BlackMagic

Hey Everyone,

First and foremost I would like to thank everyone for the help they provide everyone on this site. This site has helped me a lot in the past.

Here is the problem:

My car started having this starting problem on 2/14/08. I was leaving the store and I went to start the car (it's a manual transmission) and the car didn't do anything. I thought that I didn't have the clutch pushed in so I went and tried again and it started and I drove home. The next morning, Friday, I looked at the car and noticed a lot of corrosion on the battery terminals and cables. I drove to AutoZone and they removed it. Saturday I went to start the car and it was hesitating again so I decided Monday that I would have it taken to a local shop where they can diagnose the problem. I drove it to Good Year (as they have a service repair shop there) and they told me the reason why it is having trouble starting is because the belts are so old and cracked. I've known for 2 and a half years now that the belts needed to be replaced (you can see my previous post on Alternator belt) and I examined the belts and went ahead and paid to get them replaced.

At the time I didn't think that it made sense as to what they were telling me but I know they needed it so I went ahead with it. I live about 2 miles from the shop so I drove home and I pulled up to my house and shut off the engine. Before I got out of the car I decided to restart the car just for my own piece of mind. What do you know...it won't start at all. I immediately called the shop and after 2 hours of arguing with the manager, he agreed to have my car towed to his shop the following day. He said that it is either going to be the alternator or starter so I decided to go ahead and purchase a new starter (which made more sense to me as to what the problem would be) since I have a warranty on it, I can take my old one back and they would reimburse me for the faulty starter and the labor for the shop. They looked at the car for four hours, and he called and told me that it was not only the distributor but that it is also my catalytic converter, and that my car is not getting any spark. I had my car towed home the next day and I had my mom's boyfriend look at the Sentra and he said that the timing was advanced all the way to one side and that the car does have spark.

So to make a long story short (Sorry guys) when I start the car I turn the key and I can hear the fuel pump priming, the engine cranks but it never turns over. I do not smell any fuel. Also, when the car is cranking, the instrument cluster lights dim. Any ideas?

Thanks so much everyone for any advice you give. Sorry if I do not make it clear but feel free to ask me any questions.

This is an urgent matter, as I have lost my job due to transportation issues.

Melanie

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---Melanie---

Thanks for any help you give!