Parts Cannon of the SENTRA! Part 2 (Shorted 5V Ref)

We're so close to victory...I can smell it!
Will the poor Nissan Sentra fire up and run NO PARTS REQUIRED?
Not so fast...now we get to figure out what caused the carnage in the first place.
It starts, but runs like GARBAGE!
THINKTOOL PROS:
www.amazon.com...
ASTRO DVOM:
www.amazon.com...
Enjoy!
Ivan

[@mikechiodetti4482]

Very good diagnostics and repair for the no start problem. When pushing on the gas pedal it even sounded like a plugged cat. It was replaced and so the Sentra is on it's way. That broken intake boot started the whole problem which overheated the cat, followed by melted wires. I'll bet this car ran bad for a long time due to a lack of routine maintenance. Very good one Ivan.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

I can't believe that it even ran with the torn intake at all!

[@mikechiodetti4482]

That's where the PCM comes in with "substituted data or compensation" to try to keep the engine running.

[@scientist100]

@@mikechiodetti4482 amazing! Are you a Nissan engineer by any chance?

[@jonnycando]

@@scientist100 all ecm’s can do this actually, at least to a point…

[@jasinarok]

It must be a PITA to work with one hand while trying to film. Thanks Ivan we appreciate what you do.

[@htownblue11]

This was a true problem avalanche starting with one problem snowball that got rolling……Not only did you find the bad harness, you found the real cause. Well done.

[@faxmen09]

Wow, multiple issues to deal with. Verrry patient diagnosis comes through in end. Another nice job Ivan.

[@coreymugaas6388]

Outstanding work Ivan! I appreciate the preparation before you even leave the shop. I do similar work in the marine field: EFI, joystick piloting (thrust vectoring), autopilot, radar, etc. The excitement of laying your eyes on the the problem after diagnosing is addictive. The guys in the shop usually know I found something significant because I cant help but laugh out loud. Your videos help me refine my diagnostic methods at the marina. One method in this video I want to use is measuring current at different points to find the short. Thank you for the hard work you do in making these videos!

[@johnmilner6484]

No way I could do all that diagnostic stuff..it makes my brain hurt just watching Ivan sort this all out ..another great job Ivan.Thanks

[@jeffjankiewicz5100]

This is what happens due to poor maintenance, torn intake boot probably set this series of events in motion, leaned out the fuel mix, clogged the cat, then exhaust leak melted wires. This owner gets the Darwin Award. I hope this taught him/her a lesson, but probably not. Hefty bill, aftermarket sensors are never a good idea. I learned THAT one the hard way, my wallet is still in recovery mode from the parts cannon. Nice fix Ivan, love your logical approach, already had a plan set before you even saw the car.👍

[@teekay_1]

This was a great one in the sense that the fault was actually a symptom of the actual fault. Nicely done!

[@robpeabo509]

Well that was different! The fault really was practically at the end of the line lol. Fixed in the end and I am sure everyone involved learnt something new, including us; the viewers.

[@scientist100]

Thank you for telling us; great information.

[@fredautos]

Right on Spot.. Fun case Study.. And thorough Diag.. 🤞🏻

[@TheBry_Guy]

I started this video thinking I would ask someone in the comments how to do generic OBD on my new PROS...only to watch you do it right here. thanks again Ivan!. so far a good tool. And yes, a great video. I learn every time.

[@jeffryblackmon4846]

Automotive constipation. Well stated! Your last few sentences told the complete story.

[@TheThreeLeggedChair]

thank you very much for taking the time.

[@jamesatkinson6480]

One of my observations is your approach to the problem; you were actually right about the fault in the first paragraph (part 1), where most others would go along with the 'parts cannon', which meant a 3 week (if I remember) wait... One critical element is that it is an extremely rare event that 3 sensors 'fail' together, and had that in mind all along... ...so, as you did, look for a fault which was common cause to all of those sensors failing, using a wiring diagram. With the assistance of an oscilloscope, comparing with waveforms issued by the manufacturer, it turned in to a quick diagnosis. Just unfortunate that the original OEM sensors (probably quite ok) were disposed of...

[@Stambo59]

I have to disagree with your "most others" comment, any tech with at least one brain cell would see all those fault codes and start looking for what is common between all those sensors. Replacing sensors instead of diagnosing the fault is what got them in to trouble. Unplug the easiest sensor and check at least for 5v reference and ground would have been next for me. Then you discover a missing 5v reference and start looking for why. Using a test light and amp clamp was clever, I like that and now it is another tool in my arsenal. This is why I like to watch these videos, at 63 years old I am still willing to learn.

