I drive a 1988 Nissan Sentra
Throttle body fuel Injection
Manual trans, brakes, steering
180,000+ miles
with plenty of work done on it.
new clutch, new fuel pump, new brakes
new shifter, new bearings, new engine (40,000 miles or so on it)

Recently, I was driving and it was raining pretty bad outside
I hit a puddle, and boom - my car dies.

I get it home, let it dry out for a few days cuz i thought something
might have just got wet. however, its still not running.
I turn the key, it cranks, but wont start. I turn the key to the
forward position, but dont actually try to start the car, and i get
rapid clicking from under the hood. My thoughts is the relay box
but it seems to be coming from under the air filter instead.

I took it to the local garage, and they ran a diagnostic on it, couldnt find
what was wrong. They say that I could have a bad computer. I DONT THINK
THIS IS THE PROBLEM, however I could be wrong. I dont know all that much about
cars. Not only that, but they're telling me it would be quote "400 dollars to order the part
plus an hour of labor to put it in. and that might not even be the problem."
this is unacceptable to me. I want to KNOW what the problem is before I get something fixed.

I've been told by various things by various people. Distributor cap, coil, relays, etc.
If anyone has any suggestions or anything, I'd appreciate it.
also, if anyone has the 1988 nissan manual, I'd like to know the part # for the computer.
I'll get it myself and put it in before I let the losers at the garage do it.

Thanks!!

 

IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE YOUR STATER OR STARTER/SOLENOID COMBO HAS GONE UP TO ME.[X(]

 

no it cant be the starter cause he says it cranks but wont start. it could be your rotor in the distributer cap has gone bad cause i had that happen to me once a mazda i owned but it happens to all cars that have a distributor, and also your fuel pump could of gone bad. i would check all your fuses and relays and see if all of them are good first, all it takes for an engine to run is AIR, FUEL, SPARK, And COMMPRESSION. you possibly might of sucked some water in your air box, or you could of crimped your exhaust if you hit is hard, or you got water into your car and your pcm could of got wet, if you must get a new ecu/pcm then i would check out ebay and your local salvage yard and get it for much cheaper, or take your car to an actual nissan dealer and have them take a look cause for a second opinion, i would if i were you. well good luck.

 

My guess would be water in your air box air filter....or your alternator

 

I would check your distributor cap and wires. If water or condensation gets under the cap that can cause misfires. Also, if your wires are corroded at the connections, or frayed anywhere, the extra condensation can cause it not to start. When that happens it sounds like it's trying to turn over but just seems to keep missing it right when it sounds like it's going to start.