Car wont start

[jhuman]

This morning I put the key in and turned it, it cranked once and then nothing. I took the key out and put it back in, turned it all the way but nothing happens. I only hear a faint buzzing sound. The lights come on in the car so I dont think its the battery. I put a new starter in about 5 weeks ago so I dont think its that either. Any one had a similar problem?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Loose connection at the starter? Corroded ground? Where did you get the starter from?

Where do you live, I'm assuming you're talking about the 03 sentra. That's relatively new, so I wouldn't exactly expect this to be the issue, but check your battery terminals (and the cables going into the terminal section) for corrosion.

[RED_DET]

Just because accessory lights come on doesn't mean there is enough cranking amps to turn the starter over.

[jhuman]

I live in Maryland. I had a local body shop order the starter and they put in for me. Im assuming they ordered it from a nissan dealership. How do I check the connection at the starter? Also the headlights come on completely, would this be enough to rule out the battery?

[jhuman]

any possibility that the starter is defective even though its only been in for a month?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Yeah, that's possible... and I highly doubt they got the starter from a dealership.
Easy way to see if its the battery or not is to jump the car and see if it starts up fine.

The starter connections are really just the wires that go to it. Just make sure they are tight and clean. DEFINITELY disconnect your battery for this. The starter essentially has the most amperage going through it in the entire vehicle.

[jhuman]

So I went to start the car this afternoon and it came on, initially the engine sounded very weak. I drove the car a short distance to park it in a better spot. I thoroughly cleaned off the corrosion on the negative terminal, secured it back onto the battery but then I got nothing when i tried to start the car. I had a buddy give me a jump as well but that had no effect either. I dont have the tools to get to the starter but when I had my buddy turn the key and as I listened to the starter I heard an intermittent clicking sound. Im not sure what that means so I think Im gonna have a mechanic look at it

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Sounds like a bad starter.

[jhuman]

Ok got the problem fixed, it was a faulty ignition switch, the mechanic replaced it for no charge and the car is fine again

[jhuman]

I got my terms mixed up, it wasn't a faulty ignition switch that was the problem. I have just learned the ignition switch is something completely different. The problem was the connector that goes to the starter. I guess it went bad and the mechanic replaced it with this cheap little pin like thing that can go into the place where the connector used to be, thats why it was so quick and it was done free of charge

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Thanks for the follow-through!

[smash209]

Just curious, but was it the solenoid? Its essentially a relay on the starter (or inside) that switches the starter on.

[TaiLuu]

You could also try to, press unlock, lock, then unlock on the door that deactivates the Anti Theft system of something, when ever your car dies. Happened to our Murano.