1996 Altima 4 cyl. stalls, Codes displayed!

[lairdwd]

+1 on the distributor. It's a well known problem with the first gen altimas. For the o-ring - just get a variety pack at harbor frieght if you have one. As far as replacements go - you can get a pull off ebay for fairly cheap, or get a hitachi brand (hitachi = OEM) for half the price of the nissan brand. Reman distributors have a very high defect rate. I would be very careful there.

If you want more specific info, or ideas, one of the altima forums would be best. I suggest you start a thread, or do some research at club nissan website

 

[Jim Spahr]

My friend with this 96 Altima in question says he has looked at the distributor and there is no oil inside, so he askes if replacing the distributor is still the right thing to do. I would say no, it is time for a Nissan knowlegable mechanic to do some diagnostics. It could be a weak fuel pump for example. Like I said earlier, I am not familiar with Nissans. Any suggestions on this problem?

 

[Jim Spahr]

This Altima is still stalling when warm after at intervals. He has checked the distributor and it is dry, as in no oil, inside. What could it be other than the distributor? Any body with Nissan 2.4L experience have any ideas?

 

[quint]

You need to start with the basics, as its happening. You need the basic three to run: fuel, compression, spark. Since this is intermittent, lets rule out compression for now.

Get a can of starting fluid, and keep it handy.

The next time it stalls, remove the gas cap and try to start it. If nothing, pull a spark plug wire as someone cranks the engine. If you have no spark, you have a sensor, coil, or distributor issue.

If you do have spark, spray some starting fluid into the intake, and try to start it again. If it sputters or momentarily starts, you arent getting fuel. Check the fuel pump electrial connections for proper voltage, if its ok then you probably have a fuel filter thats either clogged or the fuel pump is on its way out. Replace it (or both).

 

[Jim Spahr]

My friend with the 96 Altima is still having this stalling problem. He asks if it could be a bad ignition coil. Remembe the stalling is intermittant when warm. I think it could be a bad coil. What do you think???

 

[Jim Spahr]

This morning I heard more info about the code scanner info. In addition to the original codes: P0325-Knock sensor, P0335-crankshaft position sensor(CKPS), and P1336-No definition, he now reports the following-
There is more info though. The I/M setting on the code reader gave these messages that I think may have something to do with the way the car runs. 1, Catalyst: Not Ready, 2. Oxygen Sensor: Not Ready, and 3. Exhaust Gas Rec.: Not Ready. I cleaned the EGR valve when I bought the car, so I do not know what that last one could mean.
What could these 'not ready'codes mean in relation to the stalling of the Atima? Any suggestions?

 

[Jim Spahr]

I posted the above and was wondering if the 'Not Ready' indication on the cat.,EGR, and the O2 are because they put the scanner on the car before the engine was fully warmed to oper. temp.?

 

[The_Eric]

If someone cleared the codes, that will also reset the readiness monitors.