What is wrong with my car? Help!

Greetings,

I have a 1987 Nissan Stanza with only 60,000 miles. I have been having a problem recently where, at various times including while idle and while in motion, my car would sputter for a few seconds and then turn off. Sometimes I would be able to turn the car back on immediately while other times I would be unable to do so for quite some time.

Not only is this annoying, but it's frustrating because it has turned off during rush hour with no place to pull over so that I am blocking traffic. It turned off twice while on my way to school but then 0 times while on my way back home. I took the car to the family mechanic - he drove the car around and said that he experienced no problems, so he gave it back to me unchanged. Although it did not turn off for him, it turned off for me plenty of times afterwards.

Once again, I gave the car back to him and he's been driving it around and reporting no problems. He said something about cleaning the carburetor just in case (which is now called something else - I forgot what), but he has not done that yet.

Do you think the problem is a dirty carburetor (I don't know what that is), or does it sound like something else might be wrong?

It's OLLLLD. That's one of the main problems. deepdreamer256

The car is older than I am.

sounds like a fuel or air related problem. Check fuel filter first. Second have someone test fuel pressure for a period of time. If it is fuel pressure related then look into those components which will most likely be a fuel pump. If it is not a fuel problem check the air intake. Mass air flow sensor or idle air control valve can cause those problems.

sounds like a fuel or air related problem. Check fuel filter first. Second have someone test fuel pressure for a period of time. If it is fuel pressure related then look into those components which will most likely a fuel pump. If it is not a fuel problem check the air intake. Mass air flow sensor or idle air control valve can cause those problems.ttobba07

Is there any way that I can do that, or should I have the mechanic do it? Is it something simple?

Maybe you are driving it wrong?Agent-Zero

Rofl.

From what i hear i think from my evaluations and my ability to identify the problem with your car, because i specialize in auto repairs. I am a part time engineer and work on getting many peoples cars fixed, because i love cars. Cars are great and they are so gorgeous with their oil consumptions and their rumbling engine sounds and their exaughts pipes that make cancer giving fumes.I love cars. I think from my abilities of judging cars and my many years of experince that your car is officially busted :|. That is all i hope i helped you enough to help you realize that you are now in good hands.

Thankyou and have a nice day. :D

does the key light flash?Perd1t1on

The lights don't work. Also, the doors constantly jam and I sometimes have to climb out of the window. In fact, there was this one time that I got pulled over and the cop asked me to get out of the car, and the doors were stuck, so I yelled, "I'm coming out the window!"

I was so embarrassed.

[QUOTE="Agent-Zero"]Maybe you are driving it wrong?Turtlecream

Rofl.

it's probably something stupid like a faulty oxygen sensor or failing pcv valve...

[QUOTE="Turtlecream"]

[QUOTE="Agent-Zero"]Maybe you are driving it wrong?Agent-Zero

Rofl.

Well, the mechanic is a very old man who can barely see over the hood. However, I drive very defensively and do not speed. In fact, I am a perfect driver, except for the fact that I have a driving phobia.

It's a jalopy. Everything must be shot by now.

sounds like a fuel pump problem, maybe the filter.

edit: nevermind, if the lights and doors stop working, i doubt it's engine related..

sounds like a fuel pump problem, maybe the filter.

edit: nevermind, if the lights and doors stop working, i doubt it's engine related..

Sword-Demon

No, like, the lights have never worked, and the doors are not electronic. They are just normal doors - that don't work.

[QUOTE="Sword-Demon"]

sounds like a fuel pump problem, maybe the filter.

edit: nevermind, if the lights and doors stop working, i doubt it's engine related..

Turtlecream

No, like, the lights have never worked, and the doors are not electronic. They are just normal doors - that don't work.

Could be an alternator problem. Does the spluttering gets worse if you switch on the A/C or radio?

check plugs, air filter, oil level...after these three things proceed to your closest auto-mechanic.

I had that problem with my car, it turned out to be the on-board computer(ECM). Since the car is 1987, I don't think it has a ECM. I am not a mechanic but I am good with cars and I fix 90% of the problems that I encounter with my car or my family/friends cars. Without seeing the car my self all I can suggest is to check the ignition coil. What I think is happening is that the ignition coil is overheating, to see if that is the problem do this:

1. Turn on your car

2. Leave it running for 20-30 minutes.

3. Grab a rod and tap the ignition coil

4. If the car turns off its the ignition coil. I suggest that you take it to a qualified mechanic and tell them to fix it, because your mechanic just seems lazy .No Offence.

Did you check the wang coil? Sometimes the johnson rod goes on those too.

Probably and air/fuel intake problem, if you don't know what you're doing just buy a new car or take it to the mechanic.

The car not having a carbeurator but a throttle body and other electronic components require the use of an ECM and yes, in 87 they did have an ECM. Check that the air intake hose from the mass airflow sensor to the throttle body isn't cracked or broken open. Make sure that the trottle body is clean also. When was the last time the car had a tune-up including wires? When does the car quit, when under load or at idle?

Could be an alternator problem. Does the spluttering gets worse if you switch on the A/C or radio?

Napster06

I was thinking this too. When you say the car "turns off" do you mean all of the power turns off, or the engine dies?

I'd check your plugs and fuel pressure along with that.