starting issues

Nissan Rogue forum - Includes Nissan Qashqai and Nissan Dualis as well.
mossytxn
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Jul 16, 2008 3:31 am

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New guy here. Been lurking awhile...

Here's the deal. I have an SL AWD Premium. It has recently begun to take a few extra seconds to turn the engine over. Sometimes it takes as many as 5-7 seconds of cranking the engine before it catches. Rather annoying if you ask me. Count it off in your head, that is a long time to sit and crank one of today's motors...

I took it to the dealership to have a look. They said nothing was wrong. They said the Sentras all do the same thing. Their advice was to turn the key to the "ON" position and wait for the dash computer to fully come on. They said that would give the fuel system time to pressurize. After that they said to then go ahead and crank the engine.

This does nothing. It still takes a long time to crank. It happens on every time no matter if it is hot, warm, or cold.

I can't find any mention of this on the Sentra boards either. Any ideas?


philipa_240sx
Posts: 3808
Joined: Thu Jun 21, 2007 7:30 am
Location: Canada

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Both my '03 Altima and the Rogue start within 2-5 sec (same motor BTW). On rare occasion (ie very cold weather) have to crank longer. The dealer is correct that pausing 2-5 seconds in the ON position before starting will allow the fuel pump 'prime' the fuel system bringing it up to pressure and improve starting. Try this first.

Other possibilities (in order):

- Fuel brand/type: change fuel brand- Battery: battery is weak, have a load test performed- Ignition: faulty coil, spark plug incorrectly gapped, etc.- Fuel pump issue or clogged filter: Have the dealer check these. The pump and filter are located in the gas tank and are not easily serviceable.- Sensor issue (electronic throttle, ignition, MAF): Have the dealer check these with thier diagnostic tool.

One last thing:

Do not crank the vehicle with the accelerator depressed. The engine computer recognizes this has a hard to start engine condition and will either richen the fuel mixture (cold start mode) or perform a flooded engine clear function. It's described on pg 5-11 of your owners manual.

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kerrton
Posts: 2161
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:48 am
Car: 2008 Nissan Rogue SL FWD Gotham Gray
Location: Southern Alberta, Canada

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I can't believe that - there is definately something wrong but the thing that shocks me is the reaction of the dealer! That is total crap, my Rogue takes 1 second max to start, even 2 seconds seems quite long for it to start up.

Philip has some good input, but you shouldn't have to worry about any of these things, that is the mechanics job!! This is a brand new vehicle under warranty, you aren't supposed to have to worry about diagnosing problems yourself, when a compentent Nissan service department should be able to easily diagnose this - and even it it takes them all day, that is their problem to work out with Nissan manufacturer.

My suggestion is to bring it back and be firm that this is not normal and you want the problem diagnosed and fixed with a full debrief afterward.

mossytxn
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Jul 16, 2008 3:31 am

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I should mention that I also have an '08 Altima. No issues there. The problem with the Rogue started at around 2500 miles. It was not like that as new.

Phillipa: Letting the system "prime" has no effect. None at all. Battery is good. Fuel is from multiple stations, usually Chevron or Exxon. All that other stuff should have been checked by the dealer when it was there for two days.

Go to your Rogue and press the accelerator all the way down. Then crank. It will not start at all. This is the same as the Sentra. Neither system is pressurized until start. The computer will not send fuel to the system on startup if the pedal is pressed.

Don't think of the Rogue as sharing systems with the Altima. Think of it as a Sentra. They are more closely related.

2-5 seconds of cranking without turning over is too long. I have never had a car take that long. Ever. My '66 Mustang is quicker than that even with a cranky carburetor. My Rogue is taking 5-7 seconds. This is not normal. It may be time to visit a new dealer for service.

AznJohn22
Posts: 210
Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:08 am
Car: 08 Nissan Rogue

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It takes an extra second longer for me to turn it over from a cold start. i usually turn it to the ON position before starting. I thought it was only me too. Shakes a lil bit too.

philipa_240sx
Posts: 3808
Joined: Thu Jun 21, 2007 7:30 am
Location: Canada

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mossytxn wrote:Go to your Rogue and press the accelerator all the way down. Then crank. It will not start at all. This is the same as the Sentra. Neither system is pressurized until start. The computer will not send fuel to the system on startup if the pedal is pressed.
I am aware of this. I was just making sure that this was not the cause of your problem.
mossytxn wrote:Don't think of the Rogue as sharing systems with the Altima. Think of it as a Sentra. They are more closely related.
The Rogue is based off the Sentra platform. But the Rogue, Sentra SE-R, and Altima all share the same drivetrain: QR25DE motor & CVT transmission. There aren't many differences save for the Rogue's AWD system.

