Q: My check engine light came on two days ago. i checked the oil and other fluids what else should i check? 45,000 miles on the truck.
A: You have to go to a shop that has a scanner or buy/borrow one to retrieve trouble code.
The light comes on to tell you the computer has recognized and recorded a problem. (it's actually generic info, but a starting point)
Q: Check engine light is on. Tested computer, self diagnosis test mode III. A 4 red light flashes, and a 2 green light flashes. What does this mean?
A: Code 42........ red lights are 10's and green lights are 1's...... check code list for INDICATION of system fault..... You still need to confirm...
All the computer tells you is what part of the system it does not like.... not what is actually wrong..... Ed
Drive Train / Driveline Making Noise When driving Always
Q: When I turn I hear a clicking noise, and it is coming from the front left tire.
It only happens when I am going over 15 and when I turn either left or right.
A: I would check for looseness in the ball joints, and also if some play might be in the tie rod end.... Also the shock can cause this...... Ed
Electrical / Lighting Systems Malfunction Happens always Always
Q: My speedometer doesnt work and the check engine light is on.
Sometimes on long trips it will start to work and slowly come up to speed but if you turn off the ignition when you start the truck again it wont work again.
A: Sounds like a problem with the VSS, vehicle speed sensor. Check connections.
Need to read the codes the computer had stored (this happens when the check engine light is on).
Instructions on how to are to involved to type out. Just type "Nissan trouble code retrieval" into any i-net search... There are many sites with instructions.
jesse7779@hotmail.com
Q: My speedometer doesnt work, and the check engine light stays on.
Sometimes on long trips it will start working but when i shut off the ignition it will quit again.
A: You can check why the engine light is on.
under the passenger side of the seat is the ECM.
There is a little plastic screw on the side of the ecm.
Get a flashlight and look or you can take the seat out very easily {4 bolts}. Anyway, turn your key to the on position then turn the little screw on the side of the ecm fully clockwise and leave there for about 2 seconds then turn back completely counterclockwise.
Now watch your check engine light. It will flash the trouble code number. {example---5 slow flashes then 5 quick flashes is code 55 which means everything checks good.
A Haynes repair manual for your truck {about $14 dollars} available at most auto stores, explains this and lists all of the codes.
Electrical / Lighting Systems Malfunction Happens always Always
Q: Horn does not work. There is power in the steering wheel and the horn works if connected directly to the battery. The horn contacts on the steering wheel all check out with an electrical meter. Fuse is good and there is power to the fuse.
A: Check the relay if you have power at the wheel and it only blows with battery voltage then the relay is probably bad.
Electrical / Lighting Systems Malfunction Happens always Always
Q: Low-beam works OK, but when I switch to hi-beam, both headlights go out. Same result whether I switch to hi-beam or just hold the switch back. Headlights have been replaced.
A: I have a '90 that the brights work, but the left low beam goes out. The connection tests 12vDC w/ a meter, but when connected to a light drops to 0. Could this be the relays? Where are those things anyway?? brannonthomas@yahoo.com
I would definetly check your relays
Keets6981@hotmail.com
Check the headlight module if relays ok
Q: Recently, my truck has started to overheat.
I have 115k on it currently, and have already changed the thermostat in an effort to end with a cheap fix... not to be.
Do you have any other possible scenarios other than it being a water pump or radiator?
If this is the most likely culprit, what is the best way to home-diagnose?
A: When the engine is completely warmed-up, and also turned off, is the radiator warm to the touch all over??...
If there are any cold spots on the surface...the radiator is plugged.... Ed
Q: My engine is making a moderately loud "clicking" or "tapping" sound from the top end that sounds like a loose hydraulic lifter. However, this model does not have adjustable valves. The engine still runs great, and removal of the valve cover revealed no obvious answers.
A: It sounds like you have an oiling problem.
Run some oil system cleaner (I recommend chemtool) through it, follow the instructions for crankcase use, and change oil and filter immediately afterwards.
A: Check everything again , timing , coil , spark plugs are connected properly in their correct firing order , rotor button is present , and the fuel / air systems are functioning correctly .
A: It is turned on by the computer to let you know that something in the system is outside the perameters of correct operation...... you will have to diagnose for which code, and follow from there...... Ed
Drive Train / Driveline Making Noise Happens always Always
Q: the transmision has a rattling sound after you let the clutch out, no matter if it's in gear or not. when you depress the clutch the sound stops.
A: The rattling sound you hear could be one of 2 things. The most common failure is the throw out bearing which is what engages and disengages the clutch. The other thing which is a little more expensive would be that one of your bearings or synchronizers on the input shaft of the transmission is bad. Bearings will always let you know when they are about to die and the grinding and rattling sounds are classic in that respect. Either way the transmission must come off to remedy this situation. p.s. try the throw out bearing first because it is cheaper than taking the transmission apart.
