I could really use some help with my sentra 02

[carlito177]

For the past couple years I've been having problems with my 2002 manual sentra. Some of the sensors (particularly the crank sensor) keep shorting out on me. My engine cuts out while I'm driving.

Each occurence was months apart. The first two times it happened to me I took it to a shop and replaced them. The third time I took it to the dealership and they told me I had to replace the main computer and the crank sensor. After I got the repair done nissan paid for the it along with the previous two outside repairs. The reason for this was suppose to be that their was a recall for a piece of plastic in the main computer that they never told me about.

The car ran great for a year then the other day the engine cut out on me again with no warning at all. I took it to the dealership and they told me that I needed to change the crank sensor but it was covered by warranty.

I know the problem is going to keep happening, if it's within the next year warranty will still cover it. My goal is to find a long term fix. Only thing the dealership could tell me was that the parts of the car are taxing to much on the crank sensor so they recomended:
90k mile service ($540)
Throttle bottle and fuel injector service ($190)
Nothing at all relating to a problem with the computer or my engine check light which they want $120 just to turn off.

I'm going in soon for my oil/ filter change, air filter change, and to get a manual transmission service(been a while since I had one so I'm getting the full flush).

I don't know a whole lot about engines but I like my manual sentra and aside from this problem it's been really dependable. Any suggestions or insights into what I should do are much appreciated.

Thanks,
Carlito

[AceCombat]

get it fixed if it's under warranty it will solve your problem with the car cutting out. As for the tranny flush i wouldn't bother if your not having any problems. Throttle body and injector cleaning go buy some injector cleaner and throw it in a full tank of gas might cost you 10 dollars plus the gas. your 90K service is new plugs about 30 bucks an oil change and an air filter might cost 35 dollars. you can do all of this stuff yourself or pay a mom and pop garage to do it. your dealership is screwing you bad. this is my opinion.

[carlito177]

Thanks for the reply. I also get the feeling the dealership is screwing me. I'm gonna read up on injector cleaner and check it out at auto zone.

The flush wasn't recommended by anyone. I just saw that it's suggested you do a transmission service every 30,000 miles and it's been over 60,000 since I did even a partial flush. I can also do the 75% flush which cost a little less at $65. Sometimes when my car is cold my transmission can feel a little bumpy when I'm in first gear.

I can replace the plugs myself and just go in for an oil and air filter change that's pretty cheap. The main reason they wanted to do the service though was to change lines, mainly the radiator line.

As far as the warranty goes they replaced the computer and the sensor and they're both currently working. I just have a feeling the sensor will short again. The dealership said all they can do is a diagnostic and turn off the engine light which combined would be $120. There's a good chance they're not going to find anything but I'm figuring I might as well, especially if I save with the injector service.

[carlito177]

Well they said to change that radiator line and just last night my car ovewrheated and my radiator sprung a leak.

My grandfather use to be a mechanic so he suggested we change out the radiator and thermostat (some people have been telling me that in this climate we don't need thermostats...I live in Miami,FL). My grandfather said the lines look like they don't need replacing so I'm guessing it was just a coincidence that the dealer recommended that I change my radiator line.

So I went to autozone and picked up a couple things
-new radiator $126
-new thermostat
-block sealer
-fuel system cleaner

I just want to keep my car alive for the next to years. Starting in august I'm going to have to be driving alot and relying heavily on my car.

Any other suggestions as to maintenance I can do to keep things running smoothly? I'm not doing the 90k service but I'm still thinking of doing the manual-transmission flush. As for the sensor...I'm still waiting to deal with nissan about that.

[boyrs]

the magnet sensor (what your crank sensor is) creates a magnetic field around itself, and when the crank (or cam) gets in range, it sets off a pulse to the ECU that occurs every rotation of the crank or cam shafts.
i don't really see stress causing a new one to fail, would almost seem like it's shorting the new one out somehow. when i had issue with crank sensor, my car didn't shut off, the MIL came on and i replaced both the cam and crank sensors and she's been running fine (never took her in for recall)

i'd actually check my wires between the sensor and the ECU to make sure there are no loose connections, what other sensors gave you problems? what codes are you throwing besides crank sensor? you might be looking at a faulty wiring harness. (check to make sure no rodents have chewed any wires or anything like that, also check for heat damage)