my new used 97 sentra

[lucky03602]

okay first off the car i bought:1997 sentra 4dr 5spd 121k its been sitting in one place not started for 3-4 years. no rust on outside, surface on underneath.

guy said nothing wrong with it when he parked it. got it home wont fire by jumping it with cables. tried pop starting it and still nothing. waht happens when i turn the key when jumping it with cables is the starter clicks really really fast, but not like its catching. motor doesnt turn either.

now its been sitting a while so i know the motor might be stuck or siezed in one place. but ive honestly never heard a bad starter and was wonder if starters could also stick, or if the starter sounds like it might b bad.

also i have no idea about sentras and ive searched a little and havent found much info on my year.

was wonderign is there a group year where the cars are the same (ex 89-90 240sx, 91-94 240sx, 84-87 crx, etc..) so i can use base year so search better?

any misc info would be most appreciated!!

[RED_DET]

First lets start with trying to get the motor to turn over. Take all the spark plugs out and get a big 1/2" ratchet and 27mm socket(maybe a different size) and trying moving the crack with the crank pulley. If you can't get a couple revolutions, then I would begin to think the motor is seized up. Especially after sitting for 3-4 years. Yes starters are known to go bad on the sentra's as well.

[lucky03602]

well found out the crank does turn, actually all the pulleys turn....except the alternator.

and the belt is stuck to the alternator, so when the crank moves, and the alternator dont, nothing happens.

i also took off the starter prior and found out its not siezed and working perfectly.

so tomorrow i will either:

1) buy a 15/16 short socket and try to turn the alternator pulley manually using either a 1/2" or 3/8" ratchet

2) if that dont work then ill remove it and try to unsieze it or yank one from a junkyard just to get the motor running

but the motor does turn, just alternator stuck in place so i can comment anymore.

[lucky03602]

took alternator off, freed up the pulley, put alternator back on, turned key and after about 2-3 mins motor fired up!!

do these cars have timing chain or belt? i heard a noise coming from is sounds on top on passenger side of motor, might be valves but i would assume all would tap and not just one side..

brakes need to be check, and bled. ebrake works perfect, car sounds quiet no exhaust leaks.

i do have to buy new alternator and battery, i cracked outside shell off old alternator freeing it from engine, and battery been drained for quite a while and doesnt hold a charge.