuel filter location.

[charliemaxwell]

Originally Posted by tempfixit

dzus recommendatuion may be very right but have you checked the fuel pump pressure with a fuel gauge once the problem exists? Worth a try. I believe you need to connect the fuel pressure tester in the fuel filter location.

No, I haven't located a fuel pressure guage to test it yet. However, it would be a pretty simple test to run. I've got a couple more people to ask so I might turn one up by the weekend.

[tempfixit]

Go to this site and download a Factory Service Manual, should have distributor testing procedure:

http://phatg20.net/index.php

Go to main menu on left center of page and click on downloads. Go thru process and click on Nissan Manual.

If this doesn't work for you PM me and I will send info.

Hope this helps

[charliemaxwell]

Originally Posted by tempfixit

Go to this site and download a Factory Service Manual, should have distributor testing procedure:

http://phatg20.net/index.php

Go to main menu on left center of page and click on downloads. Go thru process and click on Nissan Manual.

If this doesn't work for you PM me and I will send info.

Hope this helps

Thanks for the link. I had no trouble finding and downloading the information. I'll be reviewing it later on tonight. I'm also going to save the url in favorites because it looks like there is quite a bit of useful information there.

I'll keep you posted, although I don't anticipate having much time to actually work on the van until the weekend.

Again, thanks for the link.

[charliemaxwell]

Update: The problem appears to be resolved.

Cleaning the mass air flow sensor and the butterfly up towards the manifold did nothing to cure the issue. A fuel pressure check showed normal. I checked the resistance of the coil and it was also in specs. I jumped the terminals for the engine diagnostics. All I received was code 55, which means the computer was reading "normal."

Regardless of what I did, I could not cure the stalling/hard start issue. As I said before, the car appeared to not be receiving gas. On a hunch, I went back to the fuel pump relay and began to investigate it further. Apparently, when it began to get hot, it would shut down the circuit to the fuel pump and that was what was causing the stall/hard start issue. Once it cooled, it would start again. Since I replaced the relay, a $15.00 part, the car has not stalled or been hard to start since.

Hopefully, my frustrations ... my time and my efforts will save someone else from the same troubles I had. I had previously tested the relay with a multimeter, but the trouble only happened when it was hot. Therefore, testing it cold did not reveal the issue.