Help diagnosing the problem...

az2wp0sye65487

This is a strange one...

My car wont start... sometimes.

Most of the time it starts straight away. Then every now and then, when I turn the key in the ignition, nothing happens at all. Absolutely nothing.

I got a new battery recently after it was happening a lot. Since I got the battery it's only happened a couple of times. But it's still happening. But if I wait a minute and try again the car usually starts.

Could it be a loose connection somewhere??

Thanks.

shamwari

First off, Make / Model would be helpful!

peasant

If it's older / has a lot of starts a faulty/worn ignition barrel could be at fault

corktina

make sure the earth is connected firmly. Even the slightest looseness or corrosion can produce these symptoms.

itarumaa

New battery, car does not start all the time >>

please check the minus (ground) connection of the battery, you might have a cable loose or bad connection.

feelites

had same issues with my bmw before
problem was loosen HV cables so make sure they are clean and tight

Moanin

Could be crankshaft sensor?

mickdw

Check earth strap on starter

sirrah

What's the year make & model of the car Could be a key code issue!!

tiocimarla

alternator maybe not recharging the battery

kazul

tiocimarla wrote: »

alternator maybe not recharging the battery

But magically charging again a few seconds later?
Check connections to battery is first obvious port of call.

Waterford26

tiocimarla wrote: »

alternator maybe not recharging the battery

..no nooooo ..its impossible to drive again when alternator is gone!!!

az2wp0sye65487

Sorry, it's a 2003 Nissan Almera.

I'll be honest and say I know very little about cars.... so when you mention things like: 'earth strap on starter' and 'crankshaft sensor' I'm just going

So I'd love to have an idea of what this problem might be before bringing the car to a garage as I don't wanna be taken advantage of!

Thanks.

ronaneire

Skylar Kind Bay wrote: »

Sorry, it's a 2003 Nissan Almera.

I'll be honest and say I know very little about cars.... so when you mention things like: 'earth strap on starter' and 'crankshaft sensor' I'm just going

So I'd love to have an idea of what this problem might be before bringing the car to a garage as I don't wanna be taken advantage of!

Thanks.

Take it to a mechanic, you could be going around in circles. Could be a number of things.

10-10-20

Well, if you sit here waiting for responses, you'll be polishing earth straps (which one of many...?) or reseating negative polarity connections on the battery all weekend without a final resolution.

These issues are commonly, as you guessed, due to a bad connection. That can be anywhere from the engine components back to the battery. You can't reliably identify and eliminate the issue long-term without first identifying and then treating the actual cause - be that rust on the chassis, a loose connection or simply wear-and-tear on the components. An arduous task for any enthusiast.

My advice is the same as RonanEire's - bring it to a garage and give them a good description of the problem. It will save having to read through pages of guesses - which ain't a lot of good when you're obviously not a 'motorhead', per-se.

shamwari

OP, you don't happen to have a toll tag around your windscreen by any chance?

I had one cause interference with an immobilser in an Almera, but the problem was cured by moving it a few inches from where its owner had placed it....;)

kerten

check if assembly that you put key in is moving or not. This may affect key - immobilizier component communication intermittently. if there is a slight move, tighten it first and try.

feelites

kerten wrote: »

check if assembly that you put key in is moving or not. This may affect key - immobilizier component communication intermittently. if there is a slight move, tighten it first and try.

immobilizer, even when disconnected wont affect turning.

kerten

feelites wrote: »

immobilizer, even when disconnected wont affect turning.

I see your point but doesn't it depend on immobilizer design. I think some prevents engine turning too. I don't know almera immobilizer design so you may be right.

I saw same problem with moving assembly issue from another forum with a 2005 almera. dealer suggested to change NATS component worth 500 euro and an indy tightened moving assembly and problem is gone.

I hope it helps !