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General information about the first-generation Nissan Maxima in the US. What was the Datsun 810 became the luxury leader Maxima in the US in 1981.

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kassim503
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Location: Stony Brook, NY

#31

Post by kassim503 »

Ok, I did a little research and I think I know how the coil's firing works together to tell the ecu when to fire the injectors.

The hall effect sensor inside the distributor sends a small negative current down to the coil, then its stepped up to 12v on the neg side and the coil makes power, also the 12v neg is also connected to the ecu so the ecu knows when to fire the injectors.

Is this right? also what stepps up the power from the hall effect sensor to 12v neg for the coil?

I think it might be a bad coil, but it dosent sound like one
'83 maxima sedan, l24e, a/t, black

227K SOLD 6/7/2012
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asavage
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#32

Post by asavage »

kassim503 wrote:Also the neg post on the coil reads it has 12v positive, is this normal?
Probably not.
Is the coil's neg terminal supposed to have postive current running thru it? This is when the key is in the on position.
The "ignitor" ("ignition control module", etc.) -- the transistorized portion of ignition system that performs the function of old-style contact points opening -- should ground the coil, and open the circuit when triggering secondary voltage. I haven't worked with the L24E ignitor, but if you're measuring battery voltage at coil Neg when cranking, that's wrong -- you should see spikes up to 300v on a 'scope, can't use a voltmeter but the voltage should go all over the place. When not cranking, key ON, it may or may not be OK, but is probably wrong.

Perform test 11 on EL-34 (pickup coil test).

NAPA (Beck-Arneley) BA 1800036, $27
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NAPA (Echlin) ECH MP404, $27
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I usually use a graphing voltmeter (oscilloscope), but an analog voltmeter is easier to lay your hands on. If the needle wavers (and you have no secondary spark, ie it won't start), I strongly suggest that you follow the "Actions" and replace the ignitor.

NAPA (BA 1800031), $433
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NAPA (NRD 481002), $300
Image Image Image

A used, core distributor can be had for as little as $25 (http://www.car-part.com). Too bad I couldn't have stored that '83 L24e Carimbo & I sent to the JY a couple of months back :( Though, I think it had a bad ignitor too, from the symptoms I heard from the PO.
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
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kassim503
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Location: Stony Brook, NY

#33

Post by kassim503 »

well heres the update, It has postive current in the negative because the negative has no power in it most of the time, and the coil is leaking voltage over to the other side, nothing really big and it turns negative wehn the coil fires. It is liek this when the car runs and when the car dosent run.

Heres why I still think the ecu has a problem.

-The egr light doesnt blink to nissans specifications.

-Sombody spilled something on top of it, liek soda or heavily sugared coffee

-There was a hole in the floor right under the ecu, exposing it to the elements (fixed that)

-After I washed the engine bay out to clean out the mud, I remember I got the throttle position sensor wet and the car didnt run so good until I dried it up. I think mabye both open and closed throttle switches where powered on and it confused the hell out of the ecu and it cooked itself
'83 maxima sedan, l24e, a/t, black

227K SOLD 6/7/2012
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kassim503
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Location: Stony Brook, NY

#34

Post by kassim503 »

Also I found that tapping the neg side of the coil with a ground to simulate the engine cranking seems to fix the problem for a second or two. Like if it stops running, go out and tap the connection and the car would crank and fire the next time you turn the key.
'83 maxima sedan, l24e, a/t, black

227K SOLD 6/7/2012
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kassim503
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Location: Stony Brook, NY

#35

Post by kassim503 »

scrap that, that idea dosent do anything except fire the coil
'83 maxima sedan, l24e, a/t, black

227K SOLD 6/7/2012
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asavage
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#36

Post by asavage »

I made a 200 mile loop today, hit two JYs, found ONE L-series ignitor, on the Sedan below. None of the 280Zs had dist. in them at all. Paid $8.50 for it, if you want it, it's yours. No idea if it's any good, but it's a good gamble for that price.

There was ONE '83 Sedan in the Lakewood JY (good front bumper, blue interiour, good Left taillight assy), and I grabbed the dash pad above the glovebox for you. Yeah, I know, it's the wrong color, maybe you can paint it? If you want it, I gave $5 for it. It has a sticker that will have to be removed, but it's crack-free otherwise. If you don't want it, I'll put in on a shelf.

Sorry, MBTech, but the shift console was in four pieces, somebody destroyed it. I will keep looking.

The Lynnwood JY had NO Gen1 Maximas at all.
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
83_maxima
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Location: Denver

#37

Post by 83_maxima »

Isn't Al the coolest?
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asavage
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#38

Post by asavage »

I shipped the ignitor + dash pad via UPS today.

Image
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
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kassim503
Posts: 1027
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Stony Brook, NY

#39

Post by kassim503 »

Thanks Al
'83 maxima sedan, l24e, a/t, black

227K SOLD 6/7/2012
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kassim503
Posts: 1027
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Stony Brook, NY

#40

Post by kassim503 »

Fried ecu- now its fixed
Car runs great, idle speed fixed, and the car can hold 1700 rpm without surging :)


Special thanks to ben for letting me borrow the ecu


Also special thanks to al- he left a reply somewhere with the link http://www.car-part.com, that site found me an ecu in new jersey that ill fetch 2mm.
'83 maxima sedan, l24e, a/t, black

227K SOLD 6/7/2012
83_maxima
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Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Denver

#41

Post by 83_maxima »

Good deal. I'm glad it worked out for you and you got the ECU...finally.
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kassim503
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Location: Stony Brook, NY

#42

Post by kassim503 »

Postal service got me a little scared there, ill send yours back as soon as the JY one gets here in the mail (Theyll mail it to me so I dont gotta waste my gas)
'83 maxima sedan, l24e, a/t, black

227K SOLD 6/7/2012
User avatar
kassim503
Posts: 1027
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Stony Brook, NY

Jy Ecu came

#43

Post by kassim503 »

Today the ecu I ordered from a JY in virginia came, along with the tester I won off ebay-auction here came. Played around with the tester, testing the ecus I had around the house for other cars, tester proved to be mighty cool looking and is really helpful with diagnosing fuel system problems.

When I tested the ecu from the JY it said it was no good- there was no lights for the injector duration. Plugged it into the car- FP ran but no injectors, just like the tester said.

Cool thing is that the tester runs the car, and I guess you can drive with it if you like to have a mile of wiring in your passenger seat.

I guess if anybody has a gasser and got problems, you can borrow it from me.

Ben, when do you need your ECU back, if you need it asap I can mail it back and just use the tester as a ecu
'83 maxima sedan, l24e, a/t, black

227K SOLD 6/7/2012
83_maxima
Posts: 423
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Denver

#44

Post by 83_maxima »

That ECU is my spare. My car runs fine. I don't *need* it. Use it as long as you need to to keep that car running.

When you get a good ECU, and you car is running...send it back.
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kassim503
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Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Stony Brook, NY

#45

Post by kassim503 »

I got a ECU from a '84 maxima, for future refrence The 83-84's are compatable, different colors (grey and black) but do the same thing, probably some emissions stuff.

Ben, ill mail your ecu back whenever I find a box for it, I used to have tons of boxes of all shapes and sizes but my gf "cleaned" my house and I cannot find anything :lol:
'83 maxima sedan, l24e, a/t, black

227K SOLD 6/7/2012
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