1989 Nissan Sentra

1989 Nissan Sentra questions and answers

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Q: car trouble?
i have a 1989 nissan sentra that after overheating started stalling everytime i stopped. i put water in the car and brought it home little by little because i had no-one to tow it and i didnt want to make the problem worse. it makes a rattling sound and i heard its a warped head. my question is, is this a very expensive problem to fix? what needs to be done? i obviously know very little about cars and how they operate. your suggestions are greatly appreciated!

A: The first thing you need to do is have the cooling system pressure tested to verify if it is a head gasket or something else...once you know for sure what the problem is, then you can get a better idea of cost. Your wiring likely got soaked, which would account for it running badly, that may be other problems, but stick with what caused the overheating first...

Q: SR16VE vs SR20VET for engine swap?
Im starting a project car with a beat up 1989 nissan sentra and the first thing I to do is engine swap it. The stock motor is a 1.6 L GA16(i) I4 and i want to swap it out

A: Either engine would be ok however I would go with the SE20VET. 1st get stronger engine mounting brackets and replace the ones you have, then you can put in the SR20VET without having to need to replace the mounting brackets late, after you've done some spirited driving. Also make sure the SR16 wiring harness is good for your SR20, or you may need to fabricate (make up your own set).

Q: 92 nissan sentra ser 2.0 sr20de?
is this worth it ??? http://www.raceinspired.com/p-600-aem-cold-air-intake-nissan-sentra-se-r-1989-1993.aspx

A: save up and turbo charge that sucker...once you go turbo, you wont be needing that intake...

Q: How to install wiper motor...?
Can anyone tell me how to install a wiper motor on a 1989 Nissan Sentra?

A: Go to Pep Boys and get a Chilton's Repair Manual. It will give you step by step instructions with pictures

Q: what are some things i can do to get my car pass its smog?
i have a 1989 nissan sentra

A: The four top items are: 1. Catalytic converter. While you probably have too many miles, all converters are warrantied for 80,000 miles as mandated by the EPA (MUST be replaced at dealer if you qualify). If it has never been replaced, this is a very likely candidate. If you have to replace, have a muffler shop do it .. MUCH cheaper than Nissan. 2. O2 Sensor. If this is bad, however, your engine light should be on. If you are mechanical, you can very likely do this yourself. It will be screwed into the exhaust near the manifold and will have a single wire coming from it. 3. EGR valve. This recirculates a fraction of your exhaust gases back into your intake. 4. Engine Management Computer (EMC). This controls everything. I would check these in the order I mentioned. My bet is if you failed, it is most probably the converter or O2 sensor. I reputable shop should be able to tell you if you have the printout and numbers from the failed inspection. I don't know any way to get your car to temporarily pass with some workaround. In the old days, you could replace the air pump pulley with a smaller one to dilute the exhaust gases with the pumped-in air, but I doubt you have a pump on that vehicle. Good luck.

Q: I have a 1989 nissan sentra that will not start after giving someone a boost. could fuse be blown?


A: I wouldn't think it was your fuses, but it never hurts to check those, but seems like your battery is gone, or that your alternator was fried along with the process...So you'll want to have your alternator volts check as well as the amps that are comming out of your battery...

Q: Questions about '89 Nissan Sentra?
So, I just bought a 1989 Nissan Sentra (4 door, automatic) on Monday. Here's my questions: 1. It only has a radio, and seems to only play AM. Is there a way to switch/fix it back to FM? 2. My mom's friend has a CD player she thinks would work in this car (it came from her car). Is it possible to install a CD player where the radio is? 3. The idle is a little bit high. Is this a big deal? What do I do about it? 4. The speedometer is 5 miles fast (ex. if it reads I'm going 35 mph I'm really going 30 mph). Is this any easy fix? How much would it cost to fix? 5. The driver's door handle is partly broken off on the outside. There's a little piece left that you can pull to open it. Oh, and if you lock it from the inside then close the door the lock bounces (literally) back up. Hah how do I fix that? 6. It passed smog today but the guy said I'll need a new front axle soon. I know this will cost alot, but about how much? 7. The cigarette lighter doesn't work. (I'm thinking more for plugging my phone charger into it :P) Is there a way to fix that? 8. I want some seat covers but I can't find any along the lines of what I want. I'm thinking either peace signs or tie-dye. Does anyone know of a place to get those or at least a place that sells cheap white seat covers so I can make them myself? 9. Oh oh oh, last one. There's a little bit of rust on the driver's door. Know a way to get rid of that yucky stuff? That's all. Thank you!!

