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Xterra Random Start problem

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ARCTICboy
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Make/Model: Xterra
Year: 2002

Xterra Random Start problem

Post by ARCTICboy »

Hello....

Just wondering if anyone can help me out. I have a intermittent starting problem on my 2002 Xterra SC.

- Starter has been replaced 5 months ago
- Plugs, plug wire, cap and rotor replace 8 months ago
- Fuel pump and fuel filter replaced 1 year ago
- Battery replaced 1year ago
- MAF replaced 5 years ago and is clean.

No check engine light and only code was a Knock sensor code.

It doesn't seem to be a heat or cold issue, has started in -30 and +5 so far this winter.

When it does refuse to start it turns over fine but never seems to catch, almost like a fuel starvation issue. It has only once died on my while driving, no jerking or any preliminary signs just total shut off from the motor. 20 minutes later it restarted and was fine.

Could it be a sensor or possibly the Distributor?

Thank you for reading this :)

Marcus
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Adam
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Make/Model: Xterra SE SC
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Re: Xterra Random Start problem

Post by Adam »

Sounds like a classic distributor issue. To confirm you can take the cap off and look for any red/brown/gold coloured dust or flakes. It usually runs fine when cold but acts up when warm. What's the mileage on it?

FYI watch out for the primary cat converters breaking down and getting sucked into the motor. I killed my first engine that way.
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ARCTICboy
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Year: 2002

Re: Xterra Random Start problem

Post by ARCTICboy »

Hi Adam.

Thank you for the reply.

It has 281,oooKm. It doesn't seem to be temp issue. It sometimes will not start when cold or hot. Mostly cold I would say.
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Adam
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Re: Xterra Random Start problem

Post by Adam »

I'd still take the distributor cap off and check for dust/flakes. If there is any then the bearing has failed.
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There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. -Frank Zappa
ARCTICboy
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Re: Xterra Random Start problem

Post by ARCTICboy »

Cool. Going to have a look at it tomorrow. Thanks for the help.
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Adam
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Re: Xterra Random Start problem

Post by Adam »

Let us know what you find.
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There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. -Frank Zappa
ARCTICboy
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Year: 2002

Re: Xterra Random Start problem

Post by ARCTICboy »

All is good under the cap.

Could it be a knock sensor telling the computer to not send fuel?
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Adam
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Re: Xterra Random Start problem

Post by Adam »

The knock sensor just robs you of your power/boost when it is bad. 99% of the no start problems on these trucks are caused by the damn distributor lol.
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There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. -Frank Zappa
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