car starting problem

[chipy]

hi

i have a 2003 nissan sentra and lately the car won't start right away after it's been sitting in the sun for a while. i turn the key and the lights come on... that's it. no cranking. after trying it several times it finally starts. when it's cold outside, it seems to have no problems starting... starts up fine.

does anyone know what's causing this and what i can do?

chipy

 

[kt]

Sounds like a relay problem. The fact that it only act up when it has been in the sun for a while and the symptom of no cranking.

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: kt
Sounds like a relay problem. The fact that it only act up when it has been in the sun for a while and the symptom of no cranking.

I agree. I had a similar problem with my Prelude - wouldn't start when it was warm in the car. It would crank all day long, but the fuel pump wouldn't fire. I pulled out the main relay under the dash, resoldered all of the contact points, and reinstalled it. Never happened again.

 

[chipy]

i'm gonna take it to a nissan dealership to let them look at it. i'm guessing there's nothing i could do myself to fix the problem right?

thanx

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: chipy
i'm gonna take it to a nissan dealership to let them look at it. i'm guessing there's nothing i could do myself to fix the problem right?

thanx

Not necessarily. I figured out how to fix mine myself by doing some searching and reading on a 3rd gen Prelude forum. Total cost to me = 1 hour of time and $0.00 vs probably at least $200 if I were to take it somewhere.

Maybe try here?

 

[chipy]

thanx guys... i look into it! i appreciate the help.

chipy

 

[Black88GTA]

Wait...it's a 2003? Is it still under warranty? If so, then by all means take it in before you start messing with it. If not under warranty, then my original advice stands 😛

Good luck!