Q: When I try to accelerate fast it loses power. It almost seems like it wants to flood out or like I have a restriction of gas flow somewhere. Now when I accelerate slow it works just fine, it also idles fine. I checked the pressure from my fuel pump it was good. I disconnected my cat-converter and it wasn't clogged but it still did the same thing. I checked my fuel filter and it was ok but they tell me that I have two (is this true). Does anyone have a clue!!!!! Pls Help
A: I am no mechanic but I had a vaccum leak under my breather and it did the same thing. check all you vaccum hoses.
Q: When I give the vehicle more than half throttle the engine cuts out, it acts like you put your hand over the top of the throttle body. It does this about 80 percent of the time. I have replaced the Throttle position sensor thinking that the old pot might have been faulty. I also changed the fuel filter and air filter. I cannot seem to figure out what is wrong. I had to replace the Alternater because it was putting out 18 Volts, the regulator died. Do you think this might have affected the computer in any way?
A: It is possible to affect the computer, but I would look first at fuel pressure and VOLUME measurements.... Ed
Electrical / Lighting Systems Malfunction Happens always Always
Q: The high beams don't work on my 1988 Nissan 4WD pickup.
The left low beam sometimes turns on, but if it does, it doesn't do so immediately.
I changed the bulbs and the two fuses.
I figure there is a loose connection somewhere, but I'm not sure where to look.
Thanks.
A: Sounds like some rusty poor grounds.....
Turn the lights on so they relect against something you can see easily and start wiggling any and all wires...
Start at the headlights and wiggle all along the harness...... good luck
Ignition System Won't Start Not applicable Not applicable
Q: There is fire to the distributor, but no fire from the distributor to the plugs.
The cap, rotor, wires, and module, and crank angle sensor have been replaced. What can I do next?
Thank you.
A: Check to make sure there is fire to the distributor during cranking, as well as - during what should be - the car running........
Also ensure the module triggers the coil.... otherwise it's the computer.......
Also check the ignition coil..... Ed
Ignition System Malfunction Happens sometimes When warm
Q: Sometimes after driving 15-20 miles in my 1985
nissan 720 4x4 pickup, I start to lose power. My speed starts slowing down and I cannot go any
faster.
I can put it in neutral and rev up the
engine. Then put it back in gear but still can't
pick up any speed. It is kind of like the throttle isn't connected.
I can pull over to the side of the road and kill the engine and sit for 15 minutes or so.
And take off and everything works fine for another 10-15 miles and then it does it again.
This does not happen all the time it may go a month before it does it or it may do it in 2 days.
Q: I hear no sounds, but betwen 4 and 5th gear i do not have the power to accelerate to even 65 mph unless i realy rev out the gears, then when i put it into 5th gear i slow down again!!
I need to know whats up. I previously owned a 84 nissan pickup that would blow the doors off of most with basically the same engine... my 84 had a z24 engine and the 85 has a z24s.
Now i know that the 85 is a 4x4 but i wouldn't think that i couldn't go at least 75 without a problem..
if you have any ideas please let me know..
mike
A: If it doesn't seem to be the engine, then I was wondering if it has the factory size tires? I have a 97 hardbody 2 wheel drive which I outran a friend's full-size chevy pickup (V8).
I later put bigger wheels and tires from a pathfinder on and had the exact symptoms you described. I couldn't go uphill without flooring it and I would still lose about 15-20 mph.
Anyway I hope this helps. Also 4x4's are a little heavier and slower.
Q: My truck started to run like it was running out of fuel. I am guessing it might be the fuel pump. I took the hose off of it and there is no suction what so ever. I just need a second opinion, because now it wont even start.
A: Check the fuel filter; also may be blockage in line coming from fuel tank, some mfg have ceramic or fiberglass filter inside the gas tank.
Electrical / Lighting Systems Other Not applicable Not applicable
Q: I inherited a 1984 Nissan Pickup from my father and unfortunately, the owner's manual is gone. I need to replace the brake light, but can not determine how to access the faulty light. Can you help me?
A: Go to your local parts store (Autozone, ect.) and purchase a "Haynes" manual (these range in price from $10 to $15) that will tell you everything you need to know about your truck.
But just for simplicty's sake there is usualy two screws in the tail/brake light itself. Remove them and you will be able to access the bulbs. If you have problems call Autozone (or your local parts store) and they can help walk you through it.
Q: My 1984 Nissan king cab truck will not start at times. Usually when the engine is warm. It may start after 15 minutes or several hours.
I replace the fuel pump several months ago but the problem still exists. I drive about 1500 miles a month and this problem occurs about once or twice a month.
A: were exactly is the turn signal relay located at
This way to the live technicians