engine almost dies at normal temps

my sisters' 94 starts and runs fine until it warms up then it runs terrible. flooring the gas gets her to about 10 mph with a burning smell. the only code set is a 34, knock sensor. the mechanic she took it to replaced the first cat converter and didn't fix the problem. now he wants to change out the second cat. i think they're just guessing, anybody have any suggestions?

The distributor is more than likely the problem (common on these vans).You can try cleaning it with contact cleaner before replacing it. Remove dist.cap,remove metal plate inside and spray the indexing plate and camshaft sensor and reassemble.

The distributor is more than likely the problem (common on these vans).You can try cleaning it with contact cleaner before replacing it. Remove dist.cap,remove metal plate inside and spray the indexing plate and camshaft sensor and reassemble.


the distributor was replaced a few months ago, i'll double check it to see if it's failed already. have any ideas on how to reset the 34 code? it could be left over from when the dist. was replaced last.

Disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes should clear the code,if not leave battery disconnected 24 hours to reset the vans keep alive memory and pcm stored values.

thanks for the quick responce, i wont be able to go after the problem again until after monday. gotta make a quick run to Reno. i'll leave the battery dissconected over the weekend.

YOO! sorry to bring this thread back from the dead but did you ever find out the problem?

YOO! sorry to bring this thread back from the dead but did you ever find out the problem?

never did, sorry.

So what did ya end up doing to the car? Did ya blow it up?

So what did ya end up doing to the car? Did ya blow it up?

That would have been more fun but she ended up selling it for salvage value to a mechanic. That was the first, last and only Nissan in the family. She ended up getting a 94 Pontiac Transport that has just been a gem so far.

It was probably a broken crankshaft snout. That affects the timing belt and screws up the injector timing too. This will make it run rich and retarded timing and will fry a catylitic converter in no time.
These Villagers and Quests are bullet proof except for the weak crank snout in 93 -95. If you replace the a/c belt and overtighten the tensioer, it will put too much side load on the crank. Nissan did not design for overtightening, which is quite common in the field.

Also, go here for Village/Quest help