1989 Nissan Pickup

D - ADJUSTMENTS - 4-CYL 1989 ENGINE PERFORMANCE On-Vehicle Adjustments

D - ADJUSTMENTS - 4-CYL

1989 ENGINE PERFORMANCE On-Vehicle Adjustments

INTRODUCTION
ENGINE COMPRESSION

Check compression pressure with engine at normal operating temperature, all spark plugs removed (on dual
spark plug, remove exhaust side only), throttle valves wide open and at specified cranking speed. On Pulsar NX
SE with Direct Ignition System (DIS), disconnect power transistor harness connector. On other models,
disconnect distributor harness connector.

On all models, remove fuel pump fuse before cranking engine. Crank engine at least 6 revolutions to determine
engine compression. Compression reading should be as specified. See ENGINE COMPRESSION table.

ENGINE COMPRESSION
Model Standard psi (kg/cm2 ) Minimum psi (kg/cm2 ) Minimum RPM
Pathfinder & Pickup 173 (12.2) 131 (9.2) 350
Pulsar NX SE/XE 181 (13.0) 142 (10.0) 350
Sentra 181 (13.0) 142 (10.0) 350
Stanza 171 (12.0) 128 (9.0) 350
240SX (1) 192 (13.5) 142 (10.0) 300
(1) After engine code KA24-012039 specifications changed to: standard compression 175 psi (12.3
kg/cm2 ) and minimum compression 146 psi (10.3 kg/cm2 ).

VALVE CLEARANCE

NOTE: All models except Pathfinder and Pickup equipped with 4-cylinder engines use
hydraulic lifters. No adjustments are required.

Pathfinder & Pickup (4-Cyl.)

1. Engine must be at normal operating temperature. Remove valve cover and rotate crankshaft to bring No.
1 piston to TDC on compression stroke.
2. Adjust intake valves on cylinders No. 1 and No. 2. Adjust exhaust valves on cylinders No. 1 and No. 3.
3. Rotate crankshaft 360 degrees to bring No. 4 piston to TDC on compression stroke. Adjust intake valves
on cylinders No. 3 and No. 4. Adjust exhaust valves on cylinders No. 2 and No. 4.

VALVE CLEARANCE ADJUSTMENT

Model Cold - In. (mm) Hot - In. (mm)
Pathfinder & Pickup
Intake .008 (.21) .012 (.30)

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D - ADJUSTMENTS - 4-CYL 1989 ENGINE PERFORMANCE On-Vehicle Adjustments

Exhaust .009 (.23) .012 (.30)

4-CYLINDER IGNITION TIMING

Pulsar NX SE

1. Disconnect intake air duct and air hoses. Remove cover from ignition coils. Remove No. 1 ignition coil.
2. Connect No. 1 ignition coil to No. 1 spark plug with a high tension wire. Connect timing light to this
wire. Connect air hoses and start engine.
3. Timing can be adjusted by turning crank angle sensor, located on front timing belt cover. Loosen 3 crank
angle sensor mounting screws and turn sensor until specified ignition timing is obtained. See 4-
CYLINDER IGNITION TIMING table. See Fig. 1 .

All Other Models

1. Warm engine to normal operating temperature. Turn off all accessories. Place transmission in Neutral
(man. trans.) or in Drive (auto. trans.). On models with power steering, keep wheels in straight ahead
position. Adjust idle speed.
2. On Sentra and Pulsar NX XE, turn engine off and disconnect throttle sensor harness connector if timing
needs to be adjusted. On all models, connect timing light. Loosen distributor hold-down bolt and turn
distributor until specified ignition timing is obtained. Retighten distributor hold-down bolt and recheck
timing. See 4-CYLINDER IGNITION TIMING table. See Fig. 1 .

Fig. 1: 4-Cylinder Ignition Timing Mark Location

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

4-CYLINDER IGNITION TIMING (Degrees BTDC @ RPM)

Application Manual Transmission Automatic Transmission
Pathfinder & Pickup 8-12@750-850 (1) 8-12@650-750

Pulsar NX SE (2) 15@750-850 (1) (2) 7@650-750

Pulsar NX XE (2) (3) 7@700-900 (1) (3) 7@650-850

Sentra (2) (3) 7@700-900 (1) (2) (3) 7@600-800

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D - ADJUSTMENTS - 4-CYL 1989 ENGINE PERFORMANCE On-Vehicle Adjustments

Stanza 13-17@700-800 (1) 13-17@650-800

240SX 13-17@700-800 (4) 13-17@700-800

(1) Autonatic transmission in Drive.

(2) Feedback controlled RPM.

(3) Adjust timing with throttle sensor harness disconnected.

(4) Automatic transmission in Neutral.

