This morning my daughter went out at 7am to warm up my truck as she normally does for me.. I went out 10 minutes or so later and it had cut off.. This has never happened.. When i tried to crank it back up.. wouldnt start.. It turned over.. sounded like it could crank but just wouldnt get to that point.. all lights, radio, etc are working.. battery is a year old.. Timing belt has been changed also maybe 3 years ago.

My hubby is a dud when it comes to mechanical work.. so any help you can give me is greatly appreciated!!!!

If it did start, and ran for a bit, and then died and refused to re-start...the first thing I would check is to be sure it didn't run out of gas.

:D

This would cause the exact symptoms, cranking, but not catching, as well as dying in the first place.

---------------

After that, it could be several other issues, but the distributer, fuel pump, spark plug/wire issues, etc, are less likely to fail while running like that, but it DOES happen.

Putting a code reader on it and seeing if the computer threw a code or two would be helpful.

:wink-big:

The gas was the first thing i checked, and has a 1/2 tank.. That is exactly what it sounds like though... Because it would turn over, and i was scared i would flood it if i continued to try to start it..

.... Timing belt has been changed also maybe 3 years ago....

Timing Belt:

Even if it hass been replaced, it could still be the timing belt (same symptoms as you have if it were broken).

You can check to see if the timing belt is broken by pulling off the distributor cap and seeing if the rotor turns when you crank the engine (you'll need someone to help you crank or watch). Theoretically, if the router doesn't turn, it could be the timing belt or the distributor but chances are, its the belt.

.... The gas was the first thing i checked, and has a 1/2 tank....

That is a very relative statement. You either checked the GAS GAUGE or you CHECKED THE GAS TANK. Which did you do? I suggest you put a gallon of gas in it just for fun if you haven't figured this out yet.

The gauge can tell you its 1/2 full when it might be empty.

That is EXACTLY what happened to my neighbor on her car (can't remember what it was, small GM I think) last year - she had just driven it home from her detail shop after buying it used from an auction (to flip). She called me to come over and help her as she was broke down in the middle of the street.

I took a quick look after pushing it to the side of the road.... turned it over a few times and said, "you're out of gas." She looked at me as though I was a nut and said, but it shows 1/4 tank. I told her,"I don't care what it says, I think you're out of gas." I could tell just by the way it sounded (ok an maybe a bit of luck and witchcraft). Sure as the devil (so to speak), we dumped 1-gallon of gas in it and it started right up.

Reminds me of a quote from Stranger In A Strange Land: This is very useful in any trouble- shooting situation. Don't assume variable #2, #3, #4, etc. based on variable #1. And, just because variable #1 was one way a few minutes ago does not mean it did not change (and sometimes, measuring something can actually change it - quantum physics). And symptoms/variables can be intermittent. (if Murphy is a busy boy in CT today). :aufkopfhauen-big:

"Fair Witnesses are prohibited from drawing conclusions about what they observe. As a demonstration, Harshaw asks Anne to describe the color of a house in the distance. She responds, "It's white on this side". Harshaw explains that she would not assume knowledge of the color of the other sides of the house without being able to see them. Furthermore, after observing another side of the house would not then assume that any previously seen side was still the same color as last reported, even if only minutes before."

Another good one is" "... this has more aspects than a cat has hairs."

Another possibility: Fuel Sending Unit


From this SilverDude's How To on the forum: http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16647

"The fuel sending unit going bad is a fairly common problem on 1st gen Xterra's. In my specific case the Xterra would run for 20 minute intervals before choking itself out. After a short while I would be able to restart and drive another short distance before it would shortly die out again."

timing belt:

reminds me of a quote from stranger in a strange land: This is very useful in any trouble- shooting situation. Don't assume variable #2, #3, #4, etc. Based on variable #1. And, just because variable #1 was one way a few minutes ago does not mean it did not change (and sometimes, measuring something can actually change it - quantum physics). And symptoms/variables can be intermittent. (if murphy is a busy boy in ct today). :aufkopfhauen-big:


grok?

and the winner is.....

FUEL SENDING UNIT!!! It was recalled and i didnt know it.. Thanks for your input!!!!!

oops

and the winner is.....

FUEL SENDING UNIT!!! It was recalled and i didnt know it.. Thanks for your input!!!!!

That's interesting (see below)

Did dealer tell you when you brought it in?

================================================== =======

RECALL: 2000 - 2003 Nissan XTerra
NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V230000
www.nhtsa.dot.gov

Manufacturer NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Recall Date: 05/24/2004
Potential Number Of Units Affected: 586196
Description FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY : FUEL PUMP

Summary

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SIX CYLINDER ENGINES AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOUR OR SIX CYLINDER ENGINES, THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT CAN DEVELOP A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC MOLDING. THIS CAN CAUSE THE TERMINAL STRIP TO CORRODE UNDER SOME ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.

Consequence

IF CORROSION OCCURS, THE TERMINAL STRIP COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP OPERATION. THIS WILL RESULT IN NOT BEING ABLE TO START THE ENGINE OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

IN THE FOLLOWING STATES, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT. THESE STATES ARE CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THE OTHER STATES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE SENDING UNIT FOR CORROSION. IF CORROSION IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE UNIT. IF THERE IS NOT CORROSION, THE DEALER WILL APPLY SEALANT TO THE TERMINAL HOUSING TO HELP PREVENT CORROSION IN THE FUTURE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

grok?

Not only "grok", but grok JCL... scary yes?

Yes. I doubt more than a couple more people on this site know what JCL is used for. I started on mainframe computers back in 1973 as a "burster room" operator. I moved up the chain and was a supervisor for 25 years. Next I was a manager for 10 years and now I am a senior operations analyst. They combined two manager positions and I lost out.

That's what really pissed me off. When i called the dealer where i purchased the vehicle to see if they had the part.. he had to order it and it would be $85.. He never told me it was recalled.. I did a lil research online about that part and saw where mine may have been recalled.. i called NISSAN USA, and they said YEAP it was.. and the dealer SHOULD have told me.. I wasnt very nice when i called back... But its fixed.. we just got 10-14inches of snow over the weekend that's why i wanted it fixed asap!

Thanks again for your help!!