1987 NISSAN PULSAR Fuel injection

INTRODUCTION
This Service and Repair Manual
covers the Australian manufac-
tured Nissan Pulsar (hatchback) and Vector (sedan) N13 Series 1
(J87 - 91 and
the Holden Astra LD Series 1987 - 89.

Two engines were available: a 1.8 l i t e r engine with multi-point fuel injec-
tion, and a 1.6 liter throttle body injected engine. The engines are similar
having single overhead camshafts and computer controlled fuel injection and
ignition control. There was a choice of three speed automatic or five speed
manual transaxles.

A viscous coupling limited s l i p differential was introduced from July 1989
to the five speed manual transaxle models of the Pulsar Q and Vector SSS.

Disc brakes are fitted at the front of a l l models, while the rear brakes are
either discs or drums.

All models are equipped with independent coil spring suspension. Steering
can be by either manual or power assisted rack and pinion.

This manual includes information on trouble shooting, lubrication and
maintenance, specifications and the rem oval, installation and overhaul of com-
ponents which are considered to be with in the scope of the average, well
equipped home mechanic.

Certain repair jobs covered in this manual require the use of special
equipment not normally found in a home tool kit. When such equipment is
required, the equipment and i t s functi on is brought to the users attention
underneath the heading for that component. Some jobs, such as automatic
transmission overhaul, should he left to an authorized dealer or a specialist
who has the extensive knowledge and equi pment required. In these cases, the
removal and installation procedures are fully covered, enabling the unit to be
removed for repair or a reconditioned unit to be installed.

Reference in the manual to the left an d right hand sides of the vehicle are
from the point of view of someone sta nding at the back of the vehicle and
looking forward.

Inexperienced operators should not a ttempt a service or repair operation
before completely reading the appropriat e section (or other sections which may
be referred to) in the manual.

General Information 11
Lifting Equipment
When using lifting equipment to lift heavy com-
ponents such as the engine and/or transmission, use
metal slings or chain in preference to rope. If rope
must be used, ensure that it is not placed against sharp
edges on the component.

Automotive Lubricants and Solvents
Avoid prolonged skin contact with oils, greases
and solvents as some can cause skin irritations and
dermatitis.

Exercise caution when us ing cleaning solvents as
many are inflammable. Do not smoke. Keep naked
flames and sparks clear of the work area.

Compressed Air
Never point an air hose at another person or allow
compressed air to blow onto your skin. High pressure
air forced against the skin can enter the bloodstream
and prove fatal.

Suspension and Steering Components
Damaged suspension and steering components
should not be welded. Many of these components are
fabricated from toughened metals. If welded they may
lose their strength or become brittle. Damaged com-
ponents should be renewed.

Air Conditioning
Avoid disconnecting air conditioning hoses as
escaping refrigerant can cause frostbite. The refriger-
ant is highly flammable and when burnt, a poisonous
gas is produced.

VEHICLE SAFETY
To prevent damage to the vehicle during servicing
or repair work, note the following precautions.

Brake Fluid
If spilt on the vehicle paintwork, brake fluid
should be immediately washed away with clean water
and allowed to dry naturally, not wiped with a cloth.

Catalytic Converter
The following should be observed to prevent
damage to the catalytic converter:

Do not operate the vehicle on leaded fuel.
Do not push or tow start the vehicle.
Do not allow the engine to idle for prolonged
periods.

Do not switch the ignition off while the vehicle is
in motion and the transmission is in gear.

Do not 'prime' the engine by pouring fuel into the
inlet manifold.

Do not operate the vehicle if the engine is
misfiring.

Avoid running the vehicle out of fuel.
Ensure that the engine oil is formulated to contain
low phosphorus levels.

Electronic Components
The electronic components of the ignition and
fuel injection systems can be damaged by the use of
incorrect testing equipment.

It is essential in all tests where voltage or resis-
tance is to be measured that a digital display multi-
meter with a minimum 10 megohm input impedance
be used.

Some types of tachometers, timing lights and
ignition system analyzers are not compatible with
certain engine electronic systems. It is therefore
recommended that the manufacturer of the test equip-
ment be consulted before using the equipment.

Jump starting, or being jump started by another
vehicle can cause damage to the electronic compon-
ents of the vehicle. Refer to the Roadside Trouble
shooting section for the correct jump starting proce-
dure.

3. GENERAL REPAIR PROCEDURES
SEIZED FASTENERS
Seized bolts, nuts or screws should first have a
liberal amount of penetrating oil applied. The fastener
should be left for a period of time to allow the oil to
penetrate and soften the corrosion which is causing
the binding.