IDLE SPEED & MIXTURE

NOTE: Mixture adjustment is NOT a part of normal tune-up procedure and should not
be performed unless mixture control unit is replaced or vehicle fails emissions
testing.

4-Cylinder Idle Speed: Pathfinder & Pickup

1. Place transmission in Neutral (man. trans.) or in Park (auto. trans.). Set parking brake and start engine.
Turn off all accessories and headlights. Keep front wheels straight ahead.
2. Connect tachometer coil Adapter (EG11170000 ) between ignition coil primary terminals and harness
connector. Connect tachometer to adapter harness. Bring engine to normal operating temperature.
3. Run engine to about 2000 RPM for 2 minutes under no load. Race engine (2000-3000 RPM) 2-3 times
and let idle for one minute. Check idle speed in Drive (auto. trans.) or in Neutral (man. trans.). See 4-
CYLINDER IDLE SPEED & CO LEVEL table. Adjust idle speed by turning idle screw on throttle body.
See Fig. 2 .

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 1989 Nissan Pickup
D - ADJUSTMENTS - 4-CYL 1989 ENGINE PERFORMANCE On-Vehicle Adjustments

Fig. 2: Pathfinder & Pickup 4-Cylinder Idle Speed Adjustment

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

4-Cylinder Idle Speed: Pulsar NX SE, Stanza & 240SX

1. Start and warm engine to normal operating temperature. Run engine at about 2000 RPM for 2 minutes
under no load. Race engine 2 to 3 times and let idle for one minute.
2. Check idle speed in Drive on automatic transmission models. Ensure idle speed is below 800 RPM.
Adjust idle speed. See 4-CYLINDER IDLE SPEED & CO LEVEL table. On Pulsar NX SE & Stanza,
disconnect Auxiliary Air Control (AAC) valve harness connector. On all models, disconnect throttle
valve sensor/switch harness connector. Adjust idle speed by turning adjusting screw on Idle Air Adjusting
(IAA) unit. See Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 . Reconnect harness connectors and recheck idle speed.

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 1989 Nissan Pickup
D - ADJUSTMENTS - 4-CYL 1989 ENGINE PERFORMANCE On-Vehicle Adjustments

Fig. 3: Pulsar NX SE & Stanza Idle Speed Adjustment

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A

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 1989 Nissan Pickup
D - ADJUSTMENTS - 4-CYL 1989 ENGINE PERFORMANCE On-Vehicle Adjustments

Fig. 4: 240SX Idle Speed Adjustment

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A

4-Cylinder Idle Speed: Pulsar NX XE & Sentra

1. Start and warm engine to normal operating temperature. Turn off all accessories and keep front wheels in
straight ahead position. Disconnect throttle sensor harness connector. Start and race engine 2-3 times
under no load and let idle. Check idle speed
2. Adjust idle speed by turning idle adjusting screw on throttle body. See Fig. 5 . Turn engine off.
Reconnect throttle sensor harness connector. Start engine. Recheck idle speed in Drive (auto. trans.) or
Neutral (man. trans.). See 4-CYLINDER IDLE SPEED & CO LEVEL table.

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 1989 Nissan Pickup
D - ADJUSTMENTS - 4-CYL 1989 ENGINE PERFORMANCE On-Vehicle Adjustments

Fig. 5: Pulsar NX XE & Sentra Idle Speed Adjustment

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

NOTE: On 4-cylinder Pathfinder, Pickup and 240SX, no provision for idle mixture
adjustment is given.

4-Cylinder Idle Mixture: Pathfinder & Pickup

1. Place transmission in Neutral (man. trans.) or in Park (auto. trans.). Set parking brake and start engine.
Turn all accessories and headlights off. Keep front wheels straight ahead.
2. Connect tachometer coil Adapter (EG11170000 ) between ignition coil primary terminals and harness
connector. Connect tachometer to adapter harness. Bring engine to normal operating temperature.
3. Run engine to about 2000 RPM for 2 minutes under no load. Check idle mixture ratio by watching ECU
Green LED inspection light. Inspection light should flash at least the correct number of times in 10
seconds. See GREEN LED FEEDBACK RESPONSE table in this article. If mixture ratio is okay, go to
step 4). If light does not flash at least the indicated number of times, go to step 6).
4. Race engine (2000-3000 RPM) 2-3 times. Return engine to idle. Turn engine off. On 2WD models,
disconnect and plug cold Air Injection Valve (AIV) hose. On 4WD models, disconnect and plug hot AIV
hose. On all models, restart engine. Disconnect throttle sensor harness connector.
5. Set ECU diagnostic mode selector to Mode 2. Refer to G - 4-CYL TESTS W/CODES article. If Green
and Red ECU inspection lights are flashing simultaneously, idle mixture ratio is okay.

