1998 Nissan Maxima SE wont start!??!

[sgilbreth20]

I got into my car today and started it, it died within two seconds. Then I repeated this two more times and with the same result. I tried one more time and it just turns over. Then I pulled the key out and it started for two seconds and quit. What is going on!?

[Koshin]

its a Nissan

[tigersharkdude]

We need more info, such as; is the starter clicking, is it turning over but just not starting. Check your battery, it sounds like it may be dead

[scotty-2-forty]

I got into my car today and started it, it died within two seconds. Then I repeated this two more times and with the same result. I tried one more time and it just turns over. Then I pulled the key out and it started for two seconds and quit. What is going on!?

Has this been progressively getting worse, or did it just happen? Do you get a check engine light? When you crank the car, do you hear the fuel pump working? Try checking your fuses. Check for fouled spark plugs. Then, you might want to get any codes off the computer ... Autozone does this for free (if you can get the car there). This will tell you also if a sensor is failing.

[sgilbreth20]

hey everyone thank you for the tips.

The starter is turning over but jsut not starting. If the battery is dead would it be turning over? Yes the check engine light is on and it is on for the knock sensor. It just happened it has never done this before. We actually changed the started about 6 months ago so I know it could not be that it was brand new. My husband checked the fuses and said everything was great. I will tell him about the spark plugs tough. I cannot even get my car out of my parking place LoL

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I wonder if its getting enough fuel.... Maybe you got some junk in the tank and it can't supply enough fuel to keep it running. If you nail the gas, will it idle up? Tell your husband to stand at the back of the car and smell the exhaust. See if it smells like fuel or anything else.

I'm going to move this thread to the Maxima section.

[loystock]

hey everyone thank you for the tips.

The starter is turning over but jsut not starting. If the battery is dead would it be turning over? Yes the check engine light is on and it is on for the knock sensor. It just happened it has never done this before. We actually changed the started about 6 months ago so I know it could not be that it was brand new. My husband checked the fuses and said everything was great. I will tell him about the spark plugs tough. I cannot even get my car out of my parking place LoL

A weak battery can still turn the engine but cannot have enough speed for combustion. Check the battery connections are clean and tight and that the battery voltage is 12.5VDC with engine off. If <12.5VDC, jump start the car and it it starts, then you have a weak battery.

If the car still won't start when jump-started, then you may have problem with fuel delivery (pump. filter, leak-down), ignition, an engine sensor (e.g. crankshaft) or poor ground connections, especially on the main engine harness..

[sgilbreth20]

The battery is good we got it chekced out this weekend. I was wondering, could it be the key if the security light stays on?

[loystock]

You may have a fuel delivery problem or the Anti Theft System is preventing you from starting the car.

The Security LED should go OFF with Ignition at ON position. The Anti Theft System and the Security LED are controlled by the Body Control Module (BCM). AFAIK, for your car, it will disable the starter and not the fuel pump.

Verify if your Anti Theft/Security is working by - close and lock all doors, the system goes in PRE-ARMED state and the LED turns ON steady for @ 30 secs; if internal check is OK, system goes into ARMED state and LED blinks every 2.5 secs. System goes in ALARM mode if door opened w/o any key or remote (or hood/trunk opened before door is opened). System goes in DISARMED state when door(s) is unlocked thru key or RC.

I'm not sure if it will work but there is no harm in trying. Dismount (do not disconnect connector) the Hood Close sensor (behind driver side headlight) by removing the mounting screws and secure it to prevent it from bouncing around. This will prevent the Hood sensor from detecting close position and theoretically, prevent the Anti Theft System from going into ARMED state. With the system not armed, then there should be no starter/fuel pump inhibit.

Please let me know if it worked.