Definitely insist on getting this checked. If the dealer refuses, then try another dealer.

Orphanedcowboy
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri May 23, 2008 10:08 am
Car: ???? Nissan Rogue SL

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Mine has had several fail to start episodes on the first try and more than enough long crank sessions. Mine is usually at night after a day in the 100 degree heat.(I work 11pm - 6am) I have never encountered the problem in the morning after work. I have tried the key on method, and it has worked with minimal success.

jhrain
Posts: 20
Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:52 am
Car: 2008 Rogue SL AWD

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This is our fourth Nissan. All of them did this, going back to my '84 Sentra. I checked with the Service Manager at our dealership who said "yeah, frustrates a lot of owners, they want their cars to start RIGHT NOW"... "But, the sensors and fuel pressure are brought up, so this is very normal.. I don't remember replacing a starter in a Nissan in a long time".

We've only used this dealership for 2 years (we have an '05 Frontier) and I've grown to trust this guy.

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kerrton
Posts: 2161
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:48 am
Car: 2008 Nissan Rogue SL FWD Gotham Gray
Location: Southern Alberta, Canada

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I don't know....that doesn't explain why most of our Rogue's start immediately, and the vehicle never deviates from this regardless of how long it's been sitting, time of day, etc.. I start my Rogue in all kinds of situations including after its been sitting in the heat for an entire day/night or more, and it is always consistent - starts up immediately. I don't think there should be any difference from Rogue to the next, they should all start easily and immediately.

mossytxn
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Jul 16, 2008 3:31 am

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Well I have an update. I went to a different dealership and asked a different service guy. His answer was that it was quite common on the Versa as well as the Sentra and that it was a fuel pressure regulator issue. He also said that the starter motor was not an issue, but batteries don't last too long in those cases.

He told me to make an appointment and bring it in to have that replaced and my problems should dissappear. I am dropping it off this Friday. I'll let you all know how it goes.

gi'me
Posts: 33
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2008 7:51 am

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mossytxn wrote:...that it was a fuel pressure regulator issue. He also said that the starter motor was not an issue, ...


This makes more sense than just an idiosyncrasy with the make and model. My delayed start is intermittent, not consistent, so something is not right.

Please keep us updated, if, in fact, the problem rests with the fuel pressure regulator.

gi'me
Posts: 33
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2008 7:51 am

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Saturday morning I stopped into the Nissan dealer and spoke with a service rep. I explained my starting problem briefly and he responded nonchalantly, "Oh yeah, fuel pump. When do you want to schedule and appointment?"

If any service rep in any dealer doesn't know what you're talking about, then go somewhere else.

AznJohn22
Posts: 210
Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:08 am
Car: 08 Nissan Rogue

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are they going to issue a recall? my car has the same problem n gets pretty annoying!

AznJohn22
Posts: 210
Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:08 am
Car: 08 Nissan Rogue

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Should I call the service department first? or just bring my car in?

gi'me
Posts: 33
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2008 7:51 am

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I just happened to drive by the dealership and thought I might stop in. At that point, I scheduled an appointment. I suggest that you telephone the service department and schedule an appointment.

I don't know if Nissan will recall for a fuel pump, as it is not a life-threatening issue.

I wonder if Nissan manufacturers its own fuel pump or whether is sourced out?

Orphanedcowboy
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri May 23, 2008 10:08 am
Car: ???? Nissan Rogue SL

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I'll give you the cure for my issue.

My brother in law certifies and maintains gas pumps here in the DFW area, we went out to dinner and I was discussing my only gripe with him. He asked me where I was buying fuel, and I told him the local food chain and the discount store across the street because they were always a nickel to a dime cheaper than the others. He told me to drop them and go to either QT or Shell as they always kept their pumps in order and their filters changed. Well I am on my second tank, about 100 miles in, and my problem has gone away. I am back to the way it was when I drove it off the lot.

Just a heads up as philipa_240sx nailed it


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