Hello, currently I own both a 96 Altima and Sentra both GXE models. Most of my posting in this forum are in the Altima section, if you care to read, because my Sentra has been sitting on the sidelines for 10 months and now I want to bring it back to life. Well here is my question.
Occasionally, went I first start the sentra, the engine would not turn over. It would rotate but thats about it. I believe it is the starter, but I am not too sure. If I let the car sit for a day or two then it will start up okay. The car has been completely tuned up since last October and the battery is okay. Any suggestions?
Hello, currently I own both a 96 Altima and Sentra both GXE models. Most of my posting in this forum are in the Altima section, if you care to read, because my Sentra has been sitting on the sidelines for 10 months and now I want to bring it back to life. Well here is my question.
Occasionally, went I first start the sentra, the engine would not turn over. It would rotate but thats about it. I believe it is the starter, but I am not too sure. If I let the car sit for a day or two then it will start up okay. The car has been completely tuned up since last October and the battery is okay. Any suggestions?
If you can hear the engine crank over then your problem is not your starter.
May be fuel, spark, or something else.
I noticed that when the car does not turn over but just rotates that there is slight smell of gas and in addition, if I keep trying to start it the starter motor sounds like it is winnding down.
Last edited by LONDONDERRY : Sep 30th, 2005 at 06:26 AM.
I noticed that when the car does not turn over but just rotates that there is slight smell of gas and in addition, if I keep trying to start it the starter motor sounds like it is winnding down.
If the starter sounds like its winding down then either the battery is weak or something is getting hot and causing a bad connection. If you are really sure the battery is good is charged or passes testing, then check the battery connections are clean by removing them and see if this does it.
You can also put a voltmeter across the battery posts (not the clamps,) and check the voltage at the battery before the connections and cables, solenoid etc and this will tell you if the battery is in poor shape OR just discharged.
Look for about 13 V before you get someone to turn the key and above 9 or 10V while cranking, and watch for voltage dropping off with time.
Look I just went though the SAME THING!!! I bought a new starter, Problem solved! Mine wouldn't even make a noise when I turned the keys, all the accessories would come on but thats it. I pout a new starter in it and boom problem solved! Good Luck!
If your starter turn your engine over then it's probably not your starter. It could be your battery or starter is on the way out. Check all your wiring connection to make sure it's clean. A faulty ground wire connection will cause you to do that too. Have you change out your fuel filter? Timing belt? Could be off a tooth. If the car doesn't start then it's fuel, air, or spark.
Pull out all spark plugs and squirt some motor oil in each cylinder. With ignition off and trans in neutral... crank the engine by hand using a wrench/ratchet. Also try to determine if you get spark... clean the distributor cap and rotor if necessary. Check the condition of your oil.
Pull out all spark plugs and squirt some motor oil in each cylinder. With ignition off and trans in neutral... crank the engine by hand using a wrench/ratchet.
Good Call
Last edited by p_reed : Oct 9th, 2005 at 06:03 PM.
Here's an update. Turns out the battery was to weak to crack over the engine, I replaced and it started up. However, in order for the engine to crank over I had to floor the gas pedal while turing the ignition. This took a few tries Once it started, after 10 months of no use, it ran fine. At this point I don't believe that the starter motor is cause the intermittent starting problem. I think its in the fuel delivery system. Any advice on where to start.
Finally, I was stupid and left the parking brake on for the last ten months. Now I can't get the rear drums brakes to disengage. I took the center console out inspected the parking brake wire. How do you release a frozen parking brake line, because, I can't take the drums off if the brakes engaged to it.
Here's an update. Turns out the battery was to weak to crack over the engine, I replaced and it started up. However, in order for the engine to crank over I had to floor the gas pedal while turing the ignition. This took a few tries Once it started, after 10 months of no use, it ran fine. At this point I don't believe that the starter motor is cause the intermittent starting problem. I think its in the fuel delivery system. Any advice on where to start.
Finally, I was stupid and left the parking brake on for the last ten months. Now I can't get the rear drums brakes to disengage. I took the center console out inspected the parking brake wire. How do you release a frozen parking brake line, because, I can't take the drums off if the brakes engaged to it.
Thanks
Frank
If the engine floods due to repeated attempt's to start or you start and move 20 ft and turn off the procedure to start is to hold the pedal to the floor and crank the engine over with the starter. This tells the ECU to not add gas so you can clear the flooding and start.
Now the cars runs. Once you have driven it and got the engine nice and hot it should start ok.
If the rear shoes are seized I suggest you take off the wheels and push on the hand brake lever at the back of the drum. Then back off the adjuster through the hole covered by the rubber plug.
You should be able to remove the drums then. Give them a tap ( but don't hit the cast iron too hard as it will break)
You can also use a puller or bolts in the threaded holes that is normally provided.
Also put the wheels back and try moving the car ??
If the engine floods due to repeated attempt's to start or you start and move 20 ft and turn off the procedure to start is to hold the pedal to the floor and crank the engine over with the starter. This tells the ECU to not add gas so you can clear the flooding and start.
Now the cars runs. Once you have driven it and got the engine nice and hot it should start ok.
If the rear shoes are seized I suggest you take off the wheels and push on the hand brake lever at the back of the drum. Then back off the adjuster through the hole covered by the rubber plug.
You should be able to remove the drums then. Give them a tap ( but don't hit the cast iron too hard as it will break)
You can also use a puller or bolts in the threaded holes that is normally provided.
Also put the wheels back and try moving the car ??
Good Luck......
Okay another update. I pulled the spark plugs out and one of them is coated with oil near the electrode. So now I'm thinking that the reason I have this intermitted starting issue is because of the oil. I read through the haynes manual and there are two sections of interest if I want to fix the problem. One is to remove the valve cover and replace the spark plug and valve cover gasket and the other section is to replace the valve seals, which is much more involved. Any opinions on this subjest?
Okay another update. I pulled the spark plugs out and one of them is coated with oil near the electrode. So now I'm thinking that the reason I have this intermitted starting issue is because of the oil. I read through the haynes manual and there are two sections of interest if I want to fix the problem. One is to remove the valve cover and replace the spark plug and valve cover gasket and the other section is to replace the valve seals, which is much more involved. Any opinions on this subjest?
Thanks
Frank
The problem is internal... change the oil and oil filter
Okay another update. I pulled the spark plugs out and one of them is coated with oil near the electrode. So now I'm thinking that the reason I have this intermitted starting issue is because of the oil. I read through the haynes manual and there are two sections of interest if I want to fix the problem. One is to remove the valve cover and replace the spark plug and valve cover gasket and the other section is to replace the valve seals, which is much more involved. Any opinions on this subjest?
Thanks
Frank
So have you driven the car and got it hot to burn off all the excess gas and oil from your starting problems ?
Do that first then pull the plugs and see if you still have a problem.
How many miles on this engine ?
Linear Mode
