Start-up problems at 400 miles?

[seize]

Hey, I've been lurking on this forum for a while — both before and after I took the plunge — but I finally have my HB. Love it, love driving it, love taking it for car washes (how is it that birds know you have a new car?), love the looks I get on the road and all that. So, hey, everyone.

But today I noticed a weird glitch while starting up my car. I ran in to get some lunch, came back and started my car. Maybe I was in a rush, but it seemed like it died right after turning over. My interior lights stayed on but my engine was dead. I restarted, and it worked fine. No weirdness. I didn't think much of it, but then I got out of work and it did the same type of thing again; turn, tried to turn over, made some chugging noises, stopped. I stayed in the parking lot and tried it again. Worked fine. Started, stopped, restarted. Seemed like it was fine. Then I lost my contact in the parking lot and was more worried driving home at 1 a.m.

I'm concerned about this, having never owned a car of my own before and planning to make a small trip to Iowa tomorrow. Does this seem that abnormal? I've had it for a month now and feel dumb taking it in for service, but I don't want to get stranded on some highway rest stop in the middle of a state I barely know. It could also be I don't know how to turn the ignition, since I'm always weirded out about not using a real key. This is a CVT SL model with the conv. package, has never had any problems before, brought brand new to the airport for me. Am I being paranoid here? Should I not take Vice (my car's nickname) on the road trip? Help?

Q
Modified by seize at 2:50 PM 7/3/2007

[Deke40]

I would definitely postpone the trip until you take the V in to the dealer.

I have had and have heard of starting problems but not of the dying after starting. My own SL has had a problem at different times of not cranking on the first try and then it always cranks. The salesman I bought it from is having the same problem.

I haven't taken mine in yet as is always starts after this problem and I have been on the lookout for others having the same problem.

Get it to the dealer if you are feeling uduly apprehensive about the problem.

[gotrice]

I know this may sound silly, but what else do you have on your key chain with your car key?

The reason i ask is that my car started up fine til i put the key on with my other keys. (LOL SOUNDS FUNNY) What was happening was that on my key ring, i had an electronic key fob.(keyless access) When it was close to my key, it wouldnt allow the car to start sometimes. The electronic key fob would interfere with the chip in the key. It took me a good day to figure out what the hell was going on.

Hope this helps. If not, its just a long story in the wrong topic. LOL

[gotrice]

Oh yeah, if you read your manual, it tells you that you may want to put your key on a seperate ring.

Also this is for all models.

[Deke40]

Seize-Is your car actually running then dies or is it just turning over and not running? Because if your are blocking the signal from your key you will get a red key symbol and it will not turn over and a green one if the signal is getting through and it should start or do like mine and take a couple of tries to start.

[seize]

Deke:

Yeah, it's turning over, and sometimes it goes but then dies. Sometimes it just turns and turns and won't start. The second time always gets it going, though.

I took the trip against my judgement, so I'm taking it in to a dealer here. This sucks.

[Deke40]

The last two days mine has been taking at least two tries to get it going. I found out today if I just keep it in the "crank" position it will crank but I was always taught this is not good for the starter as it will overheat it and eventually cause a failure from this extended cranking.

I make a trip for the Nissan dealer yesterday and talked to one of the techs in the shop. He said he hadn't heard of this problem in the Versa but leave it with him and if they can't find it they then call Nissan with the problem.

Going to leave mine with them next time I drive for them.

Will keep you posted.

[seize]

I took it in to a helpful Nissan dealer here in Cedar Rapids. They checked it out and said it was a fuel pressure problem. They needed to order parts for it, either a fuel pressure gauge or the fuel pump itself. I don't know how reliable that information is, since I called my dealer (Luther Nissan) and they said that sounded pretty rare. Both service departments said they've never seen anything like it on a new Versa. The guy here in Iowa seemed to think it was a faulty part, but my car only has (now) 600 miles on it. I'm not really sure what to do, but I have to drive it back to Minneapolis today. I'm going to try not to stop at all, but that's going to be pretty difficult.

Deke, I tried the crank-till-it-starts and it seemed to work for me, too, but it also goes against my better judgement. I would imagine it works the second time because it has the fuel from the first try, too. I know next to nothing about cars and don't know how skeptical to be toward all of this.

Anyone had this problem before? Anyone have any idea how much it'll cost me?

