Car Won't Start

[Aikouka]

2007 Nissan Altima 3.5SL

I went to start my car this afternoon; I pushed the brake pedal down, pushed the button and all I heard were a bunch of clicks from the starter. The lights in the car would flicker a bit like they normally do when it's turning over.

I have roadside assistance with my car's warranty, and they sent someone out to see if it's the battery. Well, the car still wouldn't start when attempting to jump it (I didn't expect it to work).

Any thoughts on what I could be looking at?

Note that my brake switch has been replaced once already.

 

[jlee]

Clicking is normally a low / failing battery (assuming you're hearing a rapid tiktiktiktiktiktiktik sound?). Next step would be the starter itself. Has the battery ever been replaced?

 

[ProchargeMe]

It sounds to me like the cell of the battery is completely dead. Unlike a normal dead battery, it can't be jumped off. I sense a new battery in your future.

 

[Aikouka]

Clicking is normally a low / failing battery (assuming you're hearing a rapid tiktiktiktiktiktiktik sound?).

Yep. That's what I'm hearing. I'd record a video, but I don't want to keep attempting to start it as that would flood the engine, right?

Next step would be the starter itself. Has the battery ever been replaced?

Nope, the battery is the original.

It sounds to me like the cell of the battery is completely dead. Unlike a normal dead battery, it can't be jumped off. I sense a new battery in your future.

Hmm I've never dealt with a dead battery in the past, so I don't know too much about "the signs." Do they normally just die so quickly or is there a way to see that a battery is starting to go? I know it's easier with a rechargeable battery because you can notice them not last as long, but since we don't actively charge our car batteries (the alternator does), we can't really tell that way.

Hmm maybe I can get a friend to bring me to Wal-Mart to pick up a battery... I think it's the closest store that has 'em.

EDIT:

One thing I did notice is that when the guy came out to jump the battery, there was never a spark when he touched the leads. Is that normal?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

You could pick up a battery hydrometer for about $5 at your local auto parts store.

 

[ProchargeMe]

Yep. That's what I'm hearing. I'd record a video, but I don't want to keep attempting to start it as that would flood the engine, right?



Nope, the battery is the original.



Hmm I've never dealt with a dead battery in the past, so I don't know too much about "the signs." Do they normally just die so quickly or is there a way to see that a battery is starting to go? I know it's easier with a rechargeable battery because you can notice them not last as long, but since we don't actively charge our car batteries (the alternator does), we can't really tell that way.

Hmm maybe I can get a friend to bring me to Wal-Mart to pick up a battery... I think it's the closest store that has 'em.

EDIT:

One thing I did notice is that when the guy came out to jump the battery, there was never a spark when he touched the leads. Is that normal?

A dead battery that's dead because you leave the lights on or something will sometimes try to turn over, but a battery with a dead cell will just tiktiktiktik and the lights on the dash might flicker but that's all.

 

[Aikouka]

I saw a video that says that I can test the voltage with a multimeter, which I have. There's not an issue with doing that... is there?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I saw a video that says that I can test the voltage with a multimeter, which I have. There's not an issue with doing that... is there?

The multimeter will only tell you if the battery has a charge not, if it will hold one.

 

[olds]

Dead/low battery
Loose/corroded battery cable(s)
Loose/corroded cable to starter

 

[lakedude]

With your battery being 5 years old that is your most likely suspect, however a jump should have worked even with a dead battery.

Next thing to try is jumping with the old battery out of the circuit (disconnect one lead) so the old battery can't drag the new battery down. Or just slap in a new battery if you have one available to borrow. Really at 5 years you might just want to buy a battery anyhow, even if it turns out not to be the problem.

A bad connection would be my next guess. This is fairly likely, especially since the jump didn't work.

It could be the starter or the starting solenoid.

Do you know how to jump around your starting solenoid?

 

[Aikouka]

The multimeter will only tell you if the battery has a charge not, if it will hold one.

The video that I saw mentioned checking the battery's voltage while the car is cranking.

My voltage while sitting there is 12, but when cranking, it drops to 8.

EDIT:

Do you know how to jump around your starting solenoid?

I think I've done this once before, but I don't remember much about it. I know that my dad and I tested a starter many years ago, and I assume that what you're talking about is similar. However, I'm not even sure where the starter is on my car. :$

 

[brianmanahan]

it's fallin apart

i was late for work and the boss got smart

 

[jlee]

My bet is still on the battery - you could also try cleaning the terminals (the connections where the two wires clamp onto the battery). 5 years, though, I'd just throw a new one in. It'll likely fix your problem.

 

[Aikouka]

It was the battery after all. Had a friend take me to Advance, and they tested the battery and found that it was bad. Put the new one in and she started up without a problem. I'm just glad that my baby's back! :awe:

 

[ProchargeMe]

It was the battery after all. Had a friend take me to Advance, and they tested the battery and found that it was bad. Put the new one in and she started up without a problem. I'm just glad that my baby's back! :awe:

:thumbup:

 

[BUTCH1]

it's fallin apart

i was late for work and the boss got smart

You should stay out of the garage, your combined automotive knowledge could fit in a teaspoon.

 

[olds]

You should stay out of the garage, your combined automotive knowledge could fit in a teaspoon.

Fixed

 

[BUTCH1]

Fixed

LOL, thanks!..

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

If your getting 12.3-ish volts with your mulitmeter then your battery is still good.

 

[Pulsar]

If your getting 12.3-ish volts with your mulitmeter then your battery is still good.

When? While cranking? While not cranking? Batteries with faulty cells will charge, the chargers will be happy, but because of the dead cell they will show the correct voltage UNTIL you try to draw current from them.

Your blanket statement is neither accurate, nor precise, nor correct.

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

Its worked every time for me. I walk out to my car, if it reads 12.3V then it starts my car, if not then it wont. I'm talking about over 50 car batteries that I've used this method with..

 

[Aikouka]

Well, your method failed with my battery.

I've now got some weird issues since I replaced my battery. A bunch of small things like how my automatic windows work fine... except for automatic up (automatic down works). Also, my TPMS light blinks for a minute and then goes solid the entire time. I've been trying to do some Google searches to see what's wrong, but I'm not finding anything definitive. I'm pretty certain that my tire pressure is fine (given it was prior to the battery going), but I haven't had a chance to check it yet.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Its worked every time for me. I walk out to my car, if it reads 12.3V then it starts my car, if not then it wont. I'm talking about over 50 car batteries that I've used this method with..

Yeah, my wife's Lexus read 12+ V at rest but dropped to 5.6V when my son tried to crank it over in our garage.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Well, your method failed with my battery.

I've now got some weird issues since I replaced my battery. A bunch of small things like how my automatic windows work fine... except for automatic up (automatic down works). Also, my TPMS light blinks for a minute and then goes solid the entire time. I've been trying to do some Google searches to see what's wrong, but I'm not finding anything definitive. I'm pretty certain that my tire pressure is fine (given it was prior to the battery going), but I haven't had a chance to check it yet.

My sunroof doesn't work after replacing the battery. I have to reset it which is easy to do but I have to remember to do it.

 

[LTC8K6]

Well, your method failed with my battery.

I've now got some weird issues since I replaced my battery. A bunch of small things like how my automatic windows work fine... except for automatic up (automatic down works). Also, my TPMS light blinks for a minute and then goes solid the entire time. I've been trying to do some Google searches to see what's wrong, but I'm not finding anything definitive. I'm pretty certain that my tire pressure is fine (given it was prior to the battery going), but I haven't had a chance to check it yet.

Yes, you have to reset a few things when you disconnect the battery. They will most likely be covered in the owner's manual.