Nissan Repair: 1998 nissan altima, nissan altima, voltmeter

Question
will not start new alt. starter months old have had battery checked mixed reading walmart says its bad autozone says its good the only noise i hear when key is turned light arcing sound by starter

Answer
Hi Richard -

I do not know what you mean by a light arcing sound - is that clicking?

Anyway, here is what you can do -
First of all, check the battery - get a voltmeter and measure across the negative and positive terminals. Voltage should be no less than 12. Have someone try to start the car. If the voltage drops substantially, then the battery is not good. You can further test this by turning on the headlights.

If the battery is good, then try tapping the starter housing with a hammer. Sometimes the carbon build up loosens and there is connection temporarily.

If you say you replaced the starter recently, then it is probably the battery.

Hope this helps,
aloha
calvin