The dealership put a new computer in the engine of my 2001 Maxima, and it still doesn't start. They can't figure it out. A friend said to bring it to a high performance place with better equipment?

I took it back and they put in a second new computer... still won't work. They suggested I sell the car for scrap (after putting in close to $12K in repairs). What I need to know is WHERE to take it now. I took it back and they put in a second new computer... still won't work. They suggested I sell the car for scrap (after putting in close to $12K in repairs). What I need to know is WHERE to take it now.

That depends on WHERE you are! Do you have a repair center in your area called "The Answer"? That depends on WHERE you are! Do you have a repair center in your area called "The Answer"?

Diagnostic computers have been standard in vehicles sold in America since 1997. Do you have a check engine light illuminated on the dash? Diagnostic computers have been standard in vehicles sold in America since 1997. Do you have a check engine light illuminated on the dash?

No, the check engine light wasn't on. I'm in Dallas, TX. No, the check engine light wasn't on. I'm in Dallas, TX.

Do you EVER see the check engine light on, such as when you first turn the key? If not, the light may be defective, or may have been REMOVED to hide problems! Do you EVER see the check engine light on, such as when you first turn the key? If not, the light may be defective, or may have been REMOVED to hide problems!

It's a big mystery to the so-called experts, so where in the Dallas area is someone more expert than the experts at the Nissan dealership... where they won't fix it again even though it's under warranty bc they don't know how. It's a big mystery to the so-called experts, so where in the Dallas area is someone more expert than the experts at the Nissan dealership... where they won't fix it again even though it's under warranty bc they don't know how.

In algebra, X is an unknown. A spurt (spert?) is a drip under pressure. Therefore, using pure logic, an EXPERT is an unknown drip under pressure! Unknown drips should NOT be trying to do vehicle repairs!

Automotive engineering is pure science. You have fuel (under pressure), you have fuel INJECTORS that deliver that fuel into the cylinders, you have pistons that compress the mixture, you have ignition that ignites the fuel, the expanding gases push the pistons away, which rotates the engine, and camshaft(s) that open and close the valves, to let the pistons suck in air, and push out exhaust. It's really quite simple! What is missing? Something is missing, or out of time! Does the engine have any spark? Is there any fuel pressure, and is the fuel BURNABLE? Are the timing belt(s) (or timing chain(s) broken or defective? In algebra, X is an unknown. A spurt (spert?) is a drip under pressure. Therefore, using pure logic, an EXPERT is an unknown drip under pressure! Unknown drips should NOT be trying to do vehicle repairs! Automotive engineering is pure science. You have fuel (under pressure), you have fuel INJECTORS that deliver that fuel into the cylinders, you have pistons that compress the mixture, you have ignition that ignites the fuel, the expanding gases push the pistons away, which rotates the engine, and camshaft(s) that open and close the valves, to let the pistons suck in air, and push out exhaust. It's really quite simple! What is missing? Something is missing, or out of time! Does the engine have any spark? Is there any fuel pressure, and is the fuel BURNABLE? Are the timing belt(s) (or timing chain(s) broken or defective?

To be honest, I don't remember about the check engine light, but I don't think this was an issue. Many people have checked out the car and no one ever said, oh the light doesn't come on. The battery is dead now or I'd check. To be honest, I don't remember about the check engine light, but I don't think this was an issue. Many people have checked out the car and no one ever said, oh the light doesn't come on. The battery is dead now or I'd check.

I know they charged me a ton to fix everything they COULD think of so... let's assume that everything BUT the computer is working. They can't figure out the problem. I know they charged me a ton to fix everything they COULD think of so... let's assume that everything BUT the computer is working. They can't figure out the problem.

Do you have the car at home, and do you have another vehicle and jumper cables, or do you have an automotive battery charger? Do you have the car at home, and do you have another vehicle and jumper cables, or do you have an automotive battery charger?

I can get it jump started, yes. I can get it jump started, yes.

