1998 NISSAN SENTRA Owners Manual

WARNING
Be sure the engine and ignition switch
are off and that the parking brake is
engaged securely.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to
remove the plugs. An incorrect socket
can cause damage.
GA16DE Engine
1. Remove brackets as necessary to give
access to the high tension cables and
spark plugs.
2. Disconnect the spark plug cables from
the spark plugs.
When disconnecting, always hold the
boots, not the cables. Mark all cables to
identify their original locations.
3. Remove the spark plugs with a spark
plug socket.
The spark plug socket has a rubber seal
that holds the spark plug so it does not
fall when it is pulled out. Make sure each
spark plug is snugly fitted into the spark
plug socket.
4. On conventional spark plugs, check the
gap on each new spark plug with a
feeler gauge. (The spark plug gap is
shown in the ``Technical and consumer
information'' section of this manual.) Ad-
just the gap as required.
DI1229MDI1017M
SPARK PLUG REPLACEMENT
8-18Do-it-yourself
ZX

5. Fit the new plugs, one at a time, into the
spark plug socket and install them. Turn
each plug in several full turns by hand,
then tighten with the spark plug socket to
the correct torque. Do not overtighten.
Spark plug tightening torque:
14 to 22 ft-lb (20 to 29 Nzm)
6. Holding the boot, reconnect each high
tension cable to its proper spark plug by
pushing it on until you feel a snap.
7. Reinstall all brackets as necessary.
SR20DE Engine
Platinum-tipped spark plug
It is not necessary to replace platinum-
tipped spark plugs as frequently as conven-
tional type spark plugs because they last
much longer. Follow the maintenance
schedule, but do not reuse the spark plugs
by cleaning or regapping. Blue rings on the
ceramic portion indicate that the plugs are
platinum-tipped.
cAlways replace spark plugs with rec-
ommended or equivalent ones.
The air cleaner filter should not be cleaned
and reused. Replace it according to the
maintenance intervals shown in the ``Mainte-
nance'' section of this manual. When replac-
ing the filter, wipe the inside of the air cleaner
housing and the cover with a damp cloth.
WARNING
Operating the engine with the air cleaner
off can cause you or others to be
burned. The air cleaner not only cleans
the air, it stops flame if the engine back-
fires. If it isn't in place, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Do not
drive with it off, and be careful working
on the engine with the air cleaner off.
DI0205ADI0631
AIR CLEANER HOUSING
FILTER
Do-it-yourself8-19
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CLEANING
If your windshield is not clear after using the
windshield washer or if the wiper blade
chatters when running, wax or other mate-
rial may be on the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a
washer solution or a mild detergent. Your
windshield is clean if beads do not form
when rinsing with clear water.
Clean the blade by wiping it with a cloth
soaked in a washer solution or a mild deter-
gent. Then rinse the blade with clear water.
If your windshield is still not clear aftercleaning the blades and using the wiper,
replace the blades.
REPLACEMENT
1. Pull the wiper arm away from the wind-
shield.
2. Push the tab, then move the wiper blade
down the wiper arm to remove.
3. Remove the wiper blade.
4. Insert the new wiper blade onto the wiper
arm until it clicks.CAUTION
c
After wiper blade replacement, return
the wiper arm to its original position;
otherwise it may be damaged when
the engine hood is opened.
cMake sure the wiper blade contacts
the glass, otherwise the arm may be
damaged from wind pressure.
ADI1022
WIPER BLADES
8-20Do-it-yourself
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If you wax the surface of the hood, be
careful not to let wax get into the washer
nozzle. This may cause clogging or im-
proper windshield washer operation. If wax
gets into the nozzle, remove it with a needle
or small pin.From the released position, pull the parking
brake lever up slowly and firmly. If the
number of clicks is out of the range listed
above, see your NISSAN dealer.With the engine running, check the distance
between the upper surface of the pedal and
the metal floor. If it is out of the range shown
above, see an authorized NISSAN dealer.
Self-adjusting brakes
Your vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting
brakes.
The front (and rear, if equipped) disc-type
brakes self-adjust every time the brake
pedal is applied. The rear drum-type brakes
also self-adjust every time the brake pedal
is applied.
If the brake pedal goes down farther thanADI0613
ADI0629DI1020M
PARKING BRAKE CHECK BRAKE PEDAL
Do-it-yourself8-21
ZX

