1994 Altima won't start; has new battery; has new starter

[McKaitkal35]

My 1994 Nissan Altima won't start. I had the battery replaced, it still wouldn't start. I had the starter replaced. I had the car for 1 1/2 days when it wouldn't start again. I had it towed back to the shop for the second time. They have had it for 2 days. I called to see if they figured it out. They tell me that it has started fine for them so they don't know what the problem is. I am picking it up tonight but I am really afraid to drive it because I don't want it to die again and I don't want to pay for another tow, it will be my third one. Since my mechanics don't seem to know what's wrong, I wondered if anyone on this forum might have a suggestion. Please let me know. Thanks so much.

[p1ishr]

Not sure if it's been done already, but it sounds like they need to check the cables and/or the connects at the battery terminals. If you can put the key in the ignition and get all the lights to turn on, start the stereo, turn on the fan, etc. but can't get it to crank you might want to see if you're getting any current from the battery to the starter. Being a '94 model, if these cables were never changed, this would be the first area I'd check, as when they go the only evidence is a lack of power to high current items (like the starter)...you can get current or trickle current to items like the lights or stereo, but you need a good 500A to travel to the starter to to crank the engine. Also, make sure there isn't a buld-up of corrosion (that light greenish powder) at surrounding the terminals...this inhibits the flow of current from the battery.

Hope this solved your problem.

[wrenched_1]

i'm going to have to agree. i recently had the same problem with my car not starting, so i started looking around and turned out to be a ground break off on the alternator of all things. just happened that every now any then when i close the hood i didnt make contact with anything and the car would start.

i still have fixed it though. to busy keeping my buddy bronco running to grab a connector at the parts store. FORD

[TheKon]

If it's a manual transmission try giving it a push start like in the good ol' days. Or see if you can jump it. You may have purchased a defective battery. Does the engine crank when you turn the key?