I have a Nissan Sentra 2002 that has about 31,000 miles on it. In the
last few months the car once in a while will not start. The engine
doesn't crank, no dimming of the cabin lights, no click, etc. This
has happend about 5 times in the last few months. After several
minutes it will start just fine. The problem has occured when it is
damp and has occured both after the car has been sitting overnight, and
also when I've been driving and then turned it off for 5 minutes or so
before trying to start it.
Any ideas?
johnin - 15 May 2006 20:12 GMT
I have a Nissan Sentra 2002 that has about 31,000 miles on it. In th
last few months the car once in a while will not start. The engin
doesn't crank, no dimming of the cabin lights, no click, etc. Thi
has happend about 5 times in the last few months. After severa
minutes it will start just fine. The problem has occured when it i
damp and has occured both after the car has been sitting overnight, an
also when I've been driving and then turned it off for 5 minutes or s
before trying to start it
Any ideas
hello next time it does that wiggle the ignition switch if it fires right up you may of found your problem witch is a bad ignition switch. also its a good idea to clean your battery cables & terminals place them back along with a thin coating of grease. ;
--
johnin
Terry George - 17 May 2006 17:57 GMT
This is known problem for this vehicle. You didn't state which
engine you have, 2.5 or 1.8. It could be a cold soak problem or a
faulty fuel pump. The dealer has a rebuilt kit for the fuel pump.
There is a TSB out there for your symptoms.
|I have a Nissan Sentra 2002 that has about 31,000 miles on it. In the
| last few months the car once in a while will not start. The engine
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
| before trying to start it.
| Any ideas?
wdoa.com@gmail.com - 18 May 2006 12:09 GMT
The engine is the 1.8. Of course this started happening OOW. The car
is 4+ years old but only has 31K MIle
Terry George - 18 May 2006 15:09 GMT
Classification: Reference: Date:
PI95-005a NTB95-120a January 10, 2003
COLD WEATHER STARTING TIPS
This bulletin supersedes PI95-005. The Service Information has
been amended.
Please discard all paper copies of PI95-005
APPLIED VEHICLE(S): All models
SERVICE INFORMATION
In case a vehicle is hard to start during cold weather, we
suggest the following procedure.
. These steps are a review of the procedure outlined in the
Owner's
Manual.
. Use these steps when the weather is cold and the engine is hard
to start.
1. Press the accelerator pedal down approximately 1/3 of the way
to the floor.
2. Hold the accelerator pedal in this position while cranking the
engine.
3. Once the engine has started release the accelerator pedal.
NOTE: Do not race the engine while warming it up.
4. If the engine does not start within 15 seconds, stop cranking,
wait at least 10 seconds.
Then repeat steps 1 through 3.
Once an engine is started in cold weather condition:
. You should keep the engine running for a minimum of 2-3 minutes
before shutting it
off.
. Starting and stopping of the engine over a short period of time
may make the vehicle
more difficult to restart.
. It may also adversely affect a vehicle's fuel economy.
Another factor which may affect a vehicles "startability" is the
viscosity or thickness of the
oil that is used.
. SAE 5W-30 viscosity engine oil is preferred for all
temperatures, all year-round for
most models.
. SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil makes it easier to start the engine and
maintain a stable
idle during warm-up.
Please communicate these cold weather starting tips to your
customers.
----------------------------------------------
Are there any MIL or CEL codes stored?

Signature
Terry George
| The engine is the 1.8. Of course this started happening OOW. The car
| is 4+ years old but only has 31K MIle
wdoa.com@gmail.com - 18 May 2006 15:46 GMT
excuse my ignorance but how would I access the MIL or CEL codes?
Terry George - 19 May 2006 04:08 GMT
If you have a local autoparts store, such as autozone or o'reilys they may
be able to scan your vehicle for you. You can also purchase a generic OBDII
scanner for yourself, prices vary. The codes normally give a reference point
to start your diagnosisof the problem. OBDII codes are from sensors or
parameters that are not within a certain parameter. It may be an indication
of part failure. Also could mean that there are other problems causing the
sensor to read or function outside of it's working parameters.
When you are trying to start your vehicle do you have interior electrical
power? For example , does the dash lights come on will your radio work in
the acccesorie position, do you have a drain on your electrical system when
trying to start?
