Question-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Last week, I got into my car when I was at a mall parking lot. It started up fine, then just died. There was absolutely no power. I called my mechanic, and he said it may be the alternator since it started up, then died. I waited for AAA for an hour and a half, trying to start my car several times while I was waiting with no luck. By the time AAA arrived, the car started without any problems! The weeks before this, I got into my car, and it didn't start. I waited a minute, then it was fine. Also, about a month before this, my car was running fine and I was stopped at a stop sign. All of a sudden, my car just shut off. I tried to start it, but there was no power! About 30 seconds later, I started it and it was fine! My mechanic checked the car and could fine nothing wrong with it! The alternator and battery are fine. I'm very nervous that this is going to happen to me again - only this time I will really be stuck! What could it be? My mechanic recommened that I take the car to the Nissan dealer in the hope that this problem may sound familiar.
Thank you for your time!
Answer -
Kelly,
It sounds like the starter is going out and it will fail all together in short order. If you want to wait until it is dead then you will know for sure. But, I just replaced a starter on a 2000 Maxima wiht the same problem as you describe. The only other information that I would really need to know to be sure is for you to tell me that all the lights and other electrical items worked fine except that it died and would not start. If this is the case you know that your starter is the culpret.
Thank you so much for your quick response. The first two times that this happened to my car, I am not sure if the light and other electrical items worked, since it started up right away after briefly stalling. However, the last (and worst) time this happened, the door locks, lights, and my car alarm (key FOB) did not work whatsoever. What could be the problem? My mechanic and handy friends are at a complete loss!
Again, thank you so much for your help!
-Kelly
AnswerKelly,
Check the battery for proper charge and load capabilities and check the alternator for proper output. These would be the first thing I would do and then if they were not bad I would be looking at the starter. Autozone or Checker will check the charging system for free by just pulling in and asking them.
