NEED HELP ASAP: 06 Nissan Altima...starting problem

[foreverfalcon40]

So the Ms. Has a mint 06 Nissan Altima that she has owned since new and has 54k on it. Kept up with all its maintences...

At times it cranks, cranks, cranks and then turns over. So I replaced the orignal leaking battery with a DIEHARD GOLD like 725 CCA more then what the car will ever call for.

It went away for a little then BOOM. It happened all over again. I was at work and I missed it all. She claims the neighbor came out played with a few wires and it turned over.

So I left work with new terminals and went to go service her car. BEFORE I EVEN TOUCHED THE CAR, I cranked it and it started right up. The terminals were on tight JUST as I left them. I just pulled them off and re-cleaned them real good. I cranked the car 10 times and it started right up! I never bothered switching out the terminals.

About an hour ago, she had the problem all over again. Car crank crank crank but won't turn over. Car sat for 20mins started like a charm.

HELP HELP HELP, I am beat...hate to take it to the dealer!

 

[06xl]

Ignition coil ,starter,alternator possible causes

 

[sumo]

give more info please, 2.5, 3.5? Temp outside? dtcs? Ill see if alldata has any tsb

 

[foreverfalcon40]

Can't be the ALT...or else car would eventually go put, been on on going issue for a month. Vehicle has never been needed to be jumped.

Starter....hmmm any to test it? Starter issue....no cranking at all?

---------- Post added at 12:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:25 AM ----------

2.5, been doing weather its been cold out and warm like 65-70 degrees is the hottest its been.

 

[ScottyBoy]

I have an 05 Altima had the same problem. It also was in the 55k mile area when it did this. In addition to the starting issue, when it was running the trans seemed like it was acting up at highway speeds. Almost like a jerking action. I googled it and found some Nissan forums and found a thread that says this is caused by faulty knock and crank sensors. Its the same sensor for both and they will both throw the same code, so just replace them both. It seems this is a fairly common problem, so much so that Nissan redesigned the sensor. You need to get two sensors from the dealer. They are the only ones who sell the new style sensor. The new style has a metal cap over the end. The old style (and the one the parts stores carry) is all plastic. It seems the plastic couldn't take the heat of the engine, over time it melted the solder joints inside the sensor. At least that's what I read on google anyway. I got both sensors from the dealer for 116 with tax. It took me 30 minutes to change them both, and the dealer quoted me over 500 to do the same job. After both sensors were replaced the engine fired right up with not a single hiccup. That was over 2 years and over 30k miles ago. Still runs perfect.

 

[sumo]

found this. Even though its not cold dosent mean that this unit could be the cause
Classification:
EL04-014b

Reference:
NTB04-111b

Date:
October 13, 2006

ENGINE WILL NOT CRANK (NO START)
WITH OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE BELOW 10°F

This bulletin has been amended. Models have been added to the Applied Vehicles and the Parts Information has been updated. No other content has been changed.
Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.

APPLIED VEHICLES:
2002 - 2006 Altima (L31)
2004 - 2006 Maxima (A34)
2004 - 2006 Quest (V42)
2003 - 2006 Murano (Z50)
2003-2006 350Z (Z33)
2004 - 2006 Titan (A60)
2004 - 2006 Armada (TA6O)
2005 - 2006 Pathfinder (R51)
2005 - 2006 Xterra (N50)
2005 - 2006 Frontier (D40)

IF YOU CONFIRM:

A "No Crank" (starter doesn't work) incident under all of the following conditions:

1. The vehicle sat for several hours (cold soak) with outside temperatures below 10°F (12°C); and

2. The vehicle was then driven for a short period of time (5-10 minutes); and

3. The engine was then turned OFF for a short time (5-10 minutes); and

4. The engine would then not crank when a restart was attempted (starter doesn't work).

NOTE :This TSB applies only if all of the above occurred.


ACTION:

Replace the Intelligent Power Distribution Module-IPDM (see the Parts Information).

^ For IPDM replacement information, go to the Service Manual, section PG, Removal and Installation of IPDM E/R.

 

[foreverfalcon40]

I have an 05 Altima had the same problem. It also was in the 55k mile area when it did this. In addition to the starting issue, when it was running the trans seemed like it was acting up at highway speeds. Almost like a jerking action. I googled it and found some Nissan forums and found a thread that says this is caused by faulty knock and crank sensors. Its the same sensor for both and they will both throw the same code, so just replace them both. It seems this is a fairly common problem, so much so that Nissan redesigned the sensor. You need to get two sensors from the dealer. They are the only ones who sell the new style sensor. The new style has a metal cap over the end. The old style (and the one the parts stores carry) is all plastic. It seems the plastic couldn't take the heat of the engine, over time it melted the solder joints inside the sensor. At least that's what I read on google anyway. I got both sensors from the dealer for 116 with tax. It took me 30 minutes to change them both, and the dealer quoted me over 500 to do the same job. After both sensors were replaced the engine fired right up with not a single hiccup. That was over 2 years and over 30k miles ago. Still runs perfect.

THanks so much! is there anyway to test these?

Any1 here have access to ALLDATA, at work we have it, but since we are only allowed to do certain things, parts of ALLDATA are blocked

I don't know where these sensors are.

Can it be done in the drive way with a jack?

---------- Post added at 10:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:24 AM ----------

found this. Even though its not cold dosent mean that this unit could be the cause
Classification:
EL04-014b

Reference:
NTB04-111b

Date:
October 13, 2006

ENGINE WILL NOT CRANK (NO START)
WITH OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE BELOW 10°F

This bulletin has been amended. Models have been added to the Applied Vehicles and the Parts Information has been updated. No other content has been changed.
Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.

APPLIED VEHICLES:
2002 - 2006 Altima (L31)
2004 - 2006 Maxima (A34)
2004 - 2006 Quest (V42)
2003 - 2006 Murano (Z50)
2003-2006 350Z (Z33)
2004 - 2006 Titan (A60)
2004 - 2006 Armada (TA6O)
2005 - 2006 Pathfinder (R51)
2005 - 2006 Xterra (N50)
2005 - 2006 Frontier (D40)

IF YOU CONFIRM:

A "No Crank" (starter doesn't work) incident under all of the following conditions:

1. The vehicle sat for several hours (cold soak) with outside temperatures below 10°F (12°C); and

2. The vehicle was then driven for a short period of time (5-10 minutes); and

3. The engine was then turned OFF for a short time (5-10 minutes); and

4. The engine would then not crank when a restart was attempted (starter doesn't work).

NOTE :This TSB applies only if all of the above occurred.


ACTION:

Replace the Intelligent Power Distribution Module-IPDM (see the Parts Information).

^ For IPDM replacement information, go to the Service Manual, section PG, Removal and Installation of IPDM E/R.

I understand...

just that its 50k, this car is babied. Thought the paint would go first and carpets fade b/c she gets it detailed every damm week!

Starter is easily accessible, I might try that too, b/c if the starter is good I can just throw the OEM one back in and return the old one. Have a feeling with the sensors I'm ******!

 

[07Burb]

The starter is definitely a possibility for this issue. It could have a "dead" spot in it that'd cause this issue randomly but would eventually go completely out leaving her stranded.

 

[foreverfalcon40]

At 50k?...wtf ill try this weekend...

 

[07Burb]

At 50k?...wtf ill try this weekend...

Yeah but it is 5 years old and if she stops and starts the car a lot it's not too unrealistic....