Intermittent not starting

PRETTYNPINK

MEMBER
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA
2.5L
4 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
160,000 MILES

My car takes 5 to 20 minutes to get it to start. I will drive it to the store come back out maybe 30 minutes later and it wont start. I got the car jumped started right up. Drove the car home parked it went to start it again a hour later it took me about 15 minutes this time to start it. That is without jumping it. I wanted to see if it would start if I kept trying to start it and it does but it takes a while. I only jumped it that one time to get it home.I have a new battery. My dashboard lights are working along with my brake lights and headlights. What else could it be? Someone mentioned brake switch but someone else said if it was the brake switch it would not have started with a jump. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

1 Reply

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello, I'm Danny.

It sounds like you might have a weak or failing fuel pump that is not supplying adequate fuel pressure. first thing to do is perform a fuel pressure test. Most auto parts stores have a tool loaner program and can rent you one if you don't have. Here is a tutorial showing what is involved for performing this test:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

The correct fuel pressure specification for your Altima is 55 psi with the engine idling. Get back to us with what you find and we'll go from there. You will need to remove the fuel tank to gain access to the in-tank electric fuel pump. Here is a tutorial showing how to replace an in-tank fuel pump:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-electric-fuel-pump

I've attached picture steps below on how to remove and replace the in-tank fuel pump on you Altima below. You don't have to remove the fuel tank as there is an access panel underneath to rear seat- seat cushion. Just remove to gain access. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros

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