Mechanic Help

CowboyMcCoy

Business is a Boomin
Messages
12,749
Reaction score
235
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

U.N.I.T.Y
Staff member
Messages
79,326
Reaction score
45,818
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
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

Kane Ala
Messages
54,219
Reaction score
19,659
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

Well-Known Member
Messages
47,629
Reaction score
117
http://img.***BLOCKED***/albums/v316/Yeagermeister/loaded-desert-eagle-web.jpg
 

jimmy40

Well-Known Member
Messages
16,866
Reaction score
1,888
WoodysGirl;4648471 said:
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.
 

dez_for_prez

Active Member
Messages
1,050
Reaction score
9
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.
 

Tabascocat

Dexternjack
Messages
28,236
Reaction score
39,823
CowboysZone DIEHARD Fan
Either the starter is out or there is not enough juice left in the battery.
 

67CowboysFan

New Member
Messages
2,345
Reaction score
1
CowboyMcCoy;4648415 said:
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

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,428
Reaction score
65
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.
 

jimmy40

Well-Known Member
Messages
16,866
Reaction score
1,888
Boys122;4648862 said:
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

Business is a Boomin
Messages
12,749
Reaction score
235
dez_for_prez;4648613 said:
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

Business is a Boomin
Messages
12,749
Reaction score
235
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

Well-Known Member
Messages
6,309
Reaction score
46
CowboyMcCoy;4648415 said:
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

Business is a Boomin
Messages
12,749
Reaction score
235
ethiostar;4653596 said:
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

Well-Known Member
Messages
6,309
Reaction score
46
CowboyMcCoy;4653618 said:
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.
 

CowboyMcCoy

Business is a Boomin
Messages
12,749
Reaction score
235
dexternjack;4653925 said:
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

Well-Known Member
Messages
6,309
Reaction score
46
CowboyMcCoy;4654158 said:
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.

[youtube]dGem9YsjCRQ[/youtube]
 
Top