Often, a sharp hammer blow to the head of the
fastener can dislodge the corrosion and permit it to be
loosened.

An impact driver, which can be fitted with a
socket or screwdriver bit, can be used to loosen a
seized fastener.

Another method is to heat the component in
which the fastener is seized. However, extreme cau-
tion should be exercised when heating aluminum
alloy components as the melting point is much lower
than that of steel.

If the above methods fail to free a seized nut,
carefully hacksaw through one side of the nut until it
can be split. Care should be taken that the threads of
the bolt or stud are not damaged.

Should a bolt or stud break below the surface of
the component, it will be necessary to use a screw
extractor to remove the remaining part. Follow the
screw extractor manuf acturers instructions.


Tap and die set and assorted screw extractors.

82
FUEL AND ENGINE MANAGEMENT
CAUTION: To prevent severe electrical shock, extreme care must be taken when
working on or near the electronic ignition system as dangerous high tension voltages
are produced in both the primary and secondary circuits. See the text fo\
r
precautionary notes.

SPECIFICATIONS
FUEL INJECTION
Type:
1.6 liter engine .................................. Single point
1.8 liter engine................................... Multi point
FUEL PUMP
Type ................................................................ Electric
Pressure at idle:
1.6 liter engine ..................................... 62-90 kPa
1.8 liter engine ................................ 190-230 kPa
FUEL FILTER
Type ................................................ Inline, disposable
AIR FILTER
Type ................................... Disposable paper element
DISTRIBUTOR
Make ........................................................ Delco Remy
Advance contro l .......................................... Electronic
Rotation of rotor .................................. Anti-clockwise
Firing order....................................................1 -3-4-2
ADJUSTMENTS
Base idle speed ..................................... 550-650 rpm
Ignition timing.......................................... 10° BTDC
TORQUE WRENCH SETTINGS
Throttle body nuts.......................................... 10 Nm
*Throttle body bolts ........................................ 12 Nm
*Fuel hose fittings............................................ 35 Nm
Fuel rail bolts ....................................................8 Nm
Fuel tank drain plug ........................................ 24 Nm
Coolant temperature sensor ............................ 12 Nm
Oxygen sensor .................................................. 40 Nm
MAT sensor..................................................... 14 Nm
*1.6 liter engine
l . 8 liter engine

1. FUEL AND ENGINE MANAGEMENT
TROUBLE SHOOTING

NOTE: The following Trouble Shooting pro-
cedures are basic checks only. If these pro-
cedures fail to locate the fault, refer to the
System Diagnosis and Adjustments heading
for more thorough testing.

Prior to performing any of the following
operations, refer to the Service Precautions
and Procedures heading.

ENGINE WILL NOT START OR HARD TO
START
(1) Water in the fuel: Dr ain the fuel from the
system and renew the fuel filter.
(2) Fault in the power supply: Check the battery,
fusible links and fuses. Check for clean, secure con-
nections, particularly the earth connections. Check the
EG1 and fuel pump relays.
NOTE: If the fuel pump relay fails, power
will be supplied to the fuel pump via the oil
pressure switch. When starting the engine,


Check that the MAP sensor hose is not blocked or split
and ensure that all electrical connections are clean and
secure.

Fuel and Engine Management
(4) MAP sensor faulty or supply hose discon-
nected or blocked: Check the vacuum supply hose.
Check the operation of the MAP sensor.

EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION
(1) Blocked air cleaner element: Check the ele-
ment and clean or renew as necessary.
(2) Incorrect fuel pressure: Check the fuel pump
and fuel pressure regulator. (3) Faulty coolant temperature sensor: Check
the connections and operation.
(4) Leaks in the fuel supply system: Check the
connections and components for leakage. (5) Leaking fuel injector(s): Clean or renew the
faulty injector(s). (6) Engine operating temperature too low:
Check the thermostat and electric cooling fan as
described in the Cooling an d Heating Systems section.
2. DESCRIPTION
The engine management system on the range of
vehicles covered by this manual controls the opera-
tion of the ignition system and the fuel system.

The central component of the engine management
system is the electronic control unit (ECU). The con-
trol unit is a micro-computer which controls the igni-
tion timing and the amount of fuel injected according
to signals received from various sensors. As changes
are detected in engine load and speed, coolant tem-
perature, barometric pressure, air temperature (1.8
liter engine), throttle position and vehicle speed, the
control unit alters the ignition timing and the fuel
injection amount to achieve optimum engine effi-
ciency.

