Nissan Repair: 01 NIssan Sentra problems, nissan sentra, nissan dealership

Question
QUESTION: "Hi, I bought my 01 Sentra in 05 with 22,000 miles on it. It worked great until a couple of years ago it completely died on me. It took the mechanic 3 days (including talking to the Nissan dealership)to figure out it needed a new computer (which cost me $800). that was replaced and it was fine. About 4 weeks ago I was driving in the morning. I made one stop and when I went to start my car is would not start. It was completely dead. THe tow truck guy tried to jump the battery but nothing.  I just had a new battery put in a year ago. THe mechanic tested the starter, alternater, and battery and said the battery was weak, replaced it and the car started. He said it was fixed.  I took the old battery back to the place I got it from and when they tested it it said the battery was good. Anyways the next day I went to start my car and it would not start. Nothing came on. I tried to restart it 3 times wiht about 10 minuted in between wach time and the 4th time it started. It did it again in the evening. it took me 3 times before it would start.  After that it was fine. It started everytime and i have had no problems until yesterday. I was running errands and in the late morning I went to start my car and it would not start. The radio came on, the air came on, and it made a little clicking sound but it would not start. After the 3rd time trying to start it evrything was dead. Nothing came on, not the radio or air. The mechanic thought it may be the starter going out but I don't think so. He will look at it on Monday. Do you have any idea what it could be? THank you"


ANSWER: Marisol,

This is a matter of elimination of conditions that could cause the problem.

Starter seems the most common suspect.  That is, provided the battery is good.  If the alternator is charging the battery and the battery checks good then I would be looking at the starter.  So, in this order have the system checked.  

1.  Battery

2.  Alternator (Make sure the car charges when running)

3.  The clicking can mean a defective starter if the battery and alternator are working properly.

Email me back with what they tell you.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The mechanic said it was the battery cables and that I needed 2 of them. He also told me they had to be Nissan battery cables and that he had to order them.  He is charging me 300.00 which includes the over night shipping fee and the labor. He said the actual parts are about 150.00. I have looked up battery cables and they are only 10-15 dollars but he says they have to be Nissan. Is that the case? And should the labor cost that much? Thank you

Answer
Marisol,

Yes, Nissan cables are the right ones to use on the car.  Yes, they are expensive but they work properly.  It is worth the price not to get broken down again.  I would make sure he uses an anti-corrosive compound on the terminals when he completes the work to preclude the cables corroding again.  The $10 or $15 buck cables are pretty much worthless.  But, that is my experience.  Some things you can purchase like aftermarket oil filters and do fine.  Battery cables are one of those things where you want the right part to fit.