My Luther guy was real chatty, asking me how much I liked the car, you know, except for this whole can't-start-it-up-right thing. I do love it, but this is pretty annoying, especially because I work the holiday.

Thanks for the help, guys.

[bikeman]

my car only has (now) 600 miles on it. Anyone had this problem before? Anyone have any idea how much it'll cost me?

First time I've heard of this problem. Why do you think it'll cost ya anything except your time?

David

[stevejonas1088]

Almost always these kinds of problems are fuel related. You have to take into account your elevation and weather conditions. Just turn the key to acc position for 3-5 seconds and let the fuel pump, get fuel all the way to the injectors. I may sound silly for saying this and it is prolly out dated but works for me, on any other vehicle I have driven.

[Deke40]

Almost always these kinds of problems are fuel related. You have to take into account your elevation and weather conditions. Just turn the key to acc position for 3-5 seconds and let the fuel pump, get fuel all the way to the injectors. I may sound silly for saying this and it is prolly out dated but works for me, on any other vehicle I have driven.

I forgot to include in my post that I had been doing what you mentioned and it doesn't help at all.

I have owned numerous autos with fuel injection and have never had this problem regardless of the weather conditions. I am not saying this couldn't happened I just haven't experienced it myself.

What ticks me off is it will go for awhile with no problems then start all over again.

The salesman that sold me mine bought one about the same time I did and he is having the same problem.

It has never left me stranded yet.

[01LTD]

I'm having the same issues with mine. Just haven't had time to take it into the dealership. I only have the key and the keyless entry on my keyring. So who knows. just pisses me off since the car was new and it now only has 10K miles. Grrrrrrrr. Hasn't left me stranded though. Keep us updated on what happens.

[EdKrull]

I am having the same problem, as is a friend who bought one recently. I have about 400 miles and they have about 800. Starts after keeping the key turned for 3-5 seconds.

[newversa]

is this a common issue. my new versa has just 40 miles on it. purchased it less than a month ago. And now the key just wont turn for ignition.

I checked the front wheels, etc. nothing that should cause it to lock.

I am already thinking of trading it in. will i get the same value i bought it for? It a NMAC financed car. I dont want to be spending money, and going to the dealer every other month.

[KimberKenobi]

On my first V I went through a period where there was a starting delay (had to keep it turned over for longer than I'd like) but it went away...

Surely all Vs can't be bad... I've had two so far and no trips to the shop (that weren't because people are retarded and apparently my car makes people forget to be intelligent) ... let me clarify, I've been back several times in reference to my paint protectant, my decals, and my dealer brands.

In fact, I'd only have had one V if the salesman hadn't told me that the aftermarket sunroof was better than the factory sunroof.

We'll see how the Camel goes after a 5,000 mile round trip in late August... but I've been really happy with the V so far...

[Woogie]

is this a common issue. my new versa has just 40 miles on it. purchased it less than a month ago. And now the key just wont turn for ignition.

I checked the front wheels, etc. nothing that should cause it to lock.

I am already thinking of trading it in. will i get the same value i bought it for? It a NMAC financed car. I dont want to be spending money, and going to the dealer every other month.

Not sure if this is a common issue, but if you trade it in, then you will NOT get the full purchase price back. The car is now considered used and depreciation has started to kick in. Assuming that you didn't pay more than MSRP, the value of the car is probably around 15%-%25 less than when you bought it. If you sell it yourself, you might get closer to what you paid, but probably not the full amount, especially now that the 2008s will be hitting the dealers in force soon.

The car is still under warranty. The dealer has to fix it for free. Is this is the only problem? If so, then give the dealers a chance to fix it. It will cost you far less money to have the dealer fix the problem than to trade it in for another car.
Modified by Woogie at 9:26 PM 7/8/2007

[Deke40]

newversa-

My first question would be--Do you have the Intelligent Key opition?

