Hi, to all the answer to my earlier post (signed nmay2k@yahoo.com). The problem was fixed when a distributor was purchased from an alternate source rather than the dealer. The dealers are apparently not aware that they are reselling cores that are not functional at higher temperatures.
I recently purchased a 1996 altima gxe automatic with 98k miles decent body for 2900
i though the price was a little on the low side especially when he immediately dropped it from 3400 when o showed the least bit of interest
The car ran fine for 1 week and after about 150 miles of use until the car lost spark on the 1 and 4 cylinders
After close examination, removal of the distributor and rotor and finally a dust cap I discovered about 2 tablespoons of oil belo the dust cap
There is a o ring here that seems to seal with the dust cap
Is this the o ring that everyone is talking about
If not where abd how much deeper would I have yo fo to locate it.
I have replaced the crank sensor in my '94 altima twice in the last year and it just went out again this morning. This makes it very difficult to get where you're going. Anyone know what the real fix to this problem is? I've been buying from a parts store and not a Nissan dealer.
The radio in my 1994 Altima GLE does not function any longer. This is a factory installed unit consisting of an AM/FM radio, cassette and CD player. None of the components operate (radio.CD or cassette). The unit suddenly lost power. No other electrical utiliy or option has failed (i.e., power windows, power door locks, etc.). Hope you can give some insight in diagnosing this problem. This car has a nice sound system and I truly would like to have the function restored.
Thanks in advance, Ronny"
My 1994 Nissan Altima failed smog at 111,010 miles. The measured NOX readings are 1027 at 15 mph and 888 at 25 mph. The EGR valve was checked to be working condition. Do I need the catalytic converter replaced? What else should I check?
I have a 94 Nissan Altima that has a few problems. First is it leaks oil from the front passanger side. Oil was leaking into the distributor at one point and I had to have it replaced, then I had all the seals replaced as the shop could not find where it was leaking from. It still leaks. But my main problem is that it keeps blowing the fuse to the speedometer. I was told it was a bad voltage regulator in the alternator I have replaced the alternator 4 times now and still have the exact same problem. It has gotten to the point that as soon as you put the car is put into drive it will blow the fuse. HELP.
I have a 94 altima, and just dealt with that very problem. Had to take it to the "$" nissan dealer to track the problem down. Some how the "shift lock" device was blowing the same fuse. (step on the brake... -blown) He simply removed it, and now I can shift the car into drive without depressing the brake first.
I just bought a 94 Altima GXE and it stalls!! I will be driving on the highway and then it would start sputtering and losing power, then I would shut it off and turn it on real quick and it would take go!!
This is extremely frustrating to do... and if I am on the local roads and go a block then get to a stop sign, the car still would have to be shut off and restarted, then it would take off... any ideas?
I was told maybe new spark plugs and wires might be the key.
1995 Altima - Rough idle, sputtering, lousy gas mileage. Where do I start? I replaced the distributor about 10,000 miles ago. Car has 170,000 miles. Could it be the fuel pump? I drove this car 80 miles at 60 MPH and went through about 1/3 tank of gas. Getting tired of spending on this car. Thanks!
I think this is really funny, but really frustrating. I too have a 94' Nissan Altima and it dies on me sometimes. I have come to no other conclusion then the wire that connects the alternator to the battery is messed up some how, since I've gone through 2 batteries; thank goodness I have them in warranty.
Also the alternator 3 times. One time it would test fine at Auto Zone, 3 times passed, then 3 times failed, so I am going to check those wires, and I heard that if you bypass the wires and make a ground straight to the battery, that might bypass the wire issue, so I'm going to try that, and hopefully it is the wires, cuz I don't know what else to do.
I also have a 94 Altima.
If your car dies all the sudden, and then at other times when you shut the car off and come back to it again, it won't start... It's your distributor leaking oil. The distributor has an optical sensor in it, and it gets covered with oil due to bad seals in the distributor.
Unless you are very mechanically inclined, order an alternator off eBay and replace it. If you are very mechanically inclined, you can disassemble VERY carefully the distributor and look for the numbers on the internal seals. Then look for a bearing shop and you should be able to track down the internal seals, which should be cheap. But be very careful because you can bend the thin metal wheel and then you are screwed!
As a temporary roadside fix, you need a flatblade screwdriver, 8mm socketwrench, and a can of brake parts cleaner (the regular quick drying kind); unscrew the dist cap with the flatblade, unscrew the rotor with the 8mm socket, and remove the dustcover carefully. Soak the distributor and dustcap with brakeparts cleaner. Make sure to spray inside the black sensor. Then let it dry for a minute or two. Once everything is dry put it all back together and it should run fine! Then start saving the money for a new distributor; a rebuilt one at Autozone is $150.
I also have a 94 Altima GXE, and recently had the same problems described... the car started running rough, losing power at highway speeds, dying unexpectedly and starting again a few minutes later. I spent many hours researching this topic, and found that there are MANY possible answers to this problem, but the most common is the answer given above. The crank seal that keeps the oil from passing the distributor shaft is prone to failure in this model car, and causes the optical sensor to go out when it fills with oil.
However, there are a few other things you will want to check before you go with distributor (Once you pop the dust cover and see its filled with oil, theres a 99% chance that's the cause of your problems), you also want to check the Transistor found on the air filter, and make sure it Ohms out correctly. The wiring harness that connects to the coil is in a bad place also, and is prone to fraying and corrosion. Check the wires coming into the plug to see if they are still connected fully. Check your air/fuel filters, plug wires, plugs, all the easy stuff. If you check all these items, and still have the problems described, it is fair to say it's your distributor. And if you had it replaced with a junk yard distributor, and it still has problems, you may have gotten a bad distributor. The KA engine is notorious for having that seal go bad.
Wow so many common problems on the 94 Altima!
My radio has been out for two years. The antenna goes up and down ghostlike when it wants to.
My alternator, starter, and battery have all gone to crap over the last winter.
I am @ 199,020 miles. I really just want another year out of my beast!!!
Tonight's project - distributor.
I also have a 1994 Altima, same problems! But the difference between mine, is it would die just about every day a few times over the past year, since I've owned it... I've read about the oil in the dist. Sure enough I have oil in there. I changed the 2 dollar o-ring on the end, and it still does the same thing, but my problem has gotten extremely worse over the past 2 weeks... after 3 miles the car will do some extreme jerking motions, check engine light flashes, and then the car dies... cam sensor and knock sensor show up on the ECU... I know for a fact the knock sensor has been disconnected for a year, and have never had problems with that.. is this the cam sensor taking its final crap??
Here is the mind boggler... now after I drive it for 3 miles, and it dies on me, I will turn the key, and NOTHING will happen, not even a click, or a single light, not even my automatic doors will lock.
I plan on replacing the DIST today... but is this a ECU, IGNITION SWITCH or GROUND issue?? Now when it dies too, my wipers will wipe by themselves... weird. I have a hard time believing the oily distributor would make your car not even do anything...
The battery is 1 year old, just replaced a bad fuel injector last week, they test fine now. Fuel pump is whining like it should, and replaced all the plug wires.
I just bought a 1994 Altima and the speedometer doesn't work or the temp gauge.
I have changed the speed sensor and the temp sensors to no avail. I'm suspecting the wiring harness, but I can't find a wiring diagram with pin out to check continuity.
Does anyone know where I can find one? Or has anyone had this same problem? Other than that, the car seems to run fine.