1998 Altima Won't Crank! Help!

[97ka-t]

I just bought a 1998 Altima, automatic, with a little over 150k on the clock. It has an apparently good battery, all lights work, etc, but when I crank, all I hear is the ticking from the starter... Radiator has all fluid, the oil is at a decent level, but is definitely dirty. Can anyone give a few suggestions as to what could be wrong?

[atl530i]

Your battery can show 12v and still not have enough cranking amps to start the car. Did you try to jump it? If so, then your starter or starter solenoid has gone south.

[97ka-t]

Oh, and one more thing:The previous owner said that when they were driving the car, it just died and wouldn't start again. No quick jerks, or anything that would indicate the engine seized- it simply sputtered and stopped running- and is in the condition it is now.

[raymundojr]

You have to check also the nissan spark plug wire if it does have a problem as you have said that you heard a tickling sound from the starter.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

hey buddy, it's your distributor, oil fouled, common problem

[adidas2go]

1998's have distributors? I thought they had coil packs It really sounds like a dead battery/alternator to me. If it just died on the road, that would be indicative of a bad alternator. In turn, this will kill your battery, and give you that particular "sound", and starting problem.

[Scandinavian Flick]

adidas2go is right on this one, it sounds as if the alternator went out, then the car ran off the battery until it ran down to wear it couldnt run the car anymore, the ticking sound is your battery trying to start the car but there's not enough power to turn the motor. so odds are , get a new alternator , charge your battery and hope the cells in the battery are still good.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

I'm going to buy a new 98' altima with a 5sp today or tommorow, I'm almost positive the 98's have a distributor, from the quick look I had taken under the hood so far.

I am probably wrong, but it wouldn't hurt to take it off and look at it inside.

[adidas2go]

Ah ok. You might be right. I dunno that I have looked at an altima that old. A distributor problem would let the engine turn over though. It just wouldn't light off. Still think Its an alternator problem