I have a 2009 Nissan Sentra. It has not been starting whe...
Responses
Jay
265 days ago
Hello, My name is\*\*\*\*\* been working on cars since 1990, I have been a Just Answer expert since 2008. Thank you for contacting us for assistance with your vehicle. I will be happy to assist you. You will see an option to receive a phone call prompted by the website, you can agree to or decline. If you do not wish to use the Phone Service, we can continue chatting this way back and forth until you are satisfied with my help. Just keep in mind, it does take me time to respond. I am a Automotive Technician, I am not a fast typer.So lets get started.... Can I ask to whom I have the pleasure of speaking with today?
Customer
265 days ago
Bran\*\*\*\*\* \*\*\*\*\*
Jay
265 days ago
Hello Brandon, Nice to meet youI am sorry to hear about your issue with your Sentra. I will do my best to help you with this
Customer
265 days ago
Thanks. It’s been a journey with it to say the least.
Jay
265 days ago
When the car does not start, does the engine turn over and not catch?
Customer
265 days ago
There is no action from it whatsoever. No signs of life besides the fact that you can turn on the interior dome light.It doesn't give the clicking with the starter or try to crank in any way.
Jay
265 days ago
this sounds like maybe a battery connection issue. How often does it do this?Does it do this every morning? When cold?
Customer
265 days ago
Jay - I Didn’t see the option to do a phone call. I think this would be easier to explain over the phone.
Jay
265 days ago
We can do that if you like
Customer
265 days ago
Sorry I did t realize it was an up charge...I’m just going to type out a recap of the situation including what I have done / checked.
Jay
265 days ago
No worries. Let's try this the next time this happens...
Jay
265 days ago
When you go to start the car and it acts up. Turn the head lights on and open the hood. If the head lights do not come on, while you have the hood open, loose and twist the negative battery cable. If the head lights flicker or come on at any point, re-tighten the battery terminal back up in a different position. If no change with the negative, then try the position
Customer
265 days ago
2009 Nissan Sentra. It won’t start on cold mornings but will start up after the day warms the car. This has happened more than 5 times now - I checked to rule out that it’s a coincidence. I had the battery checked - I was told it was good. I still had the problem, so I replaced the battery. It still happens with a fresh battery. The current battery will read 12.1-12.4 volts at rest, drops to 10.1v during starting, 14.2 or so during operation. I have cleaned the battery terminals of all corrosion. I had the alternator checked and was told it is good. When it won’t start, the interior dome light will come on. But the key fob will not unlock my doors at the times when it won’t start.I will try your suggestion with the headlights the next time I’m able to check.
Jay
265 days ago
This is why I am having you double check the battery connection when this happens
Customer
265 days ago
If repositioning the terminal doesn’t work, what would you suspect? It feels like it’s not a terminal position since I’ve pulled that at least 4-5 times during trouble shooting / testing.
Jay
265 days ago
If there is a power issue when this happens, try my headlight and battery terminal trick first
Customer
265 days ago
Ok - I definitely will. Any thoughts on what to suspect if that doesn’t correct the issue?
Jay
265 days ago
If you are finding it is a electrical power issue, and this terminal trick does not work, I have seen bad Ecm's cause weird issues as well
Customer
265 days ago
Fair enough. That was my suspicion based on the trouble shooting I’ve been doing. I will try the battery trick though.But I think it might be over my skill / know how. Planning to take it to a shop unless your truck fixes it for me. Thanks for the help!
Jay
265 days ago
You are very welcome
Still not sure what you need?
Have a certified mobile mechanic diagnose what's wrong with your car, at your home or office.
Top Questions
Trending Topics
What others are asking
How do you operate the auto-up and auto-down feature ’s power windows?
Depending on how your car is equipped, you may have an auto up/down feature on the driver window, or both the driver and front passenger windows. To use these, here’s what you do: Turn the key to ON. Push the...
Noise coming from air conditioner
Hi. From my experience with this car, this is typically caused by a failing AC compressor. The compressor on this vehicle is a common failure and it typically starts to make a loud squeaking or rattling noise. If the noise...
Transmission slips out of fifth gear, makes grinding sounds
This is possibly a transmission shifter adjustment issue (5th gear, non-engagement). The noise issue may be related, but it is potentially serious regardless. You don't mention what kind of "transmission problems" caused you to have the clutch repaired, but that...
No heat after replacing dead alternator
The alternator, low battery, and fuel light will have no effect on your heat. Your lack of heat is a separate issue aside from a car that won't run and cannot produce any heat. Someone has suggested you check the...
Engine noise and has no power. It spits and sputters.
Hi there. Sounds like the fuel pump is not working in your vehicle. Check the fuel pump relay (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-relay-replacement) and see if it is clicking on when the key is turned on. If the relay is working, then turn the...
When replacing my ball joints on my 2005 dodge Strauss do I need to replace the control arms as well
Hi there. When changing out the ball joints, you don't need to change the control arms if you have a replacement ball joint. However, if you are wanting to replace the bushings and the ball joint, then you may get...
my daughter has a 2004 Toyota Highlander. the car wont start so i think it's the fuel pump since i can't hear it run. so once i ge
Check the fuse. There could be more than one relay in the circuit, for example a circuit opening relay as well as an EFI relay. The fault could be due to high resistance in the circuit (even at the relay...
Negative battery terminal sparks/smokes no power to car
Hi there. Check the condition of the starter wires when they were installed. See if the small remote wire on the starter solenoid is touching the main battery cable wire on the starter solenoid. If these two wires were to...
Browse other content
Services
Estimates
I have a 2009 Nissan Sentra. It has not been starting when in the morning when it is cold. But it will start after the sun warm it up a bit. I’m in central North Carolina where we have mild winters. I had the alternator tested and...
I have a 2009 Nissan Sentra. It has not been starting when in the morning when it is cold. But it will start after the sun warm it up a bit. I’m in central North Carolina where we have mild winters. I had the alternator tested and battery tested. The battery is brand new - holds 12.1-12.4 volts at rest, 10.0 volts when being started and reads around 14.1 volts during operation. What could be causing this? Mechanic's Assistant: Have you checked the battery, particularly the terminal connections? Are they corroded? Yes. I cleaned them to the point that they look like fresh copper. Mild amounts of corrosion were present... I forgot to mention that the interior lights will work in the morning. But my key fob will not unlock the vehicle in the morning either. Mechanic's Assistant: Are you fixing your Sentra yourself? What have you tried so far? Battery has been replaced. Alternator was tested - I was told it’s good. Cleaned the battery terminals. Tested the voltage of the battery while in the vehicle with a multimeter. Mechanic's Assistant: Anything else you want the Mechanic to know before I connect you? That’s it