Car won't start ('08 coupe)

[gearhead05]

Any help or insight anyone may have would be greatly appreciated

I went to start my car this morning to head to work but ran into some issues. The first thing I noticed was that the break pedal didn't seem to go down as far as it normally does to start the car. Anyways, I pressed the break and then the start button. The car tried to start up but didn't, it just cycled to "on." I tried again and it did the same thing and this time I heard a clicking sound. After the second time, the car cycled to "on" again, but this time I could not turn the car off. It was stuck in the "on" position and I could not get it to turn off. All my lights were on in my car and my stereo kept cycling on and off.

I was going to try to disconnect the battery so it wouldn't die but I don't have any tools at my house. I popped the hood anyways, but that didn't really do me any good as I had no clue what I was looking for. The clicking sound stayed on continuously for about 5-10 minutes before finally stopping. The clicking sounded like it was coming from right around the same area as the battery.

Anyone know what my problem might be?

[mmkeller]

If it is the original battery, most likely that is the problem. Mine died 9 months ago and I went with a better battery, not OEM - they suck.

[07wHiTE 3.5SE 6sPD]

sounds like the battery, the clicking sounds like the starter solenoid not getting adequate voltage. If you have access to a second car, take the battery out and have autozone check it. They'll do it for free and they can let you know if the battery is bad or just low on charge which can indicate a faulty charging system. good luck, let us know what you find

[Hussain]

this is how the car sounds with a dead battery

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x86wjgoO_c4

[gearhead05]

My first thought was the battery as well, but I don't see why the battery would affect the brake pedal. I literally cannot even push the break pedal down to even attempt to start the car. I just got home from work and tried again and still no luck...

[07wHiTE 3.5SE 6sPD]

wow... thats weird. did you go and physically check the brake pedal mechanism to see if anything broke and is jamming it? Never heard of a stuck brake pedal.

[IBCoupe]

My brake pedal has been getting stiffer than usual occasionally, after sitting for a while. I put all my weight on it and it depresses some and I can start the car.

I don't know what it means; I haven't looked into it because I haven't been stranded.

[gearhead05]

wow... thats weird. did you go and physically check the brake pedal mechanism to see if anything broke and is jamming it? Never heard of a stuck brake pedal.

I'm gonna check everything again when I get home but from what I could see nothing looked broke or looked like it was jamming. I'm gonna call the dealership when I get home and see if they can give me any insight to the issue.

[gearhead05]

I got my car running again! Not exactly sure what happened, but my brakes for some reason locked up. I had to use the shift lock to pop the car into neutral and get it rolling a little bit and I guess that "unstuck" the brakes. After that I jumped the battery just in case. At first it didn't sound like it would start up, but it did! Driven it a couple times since yesterday and all seems to be well.

[mrodrig2]

Might be a loose battery ground cable. I have this problem all the time with the warm days and cold nights causing the connection to be loose. I just need to wiggle the cable so its tight again. The brake pedal will get stiff after you pump it because you are building up the brake fluid pressure with each pump. It's normal, I just push down a little harder.

[IBCoupe]

My guess is that his issue is the same as mine. I park my car at work or at the apartment, and I'll come out after 9 hours in either location, and the brake pedal is rock hard, as if I'd been pumping it without being there.

[gearhead05]

My guess is that his issue is the same as mine. I park my car at work or at the apartment, and I'll come out after 9 hours in either location, and the brake pedal is rock hard, as if I'd been pumping it without being there.

That's exactly what it was like.

[IBCoupe]

My problem only started about mid-summer, so I thought the heat had something to do with it. As it intermittently persists throughout autumn, however, I'm beginning to have my doubts.

Maybe I'll call into Car Talk this weekend.

[IBCoupe]

I assume since you depress the brake to start your car, you've got the CVT transmission, too, right?

What packages are on your car?

We're both 2008, 3.5L, CVT... I've got everything but back-up camera and satellite nav. Don't know if that information will make a bit of difference, but it's worth having.

[07wHiTE 3.5SE 6sPD]

i've reviewed the schematics of the brake system on our altimas. the brake booster seems to be a culprit. The vacuum line has a check valve installed with a directional arrow. The purpose of the check valve is so that when the vehicle is turned off the vacuum required for the brake booster travel is stored in the line and is not bled back into the motor. If this valve becomes faulty it will allow the vacuum air to be released overtime causing the brake pedal to get stiff as if someone has been pumping your brakes while the car is off. When the engine is running your brake pedal feels fine? When your driving does the pressure and stopping power feel normal?

[gearhead05]

--> IBCoupe - I have a base model with nothing extra except moonroof and kick plates. I do have an aftermarket audio setup (headunit, speakers, amps & sub)

-->07White - Yes, my brake pedal feels fine now, just like it always did. After I got it going again I took it around the block going slowly (no more than 25) through the neighborhood. I did both normal, gradual stops and hard,sudden stops and it performed very well, just like it always did prior.

[IBCoupe]

Yes, 07 - that's exactly the symptom. It works fine except for the occasional trouble at start.

This doesn't seem too bad of a DIY thing.

[telcoman]

sounds like the battery, the clicking sounds like the starter solenoid not getting adequate voltage. If you have access to a second car, take the battery out and have autozone check it. They'll do it for free and they can let you know if the battery is bad or just low on charge which can indicate a faulty charging system. good luck, let us know what you find

If your battery has vent caps and is not sealed you can use a battery hydrometer to check for a weak or dead cell



They are about $10.00

With the engine running place test leads of a voltmeter across the battery terminal and you should read about 14.4 volts if your alternator is good.

Telcoman