[GoodbyeCavalier]

Im having the same problem, with I key, but if i keep cranking it will start, it always starts the second time, I havent noticed the red no key symbol, shouldnt be an issue, its always in my front pant pocket. It seems to do it only when its hot out. no problems over winter

[brownbrix]

damm you all have that problem i only had it happen to me twice. Scared the crap out of me but im a tech but what kind of gas are you guys putting in. Im using what the mfg told me i think the unlead regular 89 octane in canada

hopefully someone will give us the right answer so we can all go to our dealer and tell them too look at this

[GoodbyeCavalier]

91 octane

[differentdave]

I to am having start up problems, I have 700 miles on versa sl with intelligent key, I use regualr unleaded gas. Started yesterday. I have a remote starter, thought I started it , got to car and it wasn't running, it turned right over, paid no attention to it. Later on in day same issue. So I hit remote start as I was infront of car laast night. Sure enough it cranked for a while, failed, tried again failed and then stopped. I got in turned it over once and it started.This morning, I went directlly to car to start from inside car, and again it would not turn over, just cranked. A few tires later it started right up. VERY ODD

[seize]

Just to update on my trip to the dealership. It did it all the way up back from Iowa, did it at home and after work. On the Friday I had the appointment scheduled -- nothing. Worked like a charm. It's like the service guy said: It's like it knew it was going to the doctor, and the problem went away. It's done it only once since then (last week) and doesn't seem to be a huge problem anymore. I haven't noticed any common conditions that seem to cause this. But if anyone can figure this thing out, I'd really appreciate it. It seemed like I was the only one who had seen this. Now, apparently, it's a little more widespread.

I hope Vice grows out of it. If anyone does it in front of a service center, let me know. I don't want my guys to think I'm crazy.

Side story: I fit my girlfriend's bike in the backseat, no problem. I was quite impressed. I did ding up the paint a bit, but nothing too bad.

[EdKrull]

OK, update on mine. I have a V with no convenience package. It starts fine in the morning, but any time after that it takes between 3 and 5 seconds to start. I took it to the dealership, and I happen to be a family friend of the service manager that I got. Anyway, he was thorough in digging around for a solution, and finally found out that this is a known issue with a limited number of the Versas, and that Nissan Tech is working on a solution. He doesn't know if it will end up in a recall to replace a part or what. Nice to know that we aren't all crazy... Anyway, if you are having this I would get to a dealership and let them add you to whatever list they are keeping of people having this problem. I suspect it is a good chunk of us (as both me and my friend who have V's are having this issue).

[EdKrull]

OK, update on mine. I have a V with no convenience package. It starts fine in the morning, but any time after that it takes between 3 and 5 seconds to start. I took it to the dealership, and I happen to be a family friend of the service manager that I got. Anyway, he was thorough in digging around for a solution, and finally found out that this is a known issue with a limited number of the Versas, and that Nissan Tech is working on a solution. He doesn't know if it will end up in a recall to replace a part or what. Nice to know that we aren't all crazy... Anyway, if you are having this I would get to a dealership and let them add you to whatever list they are keeping of people having this problem. I suspect it is a good chunk of us (as both me and my friend who have V's are having this issue).

Quick Update on this... They don't have a solution yet, and the tech filled my ticket in saying that that car was working to specs (he said they don't want to start replacing parts when they don't know what the problem is). I have a complaint call in at 1800-NISSAN1 to make sure that this continues to be considered an issue. A new car should inspired confidence, not trepidation. That said, it hasn't left me stuck anywhere and I love everything else about the V. I just want to make sure that someone somewhere is looking in to a real fix for this.

[Deke40]

After a week or so of delayed starting mine is working fine again. Starts with just a short touch of the start position. Go figure. This is the second are third cycle of this in the 3 and a half months I have had it.
Modified by Deke40 at 8:19 AM 7/17/2007

[michelkenny]

Just to let you guys know that this happened to me twice about 3 months ago. Couldn't get the car started, waiting 5 minutes, then it started.

[EdKrull]

Deke, you live in Texas too right? I wonder if it could be the ethanol blend that most places have here. Maybe I need to be using a higher Octance or purer gasoline... Since mine also stated at 400 miles, that was just about my first fill up...

[Deke40]

Deke, you live in Texas too right? I wonder if it could be the ethanol blend that most places have here. Maybe I need to be using a higher Octance or purer gasoline... Since mine also stated at 400 miles, that was just about my first fill up...

Might be but and can't understand why it cycles when the gass should be fairly consistent in quality.

I guess until Nissan gets enough complaints and figures it out I am going to live with it and not pay 10 cents more a gallon hoping it will correct it.

I still think my Versa is the greastest thing since sliced bread.

[EdKrull]

Update - my friend who is having the same problem (5-10 seconds of key turning) took it in to antoher tech and they are going to replace her fuel pump. They are backordered, but I am going to bring mine in to get on the list as well.

[GoodbyeCavalier]

taking mine in on Wed Will advise With What they tell me