Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Trouble Shooting: Introduction
Use this section to diagnose driveability problems that exist when a hard fault code is not present. Symptom checks are intended to direct the technician to malfunctioning component(s) so that further diagnosis may be performed. A "symptom" should lead to further testing of specific components or systems, or verification of adjustment specifications.
It is also possible that certain driveability concerns have been rectified by the manufacturer through substitution of a revised calibration chip or computer control unit. Check with manufacturer for latest information on updated chips and control units.
Recommended procedures for each symptom will be indicated by a number(s) from 1 to 38, and may also contain specific instructions related to that number. For a definition of each test procedure, refer to SYMPTOM TEST PROCEDURE DEFINITIONS in this article. Not all recommended procedures apply to all vehicles.
- Maxima, see: SYSTEM/COMPONENT TESTS
- Pathfinder & Pickup, see: SYSTEM/COMPONENT TESTS
- Pulsar, see: SYSTEM/COMPONENT TESTS
- Sentra, see: SYSTEM/COMPONENT TESTS
- Stanza, see: SYSTEM/COMPONENT TESTS
- 240SX, see: SYSTEM/COMPONENT TESTS
- 300ZX, see: SYSTEM/COMPONENT TESTS For tune-up specifications, see:
- 4-Cylinder, see: SPECIFICATIONS - 4-CYL
- V6, see: SPECIFICATIONS - V6 For adjustment procedures, see:
- 4-Cylinder, see: ADJUSTMENTS - 4-CYL
- V6, see: ADJUSTMENTS - V6
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.