[@jamesatkinson6480]

@@Stambo59 Yeah, I see. Best put as 'some' others.. An earlier comment was to use the ohm-meter across sensors, comparing with OEM replacements, but the oscilloscope gave the most diagnostic detail...

[@Stambo59]

@@jamesatkinson6480 the scope will certainly show that the sensor is not working but a simple volt meter would be much faster to show the missing 5v. Sometimes getting back to basics is the best way for me, but I learned my craft when the average tech did not have access to scopes and scanners.

[@jgeorges3061]

IVAN, thanks for taking us on this diagnoses journey AWESOME approach and logic thinking. cheeeeers

[@The_Redkween]

It’s admirable that you include your own mistakes like forgetting to plug in the MAF and that intake tube. You certainly didn’t have to, so it lends to your integrity and credibility. You’re just a good dude, Ivan.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Hah got a bit rushed there at the end... Didn't expect an avalanche of problems 😂

[@markmalikowski4971]

Excellent diagnosis and secondary symptom diagnosis. It's a mystery that they didn't know the cat was plugged, unless everything happened at once.

[@Gmansour1971]

Another problem car Ivanated! Thank you for the many lessons you teach.

[@rafflesnh]

"Stay away from the parts cannon"???! Why? We wouldn't have any PHAD diagnostics to enjoy! 😆😉

[@raymondjones7489]

Awesome as usual!...I really enjoy your videos Ivan...please don't stop!👍👍😎

[@kinglangren]

It’s interesting after a little investigative diagnostics it will tell you a story on the car. I’ve had a few of those . Good job on the fix.

[@cullenmiller8170]

Obviously, the customer never mentioned the car running poorly for awhile. They just noticed something wrong when it finally threw in the towel. 😂

[@andrewwturner]

I like the advice about OEM electrical parts... Buy the best you can afford and cry once. Nice diagnostic and detective work there.

[@Land-of-reason]

Ivan. You can purchase cables that go up to 700 deg C that are used in ovens. You need to work harder because RAINMAN RAY is out of action.

[@Graham_Wideman]

Is Rainman Ray out of action, or now having more time on his hands for videos??? Maybe Ray can hire himself out to do videos for other automotive channels that want to go on vacation!

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

Clogged cat? Explains the wires melted. Cool! Gonna be expensive! Nice your diag about cat was correct! Great repair! Friends had a EGR issue do similar damage to plastic intake.

[@Paramount531]

Pardon me for being cynical, but I don't think I'd sink too much more money in a 14 year old Sentra with a CVT, just saying....... In a more serious tone, that was excellent work, Ivan!

[@billyhorton5779]

In my area we have trans shops that "aquire" a large number of cars because people could not pay the final repair bill.

[@mikeschaner5853]

Good find. Nissan has forever had cam/crank sensor and sensor harness issues. The oe sensor fails, heats up the wires and usually shorts out just like this. They offer a cam/crank sensor kit that comes with both sensors, and abt 8" or so of new harnes with connector to be replaced.

[@10100rsn]

From what I remember about wiring near hot areas is the harness is not supposed to be twisted, the individual wires get a fiberglass insulation and then the harness gets a heat shield. This should work for the lifetime of the vehicle.

[@throttlebottle5906]

twisted pairs are often done for impedance and noise shielding.

[@cliffordgallagher4531]

Great Job Ivan! Hell of a find!

[@AutodiagnosticoDetroit]

great your videos! listening to the sound of the exhaust I think it is restricted and that is why the ckp and vss harnesses overheated

[@PaulCTownsend]

Absolutely fascinating video good job there buddy.

[@johndoyle4723]

Thanks, well done, you tracked it down in a logical procedure, but there were multiple other problems, which you also diagnosed. Must be difficult doing an outside call, you have to be self sufficient. The shop owner might have put the battery on charge for you, before you came. Hope you put in a suitable invoice, do not sell your skills short.

[@robertfrancisco1193]

some people like to drive around with the money lite on and the domino effect goes down the line. like taking out the CAT!

[@thedirtyworkbench]

Reminds me of a ford ranger I had a couple months ago with a 2.5l 4 cylinder. Valve cover oil leak had completely eaten the insulation off the wires going to the cam sensor.

[@windward2818]

On the road I don't know what wiring repair stock you take with you. To keep the two critical harnesses away from the heat you could make them longer and reroute, but this would require harness making supplies. With limited supplies the only suggestion I would have is to use another larger piece of plastic high temp convoluted tubing to cover your repair. It does provide some further protection, but its main purpose is to provide an indication of high heat. So in a way it is sacrificial. If someone other than yourself is looking at the vehicle you can ask if they see any melting of the outer convoluted tubing. If so you know it is getting hot again .

