Car cranks but won't start.

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,650 POSTS
Wow!

Let us know if you have questions in the future.
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Saturday, December 8th, 2018 AT 5:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KRISTEN70445
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  • 1 POST
  • 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
Before my car stopped starting alltogether, it would start after I pushed on the gas. Then one day it stopped starting even after pushing on the gas. The mechanic changed the sparkplugs and crankshaft sensors and it started again. After having it from the mechanic one day it started having problems starting again so I would push on the gas and then it would start. Then again it stopped starting again and I took it to the mechanic and he said I wasn't get voltage from the pcm computer and it needs to be replaced. I don't think I believe him but I am stuck b/c I can't get a second opinion b/c then he will not fix my car.
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Saturday, December 8th, 2018 AT 5:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
When you turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the fuel pump run in the tank for 5 seconds?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Saturday, December 8th, 2018 AT 5:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASKATERSDREAM
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Haha what?
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Saturday, December 8th, 2018 AT 5:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KYAPPRAISER
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  • 1 POST
  • 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 189,000 MILES
I replaced the alternator on my maxima last week and a few days later the car will turn but isn't getting any gas to start, any suggestions?
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Saturday, December 8th, 2018 AT 5:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel pump/fuel pressure regulator and fuel filter if okay check for injection pulses from the injectors
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Saturday, December 8th, 2018 AT 5:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEITHSUM76
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 162,000 MILES
I try to crank the car and all I hear is a whining sound but the engine does not turn at all I have a brand new battery and everything comes on I have turned on the lights and tried to crank and they stay bright. I have thought it was the starter but the starter has not given me any indication that it was about to go out. I have had this problem before and the car sat for two days them it just started when I tried it all of a sudden and ran good for about a week and now I am dealing with the same problem again can you please give me some type of hint as to what this could be and any steps I can take to find out before having to pay costly repairs.
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Saturday, December 8th, 2018 AT 5:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Do you mean it cranks over and will not start or just won't crank at all/nothing/nada?

Cranks and w/n start

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine at least 3/16 away from ground -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it

No crank at all/nothing/nada:

Could be the starter, starter relay, park and neutral switch and ignition switch assuming the battery and connections are good.
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Saturday, December 8th, 2018 AT 5:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RONNEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA
2000 Nissan Maxima 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

Turned key to start engine and nothing happened. Got it started by jumping it. Had code ran on vehicle and came back clean. Checked battery power. Lights and all dash lights burn bright. Was told everything checked out ok and if it happened again to bring it back and have it checked. Had no problems for 3 days and then it happened again. Still nothing on the code. Need to find out the possible causes of this type of failure. Once had a Ford Explorer that did the same thing adn running code check did not detect anything. Found out it was a relay.
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Saturday, December 8th, 2018 AT 5:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Probable causes could be the starter, starter relay, park and neutral switch/clutch switch and ignition switch assuming the battery and connections are good.
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Saturday, December 8th, 2018 AT 5:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JIMBOX
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Hi there, I got a start problem on my 2000maxima recently. When it's hot outside around lunch time, if I drive for 5 minutes and then turn it off, the car cannot start again until evening when it cools off. This car has a one-year old battery, which should still being working fine. Who could be the culprit?

I've been driving this car for over 2 years. Runs good. Regular oil change on time all the time. Recently replaced two front struts, 2 new front tires, and a new steering shaft, and 6 new spark plugs.

Thanks a lot!

Jimbo
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Saturday, December 8th, 2018 AT 5:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JIMBOX
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  • 2 POSTS
Forgot to mention that I can only hear the buzzing electric current sound when turning the key, nothing else moves or cranks.
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Saturday, December 8th, 2018 AT 5:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DEANWILL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 103,000 MILES
Bought car at auction, has key. Turns over but won't start. Smell gas, pump runs. No fire Car was recently in an accident. Hit in left headlight. No air bag deployment. All fuses fook good. Can see no wireing damage except to headlight wires.
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Saturday, December 8th, 2018 AT 5:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Turns over but won't start.

Disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, ECM, Ignitor cam and crank sensors- Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it
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Saturday, December 8th, 2018 AT 5:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MWALLACE1959
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 132,356 MILES
My car willl not start at times. I've put a new starter on the car because I thought that was the problem and also had the dealer hook it up to the machine in which they said the anti theft had been activated and the car had to be reporgrammed which it was, when I turn the key I have all lights and radio but not even a click, nothing happens.

I've had the car towed three times but the dealership says they cannot find anything wrong with the car.

I have had the anti theft reprogrammed because the dealership said the issue was the key (computer chip) issue, however the car is still not starting at times.
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Saturday, December 8th, 2018 AT 5:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CMDRDATATX
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From your description it sounded like an electrical/computer problem. Are you using the factory key set to start the engine? The key that comes with the car has a small computer chip embedded in the key (the blue piece). Without it, the car will not start. It may crank the engine, but the computer will not let it fire and run.

Also try your second spare key. Maybe the chip in the first key is on the fritz (going bad).
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Saturday, December 8th, 2018 AT 5:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MWALLACE1959
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
[quote="cmdrdatatx"]From your description it sounded like an electrical/computer problem. Are you using the factory key set to start the engine? The key that comes with the car has a small computer chip embedded in the key (the blue piece). Without it, the car will not start. It may crank the engine, but the computer will not let it fire and run.

Also try your second spare key. Maybe the chip in the first key is on the fritz (going bad).[/Quote

I have had the computer system reset and new keys programmed as this was thought to be the issue in the beginning however the problem continued so they replaced the starter, I am still having the same problem.
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Saturday, December 8th, 2018 AT 5:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CMDRDATATX
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OK, electrical problem can get tricky. My next step would be to disconnect the anti-theft sensors:
1. The hood sensor is located just to the right front as look into the engine.
2. The four door sensors (there are four of these).
3. I think there is another one in the trunk lid, but I don't recall where it is located.

These sensors are simple switches that provide ground signal to the theft computer. Disconnecting it would disable these sensor from activating the anti-theft.

If this solves your problem, then you need to isolate which one is causing it. If not, then perhaps you have a wiring to the computer that is chafed/frayed, thus inadvertently sending a signal to the computer to disable startup.

One other question: when this event occured, do you hear the horn beeps. The headlamp flashes etc. Sometimes before you attempt to start it?
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Saturday, December 8th, 2018 AT 5:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MWALLACE1959
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  • 4 POSTS
I have a full panel of lights, everything works inside the car, all of the electric windows, a/c, radio etc. I do not have a beep from the horn or a headlamp flash. This car left me stranded again tonight.
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Saturday, December 8th, 2018 AT 5:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CMDRDATATX
  • MEMBER
  • 54 POSTS
OK, I think I was misled by the initial fix solution provided by the dealer.

1. For example, you have the starter replaced but that did not solve the problem. So obviously its is NOT the starter.
2. The dealer says it is the alarm triggered which disabled the car from "firing". This resulted in my guessing that you have a faulty sensor. But since your car never honked/blinked anytime this is happening, I have my doubt that the dealer is correct in their diagnosis too.

Let' start over:

when you say the car won't start, what are the symptoms? Does the engine cranks but not firing, or just key turn to start and nothing happened/no crank?

Your answer may give me another clue to look. Next time this happens to you, please try this:

1. Jiggle the shifter handle from park to drive to park again a couple of time.
2. If it is stick shift, try depressing, release and depressing the clutch pedal, just to make sure the start safety mechanism is engaging.

Good luck.
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Saturday, December 8th, 2018 AT 5:12 PM (Merged)

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