> excuse my ignorance but how would I access the MIL or CEL codes?
wdoa.com@gmail.com - 19 May 2006 15:19 GMT
Yes, when this happens I have full electrical power otherwise in the
car. Dash lights are on, cabin light is on, headlights work fine.
When I turn the key the lights don't dim or anything indicating that
any sort of load is on the electrical system. The only thing that
happens when I turn the key is all the standard dash lights come on. 2
minutes later the car will start right up with no hesitation.
Terry George - 19 May 2006 17:31 GMT
I still suspect you have a faulty fuel pump. I believe the fuel
is bleeding back through the fuel pump back into the fuel tank.
There are several things that could be wrong though. A faulty
starter, or ignition could cause this. These are not that common
for this vehicle though. Without seeing or testing the vehicle I
can only give a best guess. Hope this helps.

Signature
Terry George
| Yes, when this happens I have full electrical power otherwise in the
| car. Dash lights are on, cabin light is on, headlights work fine.
| When I turn the key the lights don't dim or anything indicating that
| any sort of load is on the electrical system. The only thing that
| happens when I turn the key is all the standard dash lights come on. 2
| minutes later the car will start right up with no hesitation.
kegler@bowling.net - 19 May 2006 18:40 GMT
>I still suspect you have a faulty fuel pump. I believe the fuel
>is bleeding back through the fuel pump back into the fuel tank.
>There are several things that could be wrong though. A faulty
>starter, or ignition could cause this. These are not that common
>for this vehicle though. Without seeing or testing the vehicle I
>can only give a best guess. Hope this helps.
Terry,
I don't think a faulty fuel pump would prevent the starter from
engaging. This is clearly an electrical problem causing a short to the
starter. (IMHO of course).
Did the OP mention if this occurs when the engine is hot or just cold
or random? If it's only when it's hot, there's a good probability
that there's an open contact that expands when it gets hot and once
the engine cools off, the contacts touch and the engine starts.
AS - 20 May 2006 14:03 GMT
A fuel pump has nothing to do with the car cranking or not. Your
problem sounds like a faulty ignition switch, or a defective solenoid or
a connection to it, in the starter motor.
If the car cranked but did not start, then you could suspect the fuel
pump, but the car seems too new to have this kind of problems
> Yes, when this happens I have full electrical power otherwise in the
> car. Dash lights are on, cabin light is on, headlights work fine.
> When I turn the key the lights don't dim or anything indicating that
> any sort of load is on the electrical system. The only thing that
> happens when I turn the key is all the standard dash lights come on. 2
> minutes later the car will start right up with no hesitation.
johnin - 18 May 2006 14:31 GMT
This is known problem for this vehicle. You didn't state whic
engine you have, 2.5 or 1.8. It could be a cold soak problem or
faulty fuel pump. The dealer has a rebuilt kit for the fuel pump
There is a TSB out there for your symptoms
|I have a Nissan Sentra 2002 that has about 31,000 miles on it
In th
| last few months the car once in a while will not start. Th
engin
| doesn't crank, no dimming of the cabin lights, no click, etc
Thi
| has happend about 5 times in the last few months. Afte
severa
| minutes it will start just fine. The problem has occured whe
it i
| damp and has occured both after the car has been sittin
overnight, an
| also when I've been driving and then turned it off for
minutes or s
| before trying to start it
| Any ideas
thats great to know there is a Tsb out Terry" but hes saying he cant crank it and no lights on when he turns the key that would "not" indicate a faulty fuel pump but instead the possibilitys of a correded or loose battery terminals , starter solenoid , or an "ignition switch" again when this occures" turn the key to start it at the same time the key is turned wiggle the key in the ignition switch if starts right up afterword you found your problem wich is a bad ignition switch also check your battery terminals are they clean and tight? also you should post the engine size of your vehicle as Terry has mentioned there is a Tsb out for it that may be worth looking into? ;
--
johnin
Telstar Electronics - 24 May 2006 13:08 GMT
Possible neutral start switch in the case of an automatic
transmission... or the safety start switch on the clutch pedal if
manual transmission.
www.telstar-electronics.com