Nissan Almera 01 - Breakdown - Battery Issue Maybe?

sally365

Hi,

Hope someone can give me some pointers what might be wrong with the car, before I spend an arm and a leg for something.

I've a Nissan Almera 01 , car has no history of anything major wrong with it, it's been a great car for years passed NCT easy. it's currently off the road due to an issue since last week, back from holidays today need to sort it out at a low cost hopefully.


Issue - When I turn the key the car starts for about 2 to 3 seconds then cuts out, the battery light turns red first, then 2 seconds later the engine light comes on - Before charging the battery it wasn't starting up, u'd just hear the starter noise.


Signs and symptoms:

The breakdown - I was heating my car one morning last week for about 2 minutes, then it just cut out and it's been facked every since.

2 weeks prior to breaking down I noticed it was struggling to start, I felt it was because I was only driving it once or twice every two weeks. So I was thinking ''Maybe the battery is low''

Note - The battery has needed to be charged fully in the past.

Last day before breakdown - I was driving out the drive way - and the car felt like it was running really low on fuel - not running right at all, I drove for abit and it was grand.


What I've tired?
* We tired charging the battery with a plugin charging device, it said after a few hours the car battery was full. - I have found after charging the battery the engine starts abit for a second or two. Because that there was nothing but starter key noises.


Any Suggestions what you believe could be wrong with the car.

My gut feeling is it's the battery and it need's replacing, is there any tests I could do to confirm or disprove this theory?


UPDATE 29/11/2013: Also I left the engine on for about 2 minutes, i noticed smoke coming from the exhaust a little a first then more and more till the cars engine stopped stop after 3 minutes. I tired to start the car again, it started for 3 seconds, then it died again.

Engine and Battery light showing on the display after cutting off each time.

Thanks guys!
Sally

ianobrien

My first reaction to the starting, running for 2/3 seconds, flashing immobiliser light and then dying is that the car's immobiliser can't "see" the key. Try the spare key and see. If the car runs using the other key you've got to get the "dead" key rematched to the car. I can't see any point in changing the car's battery as the battery has power to turn the engine.

As for the rough running & clearing prior to the hols I'm not sure if they are related. I've seen Nissans flooding on next start if the car is previously turned off a couple of seconds after starting. If it reoccurs get it looked at.

Eddie Smart

It could be helpful to do computer diagnostics first, it is not expensive, it could give you a clue where to look first. It might be camshaft or crankshaft sensors faulty, throttle body motor etc

sally365

Cheers, funny i've always noticed starting the car for a year that when I turn the key , it sounds like a high noise, imagine standing on a cats tail and it roaring abit. lol best way to describe it

sally365

Ok so I tired the car this morning, with the spare key, it started grand, i drove a bit around the drive a little I could hear this ticking noise coming from the engine.

Also I left the engine on for about 2 minutes, i noticed smoke coming from the exhaust a little a first then more and more till the cars engine stopped stop after 3 minutes. I tired to start the car again, it started for 3 seconds, then it died again.

Engine and Battery light showing on the display after cutting off each time.


Any ideas guys whats the issue? i'll have to get someone to look at it tomorrow

sally365

Thanks Ian for the reply I left a new comment below

ianobrien

sally365 wrote: »

Ok so I tired the car this morning, with the spare key, it started grand, i drove a bit around the drive a little I could hear this ticking noise coming from the engine.

Also I left the engine on for about 2 minutes, i noticed smoke coming from the exhaust a little a first then more and more till the cars engine stopped stop after 3 minutes. I tired to start the car again, it started for 3 seconds, then it died again.

Engine and Battery light showing on the display after cutting off each time.


Any ideas guys whats the issue? i'll have to get someone to look at it tomorrow

sally365 wrote: »

Thanks Ian for the reply I left a new comment below

The starting was the immobiliser "forgetting" the first key I'd say. The rest of the problem (smoke) I'd only be guessing and it's time to get the professionals I'd say.

It seems that there are two or three problems overlaid. I've had Nissans cut out three seconds after starting with immobiliser light flashing (looks like a key) and it was the car "forgot" the keys.

Also, if the engine dies, the ignition would still be on and the battery and engine light would come on. It does on my Almera when I stall it!

sally365

Friend of mine told me this: Timing belt/chain could have slipped ****ed up everything else including head gasket.

I'll get it looked at

flutered

did the timing give trouble in these, in the earlier one the thingemejig which which held the rotor arm and the high tension leads,(forgive me for the seniors minute or two) required replacing, as some on here said you need to get the electronics tested.

sally365

I need to confirm with my parents, I'll post later tonight.

Wheelnut

Re: the smoke, it's hardly over-filled with oil, is it? Might also explain the "ticking".

If the battery is weak it's a separate issue and not the cause of what you describe.

The engine has a timing chain, not a belt, no rotor arm and no high tension leads, so you can ignore recent advice.