If I recall correctly, the car would turn on... just not start. (I'm revisiting this money pit after it has been an expensive paper weight in my yard for a good while.) If I recall correctly, the car would turn on... just not start. (I'm revisiting this money pit after it has been an expensive paper weight in my yard for a good while.)

Okay, now you have me confused! Do you mean to say the car RUNS if you jump start it? Okay, now you have me confused! Do you mean to say the car RUNS if you jump start it?

No. No.

With the battery charged, I could listen to the radio, use the lights, etc. ... but the car isn't going anywhere. With the battery charged, I could listen to the radio, use the lights, etc. ... but the car isn't going anywhere.

Also, I replaced all the fuses, so that isn't it either. I'm told its something inside the computer itself that's messing things up, but a new computer didn't fix it. Also, I replaced all the fuses, so that isn't it either. I'm told its something inside the computer itself that's messing things up, but a new computer didn't fix it.

"Vehicle has no spark, cam and crank sensors are good. Coil plugs have power, and we have fuel. Narrowed things down to ECU or bad key." "Vehicle has no spark, cam and crank sensors are good. Coil plugs have power, and we have fuel. Narrowed things down to ECU or bad key."

Okay, do a test ... next time you have enough battery power! Turn the key to the ON (run) position, and IMMEDIATELY listen for about a one second hum from the fuel tank in the rear. That is SUPPOSED to pressurize the fuel to the fuel rails on the engine. Do you HEAR that short noise? It's fairly quiet, and the timing is short! Have you ever heard of starting fluid? NEVER over-use starting fluid, or you could cause mechanical damage to the engine! But a two second spray into the air intake, immediately followed by cranking the engine will START the engine, as long as the pistons and valves are all present, working, and in proper timing! Alternatively, using an old trigger sprayer, you COULD spray ordinary gasoline into the air intake (BUT NOT into a paper air filter), and likewise, the engine will probably start ... confirming that the problem is in the fuel system! Okay, do a test ... next time you have enough battery power! Turn the key to the ON (run) position, and IMMEDIATELY listen for about a one second hum from the fuel tank in the rear. That is SUPPOSED to pressurize the fuel to the fuel rails on the engine. Do you HEAR that short noise? It's fairly quiet, and the timing is short! Have you ever heard of starting fluid? NEVER over-use starting fluid, or you could cause mechanical damage to the engine! But a two second spray into the air intake, immediately followed by cranking the engine will START the engine, as long as the pistons and valves are all present, working, and in proper timing! Alternatively, using an old trigger sprayer, you COULD spray ordinary gasoline into the air intake (BUT NOT into a paper air filter), and likewise, the engine will probably start ... confirming that the problem is in the fuel system!

Apparently 2001 engine was different from the ones before 2001 and those after 2001, so the younger mechanics don't know how to deal with that one year's engine?? I don't know who does know, so that's really my question. Where do I take it now, where they'll know? Apparently 2001 engine was different from the ones before 2001 and those after 2001, so the younger mechanics don't know how to deal with that one year's engine?? I don't know who does know, so that's really my question. Where do I take it now, where they'll know?

Thanks for your help. I appreciate your interest and advice. Thanks for your help. I appreciate your interest and advice.

Happy to help! I met the girl I married 37 years ago, to whom I'm still married, in a similar scenario. Some dingbat had dropped a wing nut down her carburetor, and it ended up poking a hole through a cylinder wall! Her 3 brothers were trying to figure out what happened for a few hours. I knew what had happened in less than 10 minutes, and said I would fix it. And that's exactly what I did, with a welded-in cylinder sleeve, a new piston, and a top and bottom total rebuild. That took a few days! Happy to help! I met the girl I married 37 years ago, to whom I'm still married, in a similar scenario. Some dingbat had dropped a wing nut down her carburetor, and it ended up poking a hole through a cylinder wall! Her 3 brothers were trying to figure out what happened for a few hours. I knew what had happened in less than 10 minutes, and said I would fix it. And that's exactly what I did, with a welded-in cylinder sleeve, a new piston, and a top and bottom total rebuild. That took a few days!

Here are a few suggestions for local repair!
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