[@frankelysacostajaquez4274]

excellent diagnosis, repair and master explanation all very well detailed as an elite technician 💪 Your videos are very interesting and those cases too, we learn a lot from you in each video. Blessings and greetings from the Dominican Republic ❤🤝 In a video of yours on your channel you showed a cylinder pressure sensor that you build and sell and I saw it as very interesting. I even told you in that video that I would like the two sensors that sell the complete kit of each 1 and how much would the price be with shipping to the Dominican Republic! thank you 😎

[@roxanneabbott8424]

Great job Ivan, you got this!!!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Just when I thought I was "done"...nope lol!

[@Sandmansa]

Wow! What a project this is turning out to be. The list of repairs needed just keeps growing. It seems that the owner of this car literally ran it straight in to the ground! And you know they would say something like "it ran fine before I brought it to you". SMH.

[@ralphmadera4366]

Easiest solution should be either , asbesto wire sleeve or a fiber one , they are better heat deterrent than metal. Metal actually gets to be inside a convection oven .

[@abdul-kabiralegbe5660]

Yeah, my thoughts too. That metal sheath is a heat magnet.

[@Stambo59]

Original setup was doing fine until the exhaust got too hot due to the cat being blocked.

[@AP9311]

Wow, engine couldn't poop lol. Getting new cat fixed its woes!! At least you got your diagnosis correctly!! Great job Ivan. That engine sounds terrible!! 🔥

[@andrewbaird509]

Another brilliant video

[@innocentbystander2673]

0:01 Love this channel. Right...back to the video ;) Big love from Australia.

[@garybowles9062]

Great job there; shows the power of radiant heat; that exhaust manifold had to be cherry red when the damage was done; the manifold should have an exterior baffle to block the radiant heat from over heating nearby parts; sometimes mechanics will leave it off; "she'll run just fine without it" :) If missing; easy part from a salvage yard; Enjoy your videos

[@mikefoehr235]

I guessed exhaust leak in part one causing excessive heat on the wiring...first time this year i was right. Was it bull💩 luck....maybe. Ivan, your knowledge is truly impressive and ya, that car runs like crap. Poor maintenance and/or poor quality.

[@anyheck]

You might look into "self amalgamating tape" for this type of repair subject to high temperature. It's non sticky tape that bonds to itself and forms a continuous wrap of silicone rubber in a few minutes. You'd need to get a thin version of it.

[@kostas3307]

Great job!! thank you for the awsome content!!

[@agmc4me]

Thanks for the video, great work solving that one.

[@jessicav2031]

One thing I don't understand: if someone puts in a new part, why don't they actually verify that it fixes the problem before closing everything up? If it doesn't fix it, why not put the old part back in??

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Great question Jessica!

[@markcarpenter3600]

I like the process of using the amp clamp as apposed to piercing probes. Could you have de-pinned the connectors and used shrink tubing on the wires?

[@carmo9693]

I like the use of a low wattage bulb and I do know they don't heat up like a stop bulb or fog/head lamp bulb, but keep it off the carpet it could cause some melting of the fiber of the rug. Better safe than sorry, not that this car was premo in any way. As Jose Silveira said in a sense of poor maintenance cascaded to cause the other ills of the car in time. The old adage pay me now or pay me more later. The mindset of some people. Great job I love the diagnostic procedure perfect.

[@bobsmith1101]

I would have been subject to that heat resistant wire loom from the get go. I'm out of cars for a while now, but I haven't seen it installed factory. I could be wrong. I use it at my work with DPF system wiring. Great job as usual.

[@throttlebottle5906]

a good visual inspection at first sign of a possible short, should have caught the meted loom to (transmission was it?) if it got hot enough to melt that which was further away from the metallic flex.... then the wires inside the metallic are likely chooched. OK, I have an unfair advantage at my age and past experience with electrical, electronics and more. but still 😒 although I've missed plenty of things over the years.

[@billyhorton5779]

All these comments of "poor maintenance this" and " poor maintenance that". With inflation through the roof, price of gas and its effect on everything, most peoples electric bill is as high (or higher) than their monthly rent. People are now forced, if it will start and run, to drive their cars it until just wont go anymore, maintenance is an afterthought. Great video of sticking with it till it is fixed, though Ivan!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Preventative maintenance is A LOT CHEAPER than breaking your car and then having to walk lmao

[@KarateSensei71]

The old 5 Why analysis, to get to the actual root cause of all those other failures. Great video as always, love these parts cannon fails videos. Also love bashing Dorman, I hate their stuff, always issues.