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6. If mixture ratio is not correct, perform self-diagnosis and repair procedures for fuel pressure, airflow
meter, injectors, coolant temperature sensor and oxygen sensor. No provision for adjustment is given on
airflow meter. Reconnect throttle harness connector and AIV hoses.

GREEN LED RESPONSE

GREEN LED FEEDBACK RESPONSE

Application Flashes (@ 2000 RPM)
Pathfinder & Pickup 7
Pulsar NX SE 9
Pulsar NX XE 5
Sentra 5
Stanza 9
240SX 5

Pulsar NX SE/XE, Sentra, Stanza & 240SX

1. Start and warm engine to normal operating temperature. Run engine at about 2000 RPM for 2 minutes
under no load. Perform ECCS self diagnosis. Refer to G - 4-CYL TESTS W/CODES article.
2. Maintain engine speed at 2000 RPM. Check idle mixture ratio by watching ECU Green LED inspection
light. Inspection light should flash at least the correct number of times in 10 seconds. See GREEN LED
FEEDBACK RESPONSE table in this article. If mixture ratio is okay, go to step 3). If not, go to step 4).
3. Disconnect idle switch harness connector. Race engine 2 or 3 times and return to idle. Set ECU diagnosis
selector to Mode 2. Refer to G - 4-CYL TESTS W/CODES article. Check ECU Green and Red LED
inspection lights. Lights should be flashing simultaneously if fuel mixture ratio is right. If not correct on
240SX, go to step 5).
4. On all models except 240SX, adjust idle mixture by turning variable resistor on airflow meter. See Fig.
6 , Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 . Check Red and Green ECU inspection lights and ensure they are flashing
simultaneously at 2000 RPM under no load.
5. On 240SX (non-adjustable) and models where adjustment cannot be brought into specification, check
oxygen sensor harness connector, oxygen sensor, ECCS control unit or airflow meter. Repair or replace
component(s) as necessary.

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 1989 Nissan Pickup
D - ADJUSTMENTS - 4-CYL 1989 ENGINE PERFORMANCE On-Vehicle Adjustments

Fig. 6: Pulsar NX SE Mixture Adjustment

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

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 1989 Nissan Pickup
D - ADJUSTMENTS - 4-CYL 1989 ENGINE PERFORMANCE On-Vehicle Adjustments

Fig. 7: Pulsar NX XE & Sentra Mixture Adjustment

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A

Fig. 8: Stanza Mixture Adjustment

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A

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D - ADJUSTMENTS - 4-CYL 1989 ENGINE PERFORMANCE On-Vehicle Adjustments

4-CYLINDER IDLE SPEED & CO LEVEL

Application Idle RPM CO Level
Pathfinder & Pickup
Automatic Transmission (1) 600-700 1.0-7.0%
Manual Transmission 750-850 1.0-7.0%
Pulsar NX SE
Automatic Transmission (1) (2) 650-750 Less than 5%
Manual Transmission (2) 750-850 Less than 5%
Pulsar NX XE
Automatic Transmission (1) (3) 625-725 3.0-10.0%
Manual Transmission (3) 675-775 3.0-10.0%
Sentra
Automatic Transmission (1) 575-675 3.0-10.0%
Manual Transmission 675-775 3.0-10.0%
Stanza
Automatic Transmission (1) 650-750 Less than 5%
Manual Transmission 700-800 Less than 5%
240SX
Automatic Transmission (4) 700-800 Less than 5%
Manual Transmission (5) 700-800 Less than 5%
(1) Automatic transmission in Drive.

(2) Adjust with AAC solenoid harness disconnected.

(3) Adjust with throttle sensor harness disconnected.

(4) Auto. trans. in Neutral.

(5) 650-750 RPM after engine code KA24-012039.

THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (TPS) & IDLE SWITCH ADJUSTMENT

NOTE: Idle switch and throttle position sensor are contained in a single assembly. All
testing procedures are made with engine at normal operating temperature.

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Fig. 9: Idle Switch & Throttle Position Sensor Assembly

Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.

4-Cylinder Engines: Pathfinder & Pickup (Idle Switch)

1. Disconnect idle switch harness connector. Start and warm up engine. Connect ohmmeter leads between
terminals "B" and "C". See Fig. 9 .
2. Check idle switch "off/on" speed. Manually open throttle. Idle switch should turn on within the range of
1350-2150 RPM. If not, loosen idle switch hold-down screws and rotate unit to set "off/on" speed to
specified value.

4-Cylinder Engines: Pathfinder & Pickup (Throttle Position Sensor)

1. Connect voltmeter between ECU terminal No. 19 and ground. For terminal identification, see WIRING
DIAGRAMS article in this section. Turn ignition switch on. Depress accelerator pedal. Voltage reading
should increase from 0.5 to 4.0 volts. If not, go to next step.
2. Turn ignition switch off. Disconnect throttle sensor harness connector. Using an ohmmeter, check
continuity between terminals "D" and "E" on throttle position sensor. See Fig. 9 .
3. Reading should change when throttle valve is opened and closed. If not, check harness connector, harness
continuity between ECU or replace throttle position sensor.

