1987 Nissan Sentra Choke Problem?

Question

I have a 1987 Nissan Sentra California model.

When I go to start it when it is cold I press the gas pedal to the floor and release it and then turn the key.

The car starts fine with a nice fast idle.

Once I press the pedal even a little bit the fast idle is lost and the car dies immediately.

The car will start and keep running if I keep my foot into the pedal a bit or if I set the choke.

The problem is that I am losing my fast idle once I depress the pedal a bit.

Once the car warms up it idles fine.

Does this sound like a bad automatic choke mechanism or heater?

I will first check to see if there is voltage going to it.

al · Accepted Answer

The California car has the electric choke so it is likely that's where the problem is. On the non-California car the idle speed when cold is determined by the control vacuum generated by the Vacuum Control Modulator Valve (VCMV) which is mounted on the right fender with four rubber vacuum lines and one three prong electrical connector going to it. If your choke checks out OK, then test the VCMV. You can put a vacuum gauge in the control vacuum line and see if it is low (2 to 3 "Hg) when cold and rises to 4 to 5 "Hg when hot. If it idles fine when warm, it likely is one of these two components although there are other possibilities. Good luck. Al

1987 Nissan Sentra Choke Problem?

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