1988 Nissan Pulsar problems
The Nissan Pulsar (Japanese: 日産・パルサー, Hepburn: Nissan Parusā) is a line of automobiles produced by the Japanese automaker Nissan from 1978 until 2000, when it was replaced by the Nissan Bluebird Sylphy in the Japanese market.
Between 2000 and 2005, the name "Pulsar" has been used in Australia and New Zealand on rebadged versions of the Sylphy. This arrangement continued until the introduction of the Nissan Tiida (C11) in 2005; at this time the Pulsar name was retired. In 2013, Nissan replaced the Tiida in Australia and New Zealand with two new models badged as Pulsar. These were based on the Sylphy (B17) sedan and Tiida (C12) hatchback, the latter also sold in Thailand under the Pulsar name. In 2014, a European-only replacement for the Tiida was introduced using the Pulsar nameplate.
The original Pulsar was a hatchback to be sold exclusively at a different Nissan Japan dealership network called Nissan Cherry Store as a larger five-door hatchback alternative to the Nissan Cherry. Although Pulsar models were front-wheel drive from introduction, Nissan did offer four-wheel drive as an option on select models internationally.
The Pulsar sold in Japan originally served as the intermediate model offered at Nissan dealerships Nissan Cherry Store between the Nissan Violet and the Cherry, while different versions of the Pulsar sold at other Japanese networks served as the base model, with other larger Nissan products. Various Pulsar-based models were exported as international market conditions dictated, sometimes labeled as "Sunny", "Cherry" or "Sentra", while the internationally labeled product was actually a Pulsar and not a Japanese market Sunny or Cherry.
The name "Pulsar" is taken from pulsar (portmanteau of pulsating star), a highly magnetized, rotating neutron star.
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Common 1988 Nissan Pulsar problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 1988 Nissan Pulsar, several common problems have been identified:
- Clutch Cable and Headlight Problems:
Some owners have experienced recurring issues with the clutch cable snapping and malfunctioning pop-up headlights. These issues can affect the drivability and safety of the vehicle, requiring frequent repairs and replacements.
- Starter Armature and Starting Problems:
Problems with the starter armature can result in starting issues, where the brushes in the starter motor fail to make good contact. This can lead to difficulties starting the car, requiring repairs or replacement of the starter system.
- Starting Issues After Welding:
Owners have reported starting problems after welding on the vehicle without disconnecting the battery. This oversight can lead to electrical system issues, affecting the starting mechanism and requiring troubleshooting to resolve the starting problem.
- Ignition Coil Problems:
Some owners have faced issues with the ignition coil, leading to the car not running smoothly. This can impact the overall performance of the vehicle, causing rough driving during the initial 20 minutes of operation. Addressing ignition coil problems is crucial to ensure proper engine function and smooth driving experience.
Is A Nissan Pulsar a reliable car?
In a nutshell, these were pretty reliable cars mechanically speaking. Simple and fairly rugged, they were not known to have any major, endemic problems.
Which Nissan Pulsar engine is best?
The Nissan Pulsar only offered a limited range of engines, but they're all pretty good. Most impressive is actually the entry-level 1.2-litre DIG-T, a four-cylinder turbo with 115PS and a very strong amount of pulling power from low revs.
How many miles can Nissan Pulsar last?
The estimated lifespan of a Nissan Pulsar is 161,000mi, before reaching the life expectancy upper limit. Fuel type is a major factor when looking into a vehicles lifespan/life expectancy.
How much horsepower does a 1988 Nissan Pulsar have?
While most Pulsars carried an anemic single-cam four cylinder, the SE had a 130 horsepower twin-cam CA18DE under the hood.