[@huntnfishnuts5880]

Nothing like a good basket case fix, I’m betting the torn intake snorkel started the slippery slope to melted wires. I see a lot of those torn but usually accompanied by lean codes.

[@raula.flores1185]

The suspense when you were cutting the shild was killing me.

[@tyronesart]

Awesome video as always 👍

[@billziegmond4943]

Great diagnostic my friend.

[@scottbbarry1723]

Ivan loves to rev cars up.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Channeling my inner Scotty Kilmer lol

[@porky7753]

🤣😂 " Honey, there goes Ivan passing by again in his custom exhaust Sentra"

[@kennethbode2017]

you would have hoped for a code related to fuel trims prior to the meltdown

[@raymondreiff8170]

Nice Save,Wonder how many Nissan's ended up in a scrap yard because of this wiring problem, This shows sometimes the problem is literally at the end of the rope, Great Content 👍🇺🇸.

[@juanrodriguez-ry6yt]

most common car at the bone yard they all need transmisions

[@raymondreiff8170]

@@juanrodriguez-ry6yt I have heard that, Any manual transmissions in those years, I like selecting my own Gears.

[@nickmalone3143]

I would extend all wires and reroute around away from exhaust manifold...its hard to see where it terminates...also could attach wire to heat shield to chassis to act as a heat sink

[@RJB88525]

lmao didn’t expect that car noise on the test drive

[@Ivo--]

I have to wonder who ended up paying for all those unnecessary parts. Was the shop upfront about their misdiagnosis (diagnoses, really) and did they eat part of or all of those costs? Or was their customer footed the bill for this clusterf*ck. Being a third party you have no say in how the shop deals with their customer, must be frustrating sometimes.

[@mesh1248]

Im sure the customer eat the costs maybe not right but the shop can argue replaceing parts is part of the diagnostic process

[@vadim7590]

I bet shop never told how exactly car was fixed, just we replaced a, b and c and that fixed the issue, here's your total.

[@SK-2ill]

The customer pays. And it's their fault. Ill bet you anything they go back to the same shop.

[@paisleyprince5280]

We don't know what part replacement was necessary anymore, all that is known is Ivan found harness damage.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

@@SK-2ill actually in this case I wouldn't feel too bad for the customer because the car died due to negligence 😅

[@Hybriddiag]

tech ivan=oem parts only 100% job done

[@mandytuning]

A little tip, get marine heat shrink the one with glue,make a cut thru side to open and slide over each wire .when you heat it and shrunk the glue is gonna close it back. Electrical tape on heat is gonna make a mess

[@victorgonza4528]

Excellent

[@atticstattic]

OEM Dilithium crystals, there is no substitute!

[@eacherenkeka]

What a great video Ivan! Excellent class to me on how to attack a short circuit, I learn a lot Ivan! I like the way you used the current clamp! I need to learn more about that! I bought the DVOM that you use but it does not read me frequency! Maybe I don't have to connect the negative test lead! I've had a lot of short to ground problems in that car usually when the corrugated tubes are damaged due to heat and wires touch sharp edges of the engines but not in the area where you find it! that was awesome! Thanks for sharing brother!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Thank you!

[@Echo024]

I once missed a power steering leak in a Nissan because of something similar. The foil protective insulation was zip tied on either side of the pressure hose and held all the leaked fluid in. Obviously the insulation was ineffective at keeping enough heat away.

[@alexvarelis4990]

Great video Ivan, can you explain the basic theory of using the amp clamp to locate the short?

[@tapiwarwizi8461]

im no expert by any stretch but what i understand is a shorted 5v is most probably from one stretch of wire that results in multiple wires reading zero volts because the voltage is shared, amp clamp will pinpoint were current is getting drawn thts were the shot is

[@Hndsomehubby]

Yep seen this before on basically the same year Nissan Sentra.

[@zx8401ztv]

Nicely cooked wiring, Gas mark 9.5 😀 Pity they didn't use a wire insulation with a much higher melting point near a hot hot engine. Lucky that the crappy non oem sensor finally worked, its still causing problems though.

[@markhancox5475]

Some folks just keep driving ignoring any obvious faults/strange noises etc. They only get them fixed when the car won’t actually move anymore. A small problem can take out real expensive parts if the issue is not fixed 🤔

[@dare2look]

I like to use fiberglass high temp tape it can handle some serious heat I used it when I worked in kitchen equipment repair would use on electric heating element connections and rubbed wires it doesn’t stick real well but I would wrap it then wrap with electrical tape after it heats it kind of molds to wire

[@DavidGutierrez-zi4dy]

thanks

[@vee985]

Do you think the tear in the intake tube caused the avalanche of problems?

