Mechanic Help

[CowboyMcCoy]

Issue: 1995 Nissan won't start. The radio, lights, a/c, everything comes on, but the starter won't turn. In the past, I would tap the alternator with a hammer and it would work. The battery cables seem fine. And the lights have been flickering.

When I start it, all the electrical stuff turns on, but it simply won't start...


Thoughts?

[WoodysGirl]

Sounds like the starter to me..

If you can get the car to a Sears auto, they can run a system check on the battery, alternator, starter for you.

[jobberone]

If you have a voltmeter check the battery. If it's less than 12 then the battery does not have enough power to turn the motor over. Or ask someone to try to jumpstart you. If it works then the battery is not charged. Or if you have a charger then charge the battery for awhile and then try to start it. After that call a tow truck unless you can find a real mechanic.

[Yeagermeister]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/Yeagermeister/loaded-desert-eagle-web.jpg

[jimmy40]

Sounds like the starter to me..

If you can get the car to a Sears auto, they can run a system check on the battery, alternator, starter for you.as long as they aren't changing the oil or putting lug nuts on, they seem to struggle with that.

[Cowboys&LakersFan]

Call a mechanic,

[dez_for_prez]

I had the same problem in my Malibu. The radio and lights turned on but it wouldn't start. The fuse that controlled the fuel pump was loose so I spread the prongs so it would stay in. Never had a problem since.

[dexternjack]

Either the starter is out or there is not enough juice left in the battery.

[67CowboysFan]

Issue: 1995 Nissan won't start. The radio, lights, a/c, everything comes on, but the starter won't turn. In the past, I would tap the alternator with a hammer and it would work. The battery cables seem fine. And the lights have been flickering.

When I start it, all the electrical stuff turns on, but it simply won't start...


Thoughts?
Don't be lazy, take them off and clean them. Charge the battery and see what happens. If still no go have the battery tested at the parts store.

It might be the starter but I have seen more problems like this caused from dirty cables or a dead cell in the battery.

[Boys122]

It's probably the battery or the alternator. Unfortunately it's one of those cases where it's a process of elimination.

I'm willing to bet it's the alternator though. Have it jump started, and then pull the positive terminal while the car is running. if the car stalls, it's the alternator.

Also check the distributor and below the distributor cap.

[big dog cowboy]

In the past, I would tap the alternator with a hammer and it would work.

If that didn't work, your screwed.

[jimmy40]

It's probably the battery or the alternator. Unfortunately it's one of those cases where it's a process of elimination.

I'm willing to bet it's the alternator though. Have it jump started, and then pull the positive terminal while the car is running. if the car stalls, it's the alternator.

Also check the distributor and below the distributor cap.dead battery made my Hemi stall the other day, alternator was fine.

[CowboyMcCoy]

I had the same problem in my Malibu. The radio and lights turned on but it wouldn't start. The fuse that controlled the fuel pump was loose so I spread the prongs so it would stay in. Never had a problem since.

I'll try this.

[CowboyMcCoy]

I think it's the starter. Good thing I still have that black altima I posted about a while back. It hasn't sold. But then again, I haven't put much effort into selling it.

So, I tried jumping it and it was as if nothing different were happening. So I believe it's the starer, since I don't think anything would turn on if it were the alternator.... or am I wrong?

[ethiostar]

Issue: 1995 Nissan won't start. The radio, lights, a/c, everything comes on, but the starter won't turn. In the past, I would tap the alternator with a hammer and it would work. The battery cables seem fine. And the lights have been flickering.

When I start it, all the electrical stuff turns on, but it simply won't start...


Thoughts?

I had the same problem once with my 1995 Nissan 200sx. It turned out to be the starter. If you had to tap the alternator to get it to work in the past, chances are that is the culprit, you can only do that for so long.

[CowboyMcCoy]

I had the same problem once with my 1995 Nissan 200sx. It turned out to be the starter. If you had to tap the alternator to get it to work in the past, chances are that is the culprit, you can only do that for so long.

You mean tapping the alternator actually does work. I talked to my dad and he said that doesn't work... but it works on your starter. I know I tapped the alternator and it came on several times, but not now.

[ethiostar]

You mean tapping the alternator actually does work. I talked to my dad and he said that doesn't work... but it works on your starter. I know I tapped the alternator and it came on several times, but not now.

Sorry, I meant to say the starter, not the alternator. Tapping on the starter is often a very temporary fix. It buys you a little bit of time until you take it shop.

If you turn the ignition on and you hear a clicking sound, chances are its the starter. More so now that you said that you tried to jump start it and its not working.

[dexternjack]

So, what was the verdict on your problem?

[CowboyMcCoy]

So, what was the verdict on your problem?

I'm not sure, maybe a loose wire from the alternator? Could it be the solenoid? I think most likely the issue is the starter, but I haven't ruled these nor the battery out.

[ethiostar]

I'm not sure, maybe a loose wire from the alternator? Could it be the solenoid? I think most likely the issue is the starter, but I haven't ruled these nor the battery out.

If you don't hear a clicking sound when you turn the key it maybe the solenoid or the trigger wire.

Depending on your car, even if the issue is with the solenoid you may need to change the starter as well if the solenoid is not a stand-alone unit. On my 200sx, the solenoid and the starter were a single unit.

Here is a very useful video to trouble shoot the issue you're having.

dGem9YsjCRQ

[DallasCowpoke]

I had the same problem once with my 1995 Nissan 200sx. It turned out to be the starter. If you had to tap the alternator to get it to work in the past, chances are that is the culprit, you can only do that for so long.

You mean tapping the alternator actually does work. I talked to my dad and he said that doesn't work... but it works on your starter. I know I tapped the alternator and it came on several times, but not now.
:laugh2:

<Insert "I'd tap that" joke here>

[Boys122]

I'm not sure, maybe a loose wire from the alternator? Could it be the solenoid? I think most likely the issue is the starter, but I haven't ruled these nor the battery out.

Like I've said in this thread it could be a process of elimination, but last year this happened to my wife's Lincoln, and I had to replace the starter.

The Solenoid is directly into the starter so I changed the entire thing. It did exactly what your car is doing, everything came on but the car didn't start.

Also if you do change the starter make sure the ground in tight and the teeth are lined up properly or you'll get an annoying screetching sound when it starts all the time. There's also a spacer that belongs in there, make sure that's put back in too.

[Vtwin]

I would start by having the battery tested or trying a known good battery. Most auto parts will load test your battery for free.

If you determine it is not the battery try following the positive cable from the battery which might (I don't have much exerience with foreign vehicles) lead to a relay (big switch). If so try jumping the posts on this relay to determine if that is the problem. If the relay is bad jumping the posts will bypass it and send power to the starter. Sometimes the relay is built into the starter.

You could also use jumper cables directly to the posts on the starter from a known good battery to test the starter.

Even if the alternator is bad the car should start if the battery has enough charge and the starter is good. Or with a jump start. A bad alternator won't keep the battery charged but it won't prevent the car from starting with a fresh battery. It also won't effect power to lights, accessories, etc.

If you get the car running you can test the alternator by measuring the voltage at the battery posts with the car running.

[Vtwin]

If you don't hear a clicking sound when you turn the key it maybe the solenoid or the trigger wire.

Depending on your car, even if the issue is with the solenoid you may need to change the starter as well if the solenoid is not a stand-alone unit. On my 200sx, the solenoid and the starter were a single unit.

Here is a very useful video to trouble shoot the issue you're having.

dGem9YsjCRQ


We were posting at the same time. Good vid.