1988 Nissan Pulsar car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Nissan Pulsar problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Nissan Pulsar vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1988 Nissan Pulsar complaints
The NHTSA has received 8 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Nissan Pulsar.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-08-01
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: FILL IN
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. PRIVATE MECHANIC LOOKED AT VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DETERMINE A REASON FOR FAILURE. CONSUMER DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN SHE REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER AT A STOP LIGHT. BRAKES WERE FUNCTIONAL 2 MONTHS AFTER ACCIDENT, THEN FAILED AGAIN. ERRATIC OPERATION WITH BRAKE FAILURE 3 TIMES. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JN1PN34SXJM
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHEN WE WERE WAITING BEFORE A RED LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN, IT BECAME DEAD SUDDENLY. THIS SITUATION HAPPENED FIVE TIMES WITHIN ONE WEEK. FOR THESE FIVE TIMES,WE RESTARTED IT AFTER A WHILE FOR THREE TIMES, JUMPED IT ONE TIME AND THE OTHER TIME WE COULD NOT RESTART IT AT THE ACCIDENT SCENE(WITHOUT TRYING TO JUMP IT) BUT MADE IT THE NEXT DAY. WE HAVE CHANGED THE BATTERY AND SENT IT TO AUTO REPAIR. THE MECHANIAN CHECKED IT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM! *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-02-12
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT I WAS UNAWARE OF ANYONE WHOME COULD HELP ME. I HAVE PAPERS PROVING THAT IN 1988 NISSAN PULSARS , AFTER 30,000 MILES, PLATINUM PARKS PLUGS ARE TO BE USED DURING A TUNE UP. IN THE BOSH MANUAL FOR SPARK PLUGS IT STATES THAT THIS IS UNNECCESARY. NISSAN AGREES THAT IS IS, HOWEVER, FAILES TO DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH BOSH. BOSH ALSO REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. OR TO CHANGE THEIR MANUAL. THE DAMAGE DONE TO MY VEHICLE DUE TO NON PLATINUM SPARK PLUGS BEING USED WAS FOR MY COILS TO BURN UP. DURING THIS SAME TIME IT WAS FOUND THAT MY VALVES WERE ALL BENT. THE TOTAL BILL WAS 2,000 DOLLARS, HOWEVER, I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH WAS DUE TO THE SPARK PLUGS. I WAS WARN OUT IN PURSUEING THIS BY DISAPPEARING EMPLOYEES AND PHONE NUMBERS SUDDENLY DISCONNECTED WHENEVER A SOLUTION WAS NEAR. DURING THIS TIME I WAS UNDER FINANCIAL STRAIN AND WAS UNABLE TO TRAVEL TO INDIANA SMALL CLAIMS TO PURSUE THE ISSUE. HAVE YOU HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE?
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-04-01
- VIN: JN1CN34S5JM
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: FUEL INJECTORS LEAK SIMILARLY TO 300ZX,200SX,AND MAXIMA THAT WERE VOLUNTARILY REPAIRED BY NISSAN. THERE IS A GREAT FIRE DANGER AND MILEAGE AND DRIVABILITY PROBLEM. NISSAN REFUSES TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, STATING THAT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF A DEFECT IN THE INJECTORS OF THE '88 PULSAR WITH MULTI-PORT INJECTION EVENTHOUGH IT IS THE SAME MANUFACTURER AS THE REPLACED '88 300 ET AL, AND HAS THE SAME EXACT SAFETY PROBLEM. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-02-09
- VIN: JN1PN34S5JM
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: CRACKED HEAD GASKET, CAUSING OIL LEAK.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-02-09
- VIN: JN1PN34S5JM
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: POWER STEERING RACK FAILED. *DSH
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-02-09
- VIN: JN1PN34S5JM
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: RIGHT AXLE FAILED.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JN1CN34S6JM
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: EXPERIENCING FUEL LEAK IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, RECALL THAT RELATES, BUT NOT INLCUDED (87V-191). *AK
1988 Nissan Pulsar recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1988 Nissan Pulsar.
- Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
- Summary: THE SOLDERED JOINT WHERE INLET PIPE ATTACHES TO THE FUEL TANK MAY BE CRACKED.
- Consequence: FUEL MAY SEEP THROUGH THE JOINT AND POSE A FIRE HAZARD.
- Remedy: REPLACE FUEL TANK IF THERE IS SEEPAGE OR CRACK.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1988 Nissan Pulsar problems:
Q&A: 1988 Nissan Pulsar NX SE CA 18 DE - Common Issues ...
Aug 20, 2008 ... Was this answer helpful? up Yes. down No. Finish.
1988 Nissan Pulsar Reviews - Carsurvey.org
Faults: Crank angle sensor needed replacing. Power steering rack leaks. Dashboard has cracks. Small leak around passengers side weatherstripping.
Q&A: 1999 Nissan Pulsar N15 - Expert Answers on JustAnswer
Nov 14, 2011 ... Both are very common and can cause you vehicle to loose power along with many other drive ability issues. First look for cracks or rips or ...
1988 Pathfinder Acceleration Issues | Nissan Forum
Apr 16, 2020 ... Distributors are common failures on VG engines and that would fit your symptoms. Sometimes they are obvious, such as excessive play in the ...
N13 - any standard problems to look for?
Pulsar models are: GL base model 1.6. GXE (early ... the engine has been rebuilt. It has been pretty ... Easily replaced from Nissan for ~$130. Yes, again ...
Other years of Nissan Pulsar
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