I posted this on the Altima forum, but I figured I would look for some help here as well. My mother was stranded the other day at work and had to have her car towed to the dealer. She has been having a problem in the morning in which the car will crank but will not start. Some morning it will be fine and other times it wont start at all. Now I do know there is a service bulletin for no start conditions or excessive cranking. It points to a fuel pressure problem caused by a bad fuel pump. The problem is that the dealer is trying to say the injectors need to be cleaned (car has 75k miles) and that the starter is probably the issue. Now I do a lot of work on cars and know that the only thing the starter does is crank the motor over. So I don't see how a starter(that has no problem cranking the motor over) could be the case. So are the dealer just idiots? Is it probably the pump? Thanks everyone

Edit: It is a 2004 2.5

 

turn the car on to position 2 and let the fuel gauge read. then try starting it, this should prime the fuel pump so you might be able to diagnose the pump

 

Is the CEL light on? The 2.5 altimas are known for the crank position sensor to go bad. I believe there is a recall for this.

 

The crank sensor is a very likely cause.

Whoever told you it that it might be the starter is an idiot. Avoid speaking to him in future visits. If he's assigned to you, ask the service manager to speak to someone else (preferably a tech). I'll bet money it was a service advisor that said it was the starter causing the problem.

 

Check the blinker fluid

In case it's running low:
http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main...&products_id=6

 

No CEL's right now. She did before and had the crank sensor replaced. I actually did find a TSB that actually said the starter could be a cause if its cranking too much or not starting. It says to replace the starter and reprogram the ECU. So I am confused now. I have 2 TSB's with the same exact symptoms lol. Also, its kind of funny that I get more help on here then on the Altima forums.

 

I don't understand what the starter would have to do with the car not starting. The only function the starter has is to crank over the motor until the engine starts. It has NOTHING to do with your ignition or fuel delivery system.

 

Sounds as if it may be a fuel mapping problem. Is it only while the engine temperature is cold?

Terry

 

Next time it happens, check for fuel and spark. Then report back to us.

 

Thats what I said to! But check out nissans tsb

http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start...WU5mu_XVAJSC1g