[grgry4real]

New to forum joined today and running out of ideas. 2001 Xterra A/T. 231,000 miles. Died and got it home. Found no spark so checked distributor - rotating so appeared to not be timing belt - replaced with new distributor as online info showed it to be non-serviceable. Still no spark. Replaced Crank position sensor - still no spark. Now have Code P0340 cam position sensor. Have run several tests following Haynes manual and am running out of ideas. Cannot hear fuel pump when turning key to on - have checked relay and it appears to be working - have continuity to power wire at fuel pump connector on top of tank. Will a faulty pump cause no spark? Or am I looking at an ECM issue. Cannot get pump to run by jumping at relay connector. Have been checking for grounding issues and have not seemed to be able to find any issues there. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Rob

 

[Lee Clinton]

I'm having the same problem have you found the issue?

 

[kms1990]

I'm having the same problem have you found the issue?

The cam sensor is built into the distributor if you have a code p0340 you need a new distributor otherwise check the distributor for signs of failure such as metal shavings under the cap and rotor indicating bearing failure and then check the fuel sending unit as this is a common failure too.

 

[Lee Clinton]

I've already replaced both of those and the fuel pump still getting intermittent spark. Thanks though

 

[kms1990]

hm, any additional cel codes? otherwise it could be a rabbit hole.... i would suggest maybe finding another xterra at a junk yard where you should be able to get a used functional fuel pump cheap and swap and see if that fixes the issue, as you state you get power at the harness but dont seem to wild about it working. otherwise it sounds electrical somewhere. it may even be a bad mass air flow sensor (in the intake by the air filter) if this is bad you very well could gt no spark.

 

[Lee Clinton]

I put a new fuel pump in when it started a week ago. I chased it to the distrubutor I have power going in an no spark. Now that I replaced that and the crankshaft sensor I'm still in the same position. I'll check out the maf sensor now.

 

[kms1990]

I put a new fuel pump in when it started a week ago. I chased it to the distrubutor I have power going in an no spark. Now that I replaced that and the crankshaft sensor I'm still in the same position. I'll check out the maf sensor now.

So no spark and no fuel pump? Eh.... thats not leading us down a good road. I saw you verified the fuel pump relay as well. This is getting down to a wiring, ancillary sensor such as fuel temp, maf, or crank or bad ecu. when you did the crank sensor was it an oe brand part or generic parts store? nissans hate generic sensors like crank that are magnetic. nissan puts some fairly beefy magnets on the oe ones and the parts store branded ones tend to be smaller magnet wise and can actually cause more issues than they solve

 

[Lee Clinton]

The crank senor was a generic one. I'll order a oem one tonight. When I put the distrubtor in it cranked right up an ran to about 5 mins I set the timing an tightened it all up an it cranked back up fine. The next morning wouldn't start or it would it would run for a couple seconds an die.

 

[kms1990]

The crank senor was a generic one. I'll order a oem one tonight. When I put the distrubtor in it cranked right up an ran to about 5 mins I set the timing an tightened it all up an it cranked back up fine. The next morning wouldn't start or it would it would run for a couple seconds an die.

Yeah that honestly sounds like what the parts store crank sensors do on most nissans. I worked at autozone for almost 5 years i cant count how many times i told people to quit wasting their time changing these things from us, and just spend the money and get 1 from the dealer and not have to do it again. But few listened until the 2nd or 3rd+ time they had to change it.

 

[Lee Clinton]

I appecite all the help an will update when I get the new one in. Thanks again

 

[kms1990]

I appecite all the help an will update when I get the new one in. Thanks again

Please do

 

[Lee Clinton]

I talked to a nissan mechanic today he suggested getting another distrubutor he said the spectra brand I got are known to be faulty.

 

[kms1990]

Theyre not the best autozone and orielly house brands are a1cardone and ok

 

[Lee Clinton]

I'm still waiting on the new crankshaft sensor. When I was checking other things on it tonight I noticed when cranking that the tachometer wasn't moving at all an was told it should move slightly when cranking does that sound right?

 

[kms1990]

Quite honestley i have never paid enough attention to the tach while cranking to tell you 100% but it would make sense as the engine would be turning so it should register something with the tach.

 

[zehn-x]

This seems like a dumb question but have you checked the plug wires? I know haynes recommends it but thought I'd ask. I've replaced my wires a surprising number of times.

If you haven't, you can visually inspect for white scoring on the wires or watch in the dark for sparks while misting water onto the engine.

Also, are you getting any movement in the engine when you use the key? Any chance you misaligned the distributor when you replaced it? (this is what is sounds like:

)

 

[Lee Clinton]

Yes i checked the wires. When I put the new distrubtor in the started right up I turned it a little to get a better idle turned it off an tightened up up an started right up again an ran for 15 mins before I cut it off bc of the storms. Went to set the timing next day an wouldn't start.

 

[kms1990]

Yes i checked the wires. When I put the new distrubtor in the started right up I turned it a little to get a better idle turned it off an tightened up up an started right up again an ran for 15 mins before I cut it off bc of the storms. Went to set the timing next day an wouldn't start.

i know you were replying to the other guy but that is sounding more and more like crank sensor

 

[Lee Clinton]

I'm still waiting on the new one its taking for ever to get here an this weekend I'm trying a known good distrubtor too. Thanks for ideas from both of you.

 

[Lee Clinton]

I just put the known good distrubtor in it fired right up with a good idle but died after about 45 seconds the crankshaft sensors still isn't hear think I'm going to run to a dealership tomorrow an get one.