Nissan Repair: 2004 Nissan Sentra wont start, nissan sentra, positive cable

Question
QUESTION: I had the car jumped and it still would not start. All the electrical turns on though. When i turned the key while the car was being jumped it tried to turn over but never did. Then it just started making a clicking noise. A few people have told me it sounds like the problem is the starter. Where is the starter located in my car though? Will knocking the starter with a hammer really work?

ANSWER: Hi Joanne -

I think this is the battery. Try this test -

First of all, try cleaning the terminals of the battery, and checking the tightness of each terminal.

Then turn the headlights on, and try to start the car. If the car still does not start and the headlights turn off or get really dim, then it is the battery.

If you hear just one click when you turn the key, (and the headlights are strong), you might want to try to hit the starter with a small hammer while someone is trying to start the car.

If your hear many clicks, again, it is probably the battery.

Hope this helps -
aloha
calvin

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

QUESTION: Calvin,

Thank you so much for your response!!! I will try everything you suggested...one problem though. I don't know where the starter is :-( Do you know where it would be in a 2004 Nissan Sentra 1.8 SL? Oh and when you say clean the terminals of the battery -- that would be the part where the cables are clipped onto right? And clean with what and how? One of those things looks perfectly fine and is super tight the other has a tiny few speckles of rust and is also super tight.

Best,

Joanne

Answer
Hi Joanne -

Remove the terminals using pliers, or 10mm wrenches. Remove the negative side first, and when replacing connect the positive side first. Clean with a solution of water and baking soda, and also sand the inside of the terminal for a good connection. If you do not see any deposits on the terminals, though, you are probably OK.

Locate the starter by following the red positive cable down into the engine. I believe on the Sentra, it should be right in front of the engine.

Hope this helps -

aloha
calvin