How to Troubleshoot a 1986 Nissan Sentra

Fix your Nissan Sentra yourself and save money.

Attempting to troubleshoot car problems on your own can be a stressful task. With so many possible malfunctions in your vehicle, it is more responsible not to presume the problem. However, with all of the information on the Internet and the selection of repair manuals available, there is no reason to immediately take your vehicle to a mechanic. Although there are some repair issues that are better left to a mechanic, there are many repairs that you can do at home. You should diagnose the problem and then decide whether it would be worth fixing yourself.
Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
1

Check the dashboard for any warning lights. Older cars have lights that appear on the dashboard if there are any issues with their engines.
2

Inspect the engine for any apparent problems. Check the terminals on the battery and the levels of fluids in the vehicle, and look for any electrical wires that are not connected. Check the fuse box to make sure that you have not blown a fuse. The fuse box is normally located near the brake pedal.
3

Listen to any abnormal sounds that your Sentra is making. Open the hood and locate the source of the noise. It is also a good idea to pay attention to any odd smells that may be coming from the vehicle.
4

Refer to your vehicle owner's manual for troubleshooting techniques. If you do not have the original owner's manual. You may be able to contact Nissan to get one. It is difficult to locate the owner's manual on cars over 15 years old.
5

Purchase an automotive repair manual for your Nissan Sentra. Free repair manuals are usually available for newer models of cars but with older cars, repair manuals must be purchased. You can purchase a manual from your local auto repair store or by searching the Internet. Two dependable brands of repair manuals are Haynes and Chilton.
6

Use an online diagnostic chart from Iftijams.com. Iftijams.com has created a flow chart to help with any troubleshooting problems. They have created four charts that are broken down into different start points such as break problems, engine overheating, starting problems, and engine and wheel noises. This useful tool is free and will assist you by asking simple questions.
7

Take your Sentra to an auto mechanic. Ask the mechanic to troubleshoot the problem for you and then discuss pricing and options. Many mechanics will look at the vehicle and give you a price quote to fix the problem. You can then decide whether fixing the problem yourself would be a better approach.