Nissan Almera starting problem

boogeyman

Hey guys, need you thoughts on something....

I bought a 01 Almera 1.5 petrol 2 months ago from a garage.

I noticed after a few weeks that it wouldn't fire up first time when turning the key. I'd then take the key out, put it back in and she'd start straight away without any problems. This might happen once every 15-20 times when starting.

But yesterday even she wouldn't start at all. She was trying to turn over but not enough to start the engine. She has a good battery so I don't think its that. Tried her there this morning and she started fine but I want to get to bottom of it before the warranty runs out in a month.

Do you think it is the starter motor on the way out?

I live an hour from the garage where I bought her so I think I'll drop into a local place tomorrow for some advice aswel.

Any thoughts would be appreciated;)

Mech1

Any warning lights staying on? Especially the "immobiliser light"?

Report the fault to the garage asap. Then you have made them aware during warranty period.

boogeyman

No, airbag lights etc. go on when starting and then turn off afterwards.

Mech1

If removing and reinserting the key definitely helps then its the immobilizer not reading the key correctly.

But you say that it "was trying to turn over" that points much more to battery.

Try to explain in more detail exact symptoms, I know its hard but it helps us so much.

EPM

There was a recall on these for the crank positioning sensor. Might be worth checking if it was done. Had it on a 2001 at home years ago. Had a serious immobiliser problem on the 03 that replaced it though but that was the facelift model.

boogeyman

Cheers for the replies guys.

Ok, so I turn the key and it will turn straight through all the way. Dash lights come on but the car would not be trying to turn over. Now this is what was happening intermittently. I was thinking it was something to do with the immobiliser and key alright....but the fact that it would fire up straight away the second time lead me to not being too concerned about it. Again this would only happen once in every 15-20 times of starting the car.

But last night was different....it was trying to turn over but just couldn't get there, and hence wouldn't start. Like Mech1 this does indeed sound more battery related.

I suppose it's just the combination of the 2 of them has be worried that it might be a little more sinister.

whizbang

I have the same problem with a Hyundai accent.
Its defo the immobiliser system, not sure exactly where yet. but after a number of bad starts the battery is under pressure.
The power to key reader stays on for about 10 secs after removing the key, so sometimes we forget to wait before retrying.
Check all the other keys first. dont shell out yet, it may possible to get immobiliser disabled

boogeyman

Cheers whizbang

Ya, I found similar sentiments when googling around there... F*ck it anyway, I'll take it all on board and call into the local garage in the morning and see what they think.

All these fancy things that cars have nowadays are great, until they start messing us around:pac:

boogeyman

Update - Called to the our local mechanics this morning and he was leaning towards it being a battery problem. When he popped the bonnet he was able to tell me that it was the wrong size battery for the car.

The battery it had was 360 Amp 41 AH.

Luckily enough I had another battery at home (only 6 months old) 380 Amp 45 AH so I threw that into her today.

Have her booked into the garage for Wed for them to give her a proper once-over. Hopefully all will be well.

axl roche 1980

mine is 04 and doin exactly what ur saying very tempermental ive put two second hand starters in then gave up and payed 160 for new one and 40 to fit it said ok thats it done now its back 2 mnths later turn key nothing second turn crank but no start then after 20 mins fires up get 3/4 days good then same ole crap again .......... u ever find out what it was ? i was told crank shaft sensor /fuel pump/no spark .... guesses from mates i dont wanna spend a fortune on somting simple i was then told get a diagnostic plugg in 50 euro b4 a spanner comes out dont wanna go that ruite if i dont need to