normal, it may be due to a lack of adjust-
ment of the rear drum brakes. To adjust
apply the parking brake several times.
WARNING
See an authorized NISSAN dealer and
have it checked if the brake pedal
height does not return to normal.
Brake pad wear indicators
The disc brake pads on your vehicle have
audible wear indicators. When a brake pad
requires replacement, it makes a high
pitched scraping or screeching sound when
the vehicle is in motion whether or not the
brake pedal is depressed. Have the brakes
checked as soon as possible if the wear
indicator sound is heard.
Under some driving or climate conditions,
occasional brake squeak, squeal or other
noise may be heard. Occasional brake
noise during light to moderate stops is nor-
mal and does not affect the function or
performance of the brake system.
The rear drum brakes (if so equipped) do
not have audible wear indicators. Should
you ever hear an unusually loud noise fromthe rear drum brakes, have them inspected
as soon as possible by an authorized NIS-
SAN dealer.
Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed.For more information regard-
ing brake inspections, see the appropriate
maintenance schedule information in the
``Maintenance'' section of this manual.Check the brake booster function as fol-
lows:
1. With the engine off, press and release
the brake pedal several times. When
brake pedal movement (distance of
travel) remains the same from one pedal
application to the next, continue on to the
next step.
2. While depressing the brake pedal, start
the engine. The pedal height should drop
a little.
3. With the brake pedal depressed, stop the
engine. Keeping the pedal depressed for
about 30 seconds, the pedal height
should not change.
4. Run the engine for one minute without
depressing the brake pedal, then turn it
off. Depress the brake pedal several
times. The pedal travel distance will de-
crease gradually with each depression
as the vacuum is released from the
booster.
If the brakes do not operate properly, see an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
BRAKE BOOSTER
8-22Do-it-yourself
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Press the pedal by hand and be sure the
free travel is within the limits shown above.
If free travel is out of the range shown
above, see an authorized NISSAN dealer.CAUTION
Never use a fuse of higher amperage
rating than that specified on the fuse
box cover. This could damage the elec-
trical system or cause a fire.
Engine compartment
If the electrical equipment does not come
on, check for an open fuse.
1. Be sure the ignition switch and the head-
light switch are OFF.
2. Open the engine hood.3. Remove the fuse box cover.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller
located on the reverse side of the pas-
senger compartment fuse box cover.
5. If the fuse is open, replace it with a new
fuse.
6. If a new fuse also opens, have the elec-
trical system checked and repaired by an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
Fusible links
If the electrical equipment does not operate
and fuses are in good condition, check the
fusible links. If any of these fusible links are
melted, replace with only genuine NISSAN
parts.ADI0654ADI0628
CLUTCH PEDAL FUSES AND FUSIBLE LINKS
Do-it-yourself8-23
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CAUTION
Never use a fuse of higher amperage
rating than that specified on the fuse
box cover. This could damage the elec-
trical system or cause a fire.
Passenger compartment
If any electrical equipment does not oper-
ate, check for an open fuse.
1. Be sure the ignition switch and the head-
light switch are OFF.
2. Open the fuse box cover.3. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller.
4. If the fuse is open, replace it with a new
fuse.
5. If a new fuse also opens, have the elec-
trical system checked and repaired by an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
ADI1019
8-24Do-it-yourself
ZX

HEADLIGHTS
The headlight is a semi-sealed beam type
which uses a replaceable headlight (halo-
gen) bulb. A bulb can be replaced from
inside the engine compartment without re-
moving the headlight assembly.
CAUTION
cHigh pressure halogen gas is sealed
inside the halogen bulb. The bulb
may break if the glass envelope is
scratched or the bulb is dropped.
cWhen handling the bulb, do not
touch the glass envelope.
Removing the headlight bulb
1. Open the engine hood.
2. Disconnect the negative (-) battery cable.
3.
If removing the right-hand (passenger
side) headlight bulb, it is necessary to first
reposition the engine coolant reservoir.
4. Disconnect the electrical connector from
the rear end of the bulb.
5. Push down the spring retainer.
6. Pull out the headlight bulb and socket as
an assembly. Do not shake or rotate thebulb when removing it. Do not handle the
glass envelope.
Replacing the headlight bulb
1. Insert the bulb and socket assembly into
the headlight.
DO NOT TOUCH THE BULB.
2. Install the spring retainer.
3. Push the electrical connector into the
bulb plastic base until it snaps and stops.
4. If installing the right-hand (passenger
side) headlight bulb, be sure to reposition
the engine coolant reservoir.
5. Connect the negative (-) battery cable.
6. Close the engine hood.
CAUTION
cUse the same number and wattage
as originally installed:
2 DOOR
Wattage 65/55
Bulb no. 9007
4 DOOR
Wattage 65/45
Bulb no. 9004
ADI0607
LIGHT BULBS
Do-it-yourself8-25
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