[@scottwillaims5853]

Blocked cat, it blocks, pressure builds, blows out exhaust manifold gasket and melts wires

[@mikechiodetti4482]

Short answer.......yes.

[@robertw1871]

Probably going to want to twist those wires like they were from the factory, the twist is to balance the noise reduction of the pair, without the twist and fast rise times in the signal you could very well be facing a really tough problem to solve in the future when it starts getting intermittent timing glitches on the sensor under high interference such as when a cell phone is transmitting at high power when the tower is far off, or a truck with a bad plug wire goes by transmitting spark data…. That’d be a huge PITA to find…

[@peteysquirrelchaser9028]

A fiberglass sleeve over that harness would be the ticket.

[@Stambo59]

Doesn't need it, excess heat was due to it running lean and destroying the cat.

[@jackiemay9471]

i was thinking blocked cat or some sort of regen got exhaust super-hot poor design and routing of cables this npr got expensive for customer or did shop take hit now time to add the cat ouch thanks for the videos ivan

[@1231234abcab]

Nice

[@averyvm1]

Hey Ivan, What is that extension cable that you use to bring power from the battery? It looks like a power probe extension cable.

[@thomasdemarco617]

Hi Ivan could you spent a short time as to how you make your harnesses for testing or buy them also could you have remove the ckp sensor pins remove the plug pull the shield then upon finding the short shrink tube the individual wires etc. very interested in your simple test light procedures it would be could use some thought on how you make your test probes pin size etc. may be a great video with soppy source linkes thank you young man

[@wotnoturbo]

So would that be 2 diags, one for wiring & one for clogged cat or just one plus labour time for wiring repair, hard to get customers to understand how problems stack up & get fairly paid.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

I charged 3 hours total labor plus travel :)

[@abdul-kabiralegbe5660]

Honestly, getting customers to understand and believe that one issue is separate from the other is a pain in the *ss. However, we can learn from how doctors do it.

[@russellhancock9765]

I have a feeling that the Catalytic converter needs replacing.

[@jameswood9764]

Splice in some longer wires and re route in a different way?

[@wyatt1153]

"I forgot" is never a good excuse.

[@Charles_Mulberry_7977]

How about using Teflon (PTFE) coated wires?

[@hooptierescue2540]

Yeah, but why did the cat clog? Is this an oil burner?

[@oldbiker9739]

constipation is hard on cars too lol

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Needs TURBOLAX haha

[@somerandomguy3868]

I'm wondering what caused the the cat to load up, is that vintage pcv like earlier Nissans when the pcv gets clogged it causes oil consumption

[@chevboy4.813]

Use high temp Teflon jacket wire. Pricey, but should never happen again. I use it in all of my engine bay wire repairs.

[@fredwalker839]

Very good fix Ivan ! Fun WOW

[@haroldhawkins9370]

Some hi heat wrap would help on the exhaust.

[@screamingflat6]

That is fucking awesome!!!!!!!

[@annierenard5954]

thanks for this video

[@sakai101yahoo9]

I would use 3M High Temperature Fibreglass tubing to protect the wires.

[@frizzlefry1921]

Maybe it would be a good idea to get some of the newer heat tube fabric with metal infused outter? Parts cannon = expensive / bad "mechanics" = expensive / not any accusation here just a reminder of the basics.

[@ferrumignis]

The original heat shield was perfectly adequate for 14 years, it only failed due to severe overheating of the cat caused by a different fault.

[@literallyalwaysthejews5397]

To quote Andrew Camarata "It just caught on fire for literally no reason".

[@Graham_Wideman]

So Ivan, what moves would you pull out of your pocket to most quickly confirm a constricted cat? Engine running + IR heat gun before and after CAT? Or engine running + pressure sensor in the upstream O2 sensor hole? Or engine running + pressure sensor in a spark plug hole? Engine stopped + compressor attached to spark plug hole with that cylinder at exhaust phase? Or is there some observation you can make at the exhaust pipe?

[@literallyalwaysthejews5397]

A chisel.

[@Graham_Wideman]

@@literallyalwaysthejews5397 Not sure how "a chisel" addresses my question.

[@literallyalwaysthejews5397]

@@Graham_Wideman Wow I bet you're fun to hang out with. Did you hear the whoosh going over your head?

[@ferrumignis]

You can hear it and feel it. Total lack of power with the engine under load, very muted exhaust noise and flow at the tailpipe and high pitched noise when revved is pressurised exhaust gasses in the cylinder being pushed back out of the inlet valve when it opens.

[@Graham_Wideman]

@@ferrumignis Yes I realize those are likely symptoms of restricted exhaust in general. I was hoping Ivan might comment on his favored definitive test.