The control unit incorporates a self diagnosis
mode which stores and displays codes relating to
certain system malfunctions. Whenever power is sup-
plied to the control unit, the control unit performs a


View of the 1.8 liter engine showing the engine management components.
Ensure that all fuel connections are securely tightened.

Fuel and Engine Management 85


View of the 1.6 liter engine showing the engine management components. Air cleaner removed for clarity.
series of tests on various components in the system
and records the results, If a fault is discovered, the
ECM warning lamp on the instrument cluster will
illuminate while the engine is running. When the self
diagnosis mode is activated, the ECM warning lamp
will flash codes indicating the area in which the fault
has occurred.

This function is very useful in locating system
faults, particularly intermittent problems. However,
the self diagnosis mode does not provide comprehen-
sive testing of the EFI system, and therefore should
always be used in conjunction with the other test
procedures described later in this section in order to
accurately locate system faults.

The high energy electronic ignition system con-
sists of a distributor and an ignition coil.

The distributor has two functions. The first is to
produce and distribute secondary high tension voltage
to the spark plugs.

The second function is to provide the control unit
with information on engine speed and crankshaft
position.

The ignition timing is constantly adjusted by the
control unit to suit varying engine and vehicle oper-
ating conditions.

In the fuel injection system, a metered amount of
fuel is sprayed into the air stream. The air/fuel

mixture then enters the combustion chamber via the
inlet valves.

On 1.6 liter engines, the fuel is injected by a single
injector, located above the throttle valve within the
throttle body assembly. The injector fires twice per
engine revolution under most operating conditions.

On 1.8 liter engines, four injectors are used. The
fuel is distributed to the injectors via the fuel rail. All
injectors fire simultaneous ly once per engine revolu-
tion under most operating conditions.

Under conditions of high load the control unit
may signal the injector(s) to fire more often. However,
if the engine speed exceeds 6 700 rpm the control unit
will cease firing the injectors until the engine speed is
below 6 200 rpm.

Fuel is supplied under pressu re by an electric fuel
pump mounted in the fuel tank and the pressure is
regulated by a pressure regulator.

On 1.6 liter engines, the regulator consists of a
spring tensioned diaphragm which is mounted to the
side of the throttle body assembly. The fuel pressure is
regulated by the tension of the spring against the
diaphragm, opening and closing the fuel return port.

On 1.8 liter engines, the pressure regulator is
mounted adjacent to the fuel rail and consists of a
diaphragm with fuel pressu re acting on one side and
spring tension and manifold vacuum acting on the

114 Fuel and Engine Management
(6) Check the vehicle for the following:
(a) Low fuel pressure.
(b) Contaminated fuel.
(c) Vacuum leaks at the inlet manifold, engine
vacuum hoses and engine ventilation hoses. (d) Exhaust manifold leaks before the oxygen
sensor. (e) Correct MAP sensor operation.
(f) Blocked oxygen sensor metal vent cover eg.
plugged with mud etc. (g) Fuel injectors) partially blocked. Refer to a
fuel injection specialis t or a Nissan dealer.
If the above items have been checked and no
faults have been found, a faulty oxygen sensor is
indicated. Renew the oxygen sensor, run the engine
and ensure that no fault codes are set.

To Test — Code 45
(1) Run the engine until normal operating tem-
perature is attained. (2) With the ignition switched Off, connect a
jumper lead between terminals B and A on the
diagnostic link connector. (3) Start and run the engine at approximately
1 600-1 800 rpm for 2 minutes and note the ECM
warning lamp. If the ECM warning lamp is on more than off or
flashes at the rate of twice per second, proceed to the
following operation.

If the ECM warning lamp flashes evenly at the
rate of once per second an intermittent fault is
indicated. Proceed as follows:

(a) Check for faulty wiri ng connections. Check
that all wiring connectors are clean and secure. (b) Check that all earth wires are secure.
(4) Switch the engine Off and disconnect the
oxygen sensor wiring connector. (5) Using a jumper lead, connect the oxygen
sensor wiring connector to a suitable engine earth. (6) Start and run the engine at 1 600-1 800 rpm
and note the ECM warning lamp.
If the ECM warning lamp extinguishes for at least
30 seconds, proceed to operation (7).