A: Here are some answers for select questions: 2. You have a standard "din" size radio space. There are 100's of am/fm/cd players that fit. A Nissan wiring harness will make it easy. Just see your local car stereo store or a Best Buy. 5. On this vintage Nissan, the bounce back on the lock is to prevent you from locking the keys in the car. You have to hold the outside handle in the up position as you close the door. Without a handle, this will be difficult, so use the key to lock it as you exit. 7. Likely the fuse. See your owners manual for the fuse box location and the cigarette lighter fuse location. You can get fuses most anywhere. 8. Check ebay or Pep Boys for seat covers. 9. Not worth fixing, it could be several hundred dollars. Hope this helps!

Q: Oil leaking in 1989 Nissan Sentra
Ok I bought this car like 3 days ago for 800 bucks. Realized it's leaking oil, how much would that cost to fix? Everything else works/sounds fine... oh except this question I had yesterday which was never answered...if you know what that light means would also be a big help :) http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ai9B8asVRpgMvdLWhdmv6Kzsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080811105101AAYncNp

A: it really depends on where the leak is and how much the gasket is or hose. it might be something simple like a valve cover leak. take about 30 minutes to do and the gasket would be 20 bucks or so. or it could be a front main seal. could be a head gasket. that could run you 60 for a metal head gasket and over 500 for labor. you didnt give enought time to answer your other question. it could be your oil pressure light coming on because of your oil leak. to find the leak: clean engine bay with a carb cleaner and do not get the battery terminals, coil packs and plugs wet. put a dye kit for you oil in it to see where the oil is coming out at. the dye kit will have some glasses and a light that you use to look for the dye coming out in the engine somewhere.

Q: I just bought a 1989 nissan sentra 4cyl. 3 speed auto. When the gas guage shows about half the car stalls?
My car turns off when tank is half way but I know there is still fuel because I go fill it and only takes about 6 u.s gal and it holds a capacity of 13. When its above half runs excellent replaced fuel filter already and has an outside fuel pump any ideas?

A: Sounds like you have a crack in your pickup tube. A new fuel line in the tank should fix the problem.

Q: Long question.. 1989 Nissan Sentra code 12?
any nissan guys on here? well here it goes. the code 12 means air flow sensor circut. i have replaced the air flow meter, twice... the car gets too much gas, black smoke, bucking and jerking. checked the wires, cleaned connections. is there any other way to get the computer to work with a different sensor or something? really at a loss.

A: i own a shop and the problem is the fuel injectors are over compensating for the air flow meter on it ,it thinks it needs more gas try and disconnect the o-2 sensor and start it and see what it does,the o-2 sensor may be going bad,and allowing it to over feed the injectors ,also check the pressure regulator on it,this will cause the identical same problem with it,good luck maybe this will help.

Q: Do they make chrome tail lights for a 1989 Nissan Sentra?
I am trying to find some for one of my cars.

A: I've seen it happen before, so yes.

Q: Will the windows from a 1989 Nissan Sentra fit into a 1985 Nissan Maxima?


A: not even close,maxima windows will interchange between all maximas from 1985 to 1988,but that's it

Q: What do i do if my 1989 Nissan Sentra driver side window is stuck?
I have taken off the interior of the door and looked around and found that the wire that pulls the window up and down on the track is frayed about to snap . I need to know how much and (if they even make the ires anymore ) where to get it ? oh and how do i connect a y audio cable to the factory installed radio ? thank you for your answers .

A: About the window... you should be able to replace the wire yourself, just cut it where it is bad and put a new piece of wire there. Now about the cable on the factory radio, as far as I know, you can not conect anything to it... it would be best to just put an aftermarket sterio in the can and instead of cutting the wires, go buy an adapter kit from wal-mart or an autoparts store like autozone that you just connect the wires to the new radio and it will plug into the factory wires on the car from the original radio... the thats where you can conect the extra cables at.

Q: how do i turn off the check engine light on my 1989 nissan sentra?
the check engine light came on on my 1989 nissan sentra. there doesnt seem to be a problem , what could be the cause?

A: 1) Sit in the driver's seat. 2) Turn the ignition key to the ON position and wait three seconds. (Do not start the car.) 3) Fully depress and release the accelerator pedal five times in less than five seconds. 4) Wait exactly seven seconds. Fully depress the accelerator pedal for ten seconds until the check engine light flashes. 5) Hold down the accelerator pedal again for more than 10 seconds while the CE light is blinking. That should reset it.

Q: what mpg should I get on a 1989 nissan sentra 4cyl 3spd auto?
I just bought a used 1989 nissan sentra with 130000 miles its 4cyl 3speed auto and gives me about 20-22 mpg is that right i read it should be about 30

A: You need to make sure your fuel system is working properly. 20 year old Sentras are lucky to be running at all. Yes back when the O2 sensor was still functioning and the skinny tires were still on that car it could pull down 30 or more miles a gallon. The 1.6 liter motor might have issues start with a compression test 143 minium and 165 nominal 180 psi brand new. All 4 with less than 14/15 psi difference please. 22 miles a gallon around town up to 33 highway at 55 to 60 mph. Good Luck