2002 Nissan Altima POO21 ERROR

KROBERTS57

MEMBER
2002 NISSAN ALTIMA

Engine Mechanical problem
2002 Nissan Altima 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive 143800 miles

Hi, my car won't start, it makes a grinding noise, not turning over at all. My brother used his OBD2 and we get the P0021 error.

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 AT 2:41 PM

7 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

The code is regarding the intake valve timing (IVT). Usually a bad IVT sensor or cam sensor. I have to ask, when you try to start it and you hear a grinding, is the engine turning?

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Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 AT 8:44 PM

KROBERTS57

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3 POSTS

The very first time I started the car it did try to turn over, but every time after it just made the grinding sound. My brother told me to try to start it today -I hadn't tried since Sunday and it started just fine.

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Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 AT 9:08 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

I think you may be dealing with two problems. The grinding when you turn the key to start sounds like a bad solenoid on the starter not fully engaging with the flywheel. When that happens, the gears grind. Does that sound like what you heard?

As far as the other problem, is the light still on?

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Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 AT 9:31 PM

KROBERTS57

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3 POSTS

Yes it is a grinding noise and yes, the check engine light was still on.

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Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 AT 11:26 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

If the starter continues to do that, remove it and have it bench tested. It sounds like the solenoid is going bad. As for the other issue, something tells me the cam sensor is going bad. If the light is still on with the same code, that is my first guess.