2008 Altima Not Starting and maybe Intelligent Key issues

[udfxrookie]

So today while driving, the serpentine belt in my 2008 Nissan Altima came off. I believe due to not having the passenger splash guard on, aging the belt faster than normal, etc. (I have the belt, it tore in the middle). I replaced the belt on the side of the road (VERY easy w/ 14mm wrench and the tires turn far to the right and another person helping guide the belt). Car started up and I continued on my merry way. Came home, went grocery shopping, came home again, went to go back out and the car wouldn’t start.

Here’s a video of EXACTLY what’s happening:


I hear what sounds like it maaaaaaaay be the starter clicking, before it wouldn’t even make a ticking noise. You can hear in the video one time it makes a whoosh sound that almost sounded like the fuel pump.

What do you guys think is wrong with this?

[udfxrookie]

Here's under the hood while pressing start:
https://youtu.be/rSAQtQ5eLn4

[telcoman]

So today while driving, the serpentine belt in my 2008 Nissan Altima came off. I believe due to not having the passenger splash guard on, aging the belt faster than normal, etc. (I have the belt, it tore in the middle). I replaced the belt on the side of the road (VERY easy w/ 14mm wrench and the tires turn far to the right and another person helping guide the belt). Car started up and I continued on my merry way. Came home, went grocery shopping, came home again, went to go back out and the car wouldn’t start.

Here’s a video of EXACTLY what’s happening:


I hear what sounds like it maaaaaaaay be the starter clicking, before it wouldn’t even make a ticking noise. You can hear in the video one time it makes a whoosh sound that almost sounded like the fuel pump.

What do you guys think is wrong with this?

I think you have a dead battery

Check the individual cells with a battery hydrometer



Even before you even do that put a voltmeter across the battery while someone presses the start button

I'm sure you'll see a substantial voltage drop from 12v

If your battery is more than 3-4 years old just replace it

The purpose of the splash guard is to prevent electrical problems from water in wet weather so why did you remove it?

Just asking for trouble in my opinion

Good luck

Telcoman

[udfxrookie]

Battery not dead... Here's the new clip with a brand new battery:


This was attempted with a brand new battery...

As for the splash guard, just got it. When car was purchased it didn't have it (creepy within itself) but it will be on there when this issue is resolved.

Personally I'm leaning towards the starter... ideas?

[udfxrookie]

I will go through the relays and fuses but I can actually hear them working
when the cover is off and someone presses start... so really praying for the starter.

The part that has me the most boggled is that the key fob will NOT lock the doors or work the alarm whatsoever, which also has me thinking this is a key programming issue (or Intelligent Key issue).

With the battery being a potential threat and a new one going in... that should've allowed my alarm to at least work right?

I don't see a starter being the cause for my keys to not work... kinda hoping maybe if the car start the key fob will start working too, but then again I'm used to working on non push start button cars.



******UPDATE************
New starter in, now battery is really dead, read like 10.2v and gets up to correct voltage with
trickle charge but after one attempt to crank, its dead.

Just found

Which if you see the yellow circle is a blown 250A fuse... when I put a piece of wire in there everything pops back to life. Remote works, all interior lights on dash that I didn't notice normally light up, lite up. When I pressed that start button I still got nothing however.

Now I believe mostly because this battery IS dead now, but what would make THAT fuse pop (how do I even replace that one, its part of the battery terminal). I'm scared to try starting it with the new battery in there while jumping that fuse.... ideas?

[telcoman]

You should have tested the battery cells prior to replacing the starter

Put the original starter back in.

Replace the blown fuse

If vehicle starts with a new battery return the starter to where ever you purchased it

That starter most likely caused the fuse to blow because as the voltage dropped from a defective battery the current draw increased and blew the fuse

Do not bypass fuses as you run the risk of a fire

Telcoman

[udfxrookie]

How do you replace that particular fuse?? Never seen a fuse in the positive terminal itself before.

Also I'm starting to think this was MULTIPLE issues. As for the battery, as mentioned above... BEFORE replacing the starter I used a brand new battery and attempted to start and simply heard the clicks. THEN I replaced the starter (after returning the batter lol) now I for sure need a new battery though.

Now after reading a TON of forums I'm starting to think
1) I had a battery issue or possibly an alternator issue creating low voltage,
2) potential starter failure (worse case scenario I'm sitting on a new starter in my car, the other had the small terminal rip off so there is no swapping that back in)
3) Of course blown fuse
4) But now: Steering Lock issue. As to START with I saw the FOB light on and no other lights\
(as seen and described here: https://youtu.be/qIT_Yl6BFuA)

Treatment:
1) I plan to get the new battery today, and attempt to start (while fuse is being jumped until I can figure out how to replace it)
2) If that fails and I see the FOB I'll move towards fixing the steering lock (as my FOB light is on and the steering wheel will NOT lock in place)

Thoughts?

[udfxrookie]

Update.
Battery replaced, fuse block replaced.
All lights lit like normal, but when I pressed the start button I get a turn of the engine and a blown 260A fuse on the fuse block.

What would cause the biggest fuse to blown when the engine cranks? The second it turned over it blew.

I attempted to unplug the alternator and disconnect the main wire. I then jumped the fuse and attempted to start the car, with no success.

I'm lost. Any ideas guys?

[udfxrookie]

Took alternator out, had it tested and its good.... today I will be searching for a burned wire, ground touching, as well as taking apart grounds and cleaning them.

[udfxrookie]

OK.... I removed the belt and cranked the car up, it started HOWEVER the alligator clip I had in place of the 240A fuse got VERY hot as shown here:


I checked the wires and they looked great. I removed grounds on alternator and valve cover, freshened up and re-bolted.... put belt back on, attempted another start hoping running it without the belt for a second released the load and I'd be in good shape again... NOT THE CASE.

Instead of the alligator clip just getting hot, this time it burnt a hole in it.

I'm completely LOST as I am NOT an electrical guy, have no clue what to test or how... any ideas (aside from taking it to the shop, which is CLOSE to happening)

[telcoman]

I'm completely LOST as I am NOT an electrical guy, have no clue what to test or how... any ideas (aside from taking it to the shop, which is CLOSE to happening)

You should have taken it to the dealer in the first place for proper testing

Telcoman

[udfxrookie]

12.5v load to the negative cable... time to look for short...
but here she is starting great without the belt on:
https://youtu.be/Q-qEHVt1z5c

[telcoman]

12.5v load to the negative cable... time to look for short...
but here she is starting great without the belt on:
https://youtu.be/Q-qEHVt1z5c

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Altima/2008/chg.pdf

See page CHG- 18 and read page CHG-6

I would suspect running the vehicle without the fiberboard shroud underneath allowed water and possible corrosion, a short, and or some sort of electrical damage to various components.

Good luck

Telcoman

[udfxrookie]

unplugged A/C, but fuse still pops and car is VERY hard to crank if not impossible basically with belt on: https://youtu.be/zLHxZDiAg9U
the compressor simply won't turn... I think that is the root of all my issues

[udfxrookie]

Anyone know what size belt I can get to simply bypass this until I buy a new compressor?

[udfxrookie]

Issue was the compressor, swapped out and EVERYTHING works great now.