If the ECM warning lamp flashes on more than off
or flashes at the rate of twice per second, switch the
engine Off and disconnect the control unit wiring
connectors. Using an ohmmeter, check that there is no
resistance between the co ntrol unit wiring connector
terminal D6 and earth. Repair or renew the wiring as
necessary.

If no fault can be found in the wiring harness,
renew the control unit.

NOTE: The wiring harness for terminal D6
earths through the righ t hand rear cylinder
head bolt.

(7) Check the vehicl e for the following:
(a) High fuel pressure.
(b) Leaking injector(s).
(c) Faulty ignition wiring.
(d) Charcoal canister purge system blocked or
restricted.
(e) Faulty coolant temper ature sensor circuit.
(f) Faulty MAT sensor circuit (1.8 liter engine).
(g) MAP sensor operation.
(h) Throttle position sensor operation.

If the above items have been checked and no
faults have been found, a faulty oxygen sensor is
indicated.

Renew the oxygen sensor, run the engine and
ensure that no fault codes are set.

To Remove and Install
(1) If the engine is cold, run the engine for
approximately two minutes to allow easy oxygen
sensor removal. (2) Disconnect the negative battery terminal and
the oxygen sensor connector.

View of the oxygen sensor removed from the exhaust
manifold.
(3) Remove the exhaust manifold heat shield
retaining bolts and remove the heat shield from the
engine.
(4) Remove the oxygen sensor with a short ring
spanner using care not to damage the sensor wire. Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure
with attention to the following points:

(1) When installing a sensor that has previously
been removed, coat the sen sor threads with anti-seize
compound. Nissan recommend a mixture of liquid
graphite and glass beads. (2) Install the sensor and tighten to the specified
torque. (3) Connect the electrical connector ensuring
that the wiring is secured away from the exhaust. (4) Install the heat shield and tighten the retain-
ing bolts securely. On 1.6 liter engines, ensure that the hot air inlet
tube is located correctly be tween the heat shield and
the air cleaner housing.

(5) Start the engine and check for leaks.
VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR
To Test - Code 24

(1) Check the fuel pump and meter fuses. If the
fuses are serviceable, proceed to operation (5). If a
fuse is blown, rectify the cause and renew the fuse.

120 Emission Control
If the flap does not operate as described, renew
the air cleaner housing.

(2) Disconnect the vacuum hose from the servo
unit and connect it to a vacuum gauge.
(3) Start and run the engine at approximately
1 200 rpm. If the engine is cold there should be
vacuum. (4) As the engine temperature increases the
vacuum should decrease to zero. If the vacuum gauge does not read as described,
check that the vacuum supply hose is connected to the
thermal vacuum valve and the throttle body.

If no fault is found, renew the thermal vacuum
valve.

4. EXHAUST CONTROL SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION
The exhaust system is the greatest source of
pollutant emission from the internal combustion
engine.

On the Pulsar range of vehicles covered by this
manual, the exhaust control system consists of a
catalytic converter and the engine management sys-
tem. The engine management system constantly mon-
itors the exhaust gases via an oxygen sensor located in
the exhaust system. Fuel injection is then adjusted
accordingly to give the minimum amount of exhaust
emissions. Refer to the Fuel and Engine Management
section for further information.

CATALYTIC CONVERTER
The catalytic converter, which is located in the
exhaust system, converts hydrocarbons, oxides of
nitrogen and carbon monoxide present in the exhaust
gases into carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water and heat.

The catalytic converter does not require periodic
maintenance or replacement under normal circum-
stances. However, it can be damaged or poisoned by
excessively high exhaust gas temperatures, raw fuel
and the use of leaded fuel.

Installed view of the catalytic converter.
To prevent the use of leaded fuel, a small diam-
eter fuel filler neck with a spring loaded trap door is
used.

To prevent damage to the catalytic converter, the
following precautions sh ould be observed.

(1) Do not operate the vehicle on leaded fuel.
(2) Do not push or tow start the vehicle.
(3) Do not allow the engine to idle for prolonged
periods. (4) Do not operate the vehicle if the engine is
misfiring.
(5) Avoid running the vehicle out of fuel.
(6) Ensure that the engine oil is formulated to
contain low phosphorous levels.
To Inspect Catalytic Converter

(1) Inspect the converter for dents and damage.
If the converter is damaged, it should be renewed. (2) Inspect the converter heat shield for damage
and ensure that it is positioned correctly. Renew the
converter heat shield if necessary.
To Remove and Install
To remove and install the catalytic converter,
refer
to the Exhaust System heading in the Engine section.