my car wouldnt start...could be battery or something else??

25

Asked by Empress Mar 25, 2008 at 01:36 AM about the 2004 Nissan Sentra 1.8 S

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My car wouldnt start nor would it turn over. Tried to jump start it but it didnt work. It made this funny sound like when u put a playing card on the spoke of a bicycle. Also the SERVICE ENGINE SOON light was on when i started the car earlier that afternoon. Called AAA to see if they could figure out what was wrong. The AAA service guy said the battery was low and needed cleaning and for cable to be tightened. He also said before jump starting car, the red button (reset button) must be pressed for it to work. He successfully charged car. Told me to not stop and just go straight home. I arrived home and just barely in my driveway and the car just died. Am wondering if it is only a battery prob. The lights went off but then inside dash lights would flash on and off and I didnt have the key in ignition. That sound of the Card on the bike spoke became louder.  I noticed when i turned the lights for the car to off it would commence. But as I turned the light switch to on (the signal and headlights switch) it would come back on ..just keep rat a tatting. Finally we disconnected the cable to battery and it stopped. HELP!!! What do u think it is? last week, I had left my headlights on for an hour by mistake.  would that have any effect?? Could be it electrical or just about anythng?  Thx,
Cleo

4 Answers

14,105

sounds like your atarter is done, it is stuck (to constant ticking). But to be sure I would get the car towed to your mechanice and have him look at it. You will want to get the charging system "load tested" that will tell you if there is any other problems. best of luck

2 people found this helpful.
70

I had similar problem long time back. replacing starter solves the problem. Do not try to even start your car. Please replace it immediately. YOu do not have choice. THis bad starter will damage the tooth of fly wheel, that is too expensive to replace because of high labor cost. THey have to open everthing to reach and replace fly wheel.

2 people found this helpful.
4,515

I've been a mechanic for almost 15 years now, and it sounds likely that your alternator went full-field on you, and might have destroyed a few other parts on the way out. Does your car have keyless entry, or a factory/aftermarket alarm system?

3 people found this helpful.

No keyless entry and the car ran fine shut it off then started a couple times but down again

Your Answer:

Sentra

Looking for a Used Sentra in your area?

CarGurus has 40,169 nationwide Sentra listings starting at $602.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2004 Nissan Sentra

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Doran Harney
    Reputation
    2,980
  • #2
    L_R
    Reputation
    2,890
  • #3
    GuruLK5L9
    Reputation
    1,480
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Nissan Altima
1,221 Great Deals out of 36,154 listings starting at $900
Used Honda Civic
1,196 Great Deals out of 32,466 listings starting at $1,495
Used Toyota Corolla
1,560 Great Deals out of 24,175 listings starting at $995
Used Toyota Camry
1,986 Great Deals out of 40,108 listings starting at $1,550
Used Honda Accord
1,365 Great Deals out of 29,244 listings starting at $1,075
Used Hyundai Elantra
871 Great Deals out of 24,776 listings starting at $1,350
Used Nissan Maxima
268 Great Deals out of 3,532 listings starting at $1,995
Used Chevrolet Malibu
826 Great Deals out of 21,329 listings starting at $1,300
Used Mazda MAZDA3
442 Great Deals out of 11,967 listings starting at $1,495
Used Hyundai Sonata
810 Great Deals out of 16,837 listings starting at $611
Used Volkswagen Jetta
695 Great Deals out of 15,374 listings starting at $1,500

Used Cars for Sale

2024 Nissan Sentra For Sale
10 Great Deals out of 29,455 listings starting at $17,995
2023 Nissan Sentra For Sale
192 Great Deals out of 1,411 listings starting at $14,650
2022 Nissan Sentra For Sale
109 Great Deals out of 1,400 listings starting at $13,995
2021 Nissan Sentra For Sale
119 Great Deals out of 1,969 listings starting at $11,499
2020 Nissan Sentra For Sale
86 Great Deals out of 1,266 listings starting at $8,995

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.