4-Cylinder Engines: Pulsar NX SE (Idle Switch)

1. Disconnect idle switch harness connector. Start and warm up engine. Connect ohmmeter leads between
terminals "A" and "B". See Fig. 9 .
2. Check idle switch "off/on" speed. Manually open throttle. Idle switch should turn on within the range of

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900-1200 RPM (man. trans.) or 800-1100 RPM (auto. trans. in Neutral). If not, loosen idle switch hold-
down screws and rotate to set "off/on" speed to specified value.

4-Cylinder Engines: Pulsar NX SE (Throttle Position Sensor)

1. Connect voltmeter between ECU terminal No. 19 and ground. Turn ignition switch on. Depress
accelerator pedal. Voltage reading should increase from 0.5 to 4.0 volts. If not, go to next step.
2. Disconnect throttle sensor harness connector. Using an ohmmeter, check continuity between sensor
terminals "D" and "E".
3. Reading should change when throttle valve is opened and closed. If not, check harness connector, harness
continuity between ECU or replace throttle position sensor.

4-Cylinder Engines: Pulsar NX XE & Sentra (Idle Switch)

1. Disconnect idle switch harness connector. Start and warm up engine. Connect ohmmeter leads between
terminals "A" and "B". See Fig. 9 .
2. Check idle switch "off/on" speed. Manually open throttle, idle switch should turn on within the range of
1700-2000 RPM (man. trans.) or 1650-1950 RPM (auto. trans. in Neutral). If not, loosen idle switch hold-
down screws and rotate switch to set "off/on" speed to specified value.

4-Cylinder Engines: Pulsar NX XE & Sentra (Throttle Position Sensor)

1. Connect voltmeter between ECU terminal No. 19 and ground. Turn ignition switch on. Depress
accelerator pedal. Voltage reading should increase from 0.4 to 4.0 volts. If not, go to next step.
2. Disconnect throttle sensor harness connector. Using an ohmmeter, check continuity between terminals
"D" and "E" on wiring harness side.
3. Reading should smoothly change when throttle valve is opened and closed. If not, check harness
connector, harness continuity between ECU or replace throttle position sensor.

4-Cylinder Engines: Stanza (Idle/WOT Switch)

1. Turn ignition switch to on. Check voltage between ECU terminal No. 18 and ground, and ECU terminal
No. 21 and ground.
2. With throttle valve in the fully closed position, terminal No. 18 and ground should read between 9-10
volts and terminal No. 21 and ground should read zero volt. If okay, go to step 3). If not, go to step 6).
3. With throttle valve in open half-way position, terminal No. 18 and terminal No. 21 and ground should
read zero volt. If okay, go to step 4). If not, go to step 6).
4. With throttle valve in full open position, terminal No. 18 and ground should read zero volt, and terminal
No. 21 and ground should read 9-10 volts. If okay, go to step 5). If not, go to step 6).
5. Switch ECU self-diagnosis to Mode 4, this will also erase memory. Ensure that Red ECU inspection light
comes on and off when accelerator pedal is depressed and released. If not, check for trouble codes (Mode
3). Repair or replace affected components. If okay, perform driving test and ECU self-diagnosis Mode 3
again.
6. Disconnect throttle valve switch harness connector. Check resistance between terminals "A" and "B" with
throttle valve fully closed and terminals "B" and "C" with throttle valve fully opened. See Fig. 9 .
Resistance on both should read zero ohms. If not, check power source and ground circuit to ECU.

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D - ADJUSTMENTS - 4-CYL 1989 ENGINE PERFORMANCE On-Vehicle Adjustments

4-Cylinder Engines: 240SX (Idle Switch)

1. Disconnect idle switch harness connector. Start and warm up engine. Connect ohmmeter leads between
terminals "B" and "C". See Fig. 9 .
2. Check idle switch "off/on" speed. Manually open throttle. Idle switch should turn on within the range of
850-1150 RPM in Neutral. If not, loosen idle switch hold-down screws and rotate switch body to set
"off/on" speed to specified value.

4-Cylinder Engines: 240SX (Throttle Position Sensor)

1. Connect voltmeter between throttle sensor terminal "E" and ground. Turn ignition switch on. Depress
accelerator pedal. Voltage reading should increase from 0.5 to 4.0 volts. If not, go to next step.
2. Disconnect throttle sensor harness connector. Using an ohmmeter, check continuity between terminals
"E" and "F" on sensor side.
3. Reading should smoothly change when throttle valve is opened and closed. If not, check harness
connector, harness continuity between ECU or replace throttle position sensor.

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