2001 Nissan Sentra 2.0 start up problems

Asked by Aendil Mar 07, 2015 at 07:50 PM about the 2001 Nissan Sentra SE

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have the following problem: A couple of weeks ago, car didn't want to start. Turned of the switch, turned on, no luck. Tried it a few times and it worked, started and engine was humming, no sputtering, no stalling. Turned it off and it started again without problems. No problems until next week, when I left it warm, and after 5 min it didn't want to start. Tried it couple of times, no luck. Left it and after 12 hours tried again. Didn't want to start. Sluggishly, I managed to start with a power and jump cables from another car. I think low power is not the problem, and I will tell you why: I hear knock when ignition is on, and then no spinning of the starter. Changed the battery with a new one, didn't work out. Same problem exists, starter is knocking and no spinning. Tried with power from another car. Doesn't want to start. On a couple of time it cranked with somewhat very low power and of course it didn't want to start. It seems like the capacitor is blown, if one exists on this car.
Can you point me what to change next and give it a try? Crankshaft position sensor, mass air flow sensor, oxygen sensor, or what.

3 Answers

Get your car running, take it to somewhere like Autozone. They can test your battery and alternator. You can also remove your starter and have them test in also. They can also test your battery. They do a battery load test with the car off. (or take the battery in) They do the alternator test if it is running. (or take it off and have them test it) They will also test the battery out of the car if you need to take it down to them. A clicking when turning the key to start is solenoid in the starter, or not enough juice from the battery. If your alternator is dying, it won't charge the battery up enough to start, os many assume the BATTERY is the problem. It can be any or all three things having issues. Test components one at a time or you may end up replacing the wring part!

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