Car wont start. Sometimes.

240

Asked by Epic_Eggnog Aug 01, 2017 at 12:40 AM about the 2000 Nissan Altima GXE

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Today I hopped in my car and I turned the key. It didn't make any noise or
anything. I tried to turn my headlights on to see if there was power to it and
they didn't light up to it. So I waited a few min as I had this problem in the
past. After a few min, I turned my key and it started. A min later I went ahead
and was driving when I took a left and my car died, then less than half a sec
later it starts up. I've never had it die while driving and don't want it to happen
again. I plugged an OBII scanner into it because I saw the "Maint required"
light go on for the split sec it died, but didn't have any error codes.
Also, this happened another time when I was at work some lady needed a
jump in her big SUV Yukon. So I jumped her and we did it while it was
raining. After that, I parked where I usually do. After work I try to get in my
car I turn my key and everything lights up and the engine starts to go. No
less than a second later the car lights go out and I try to turn the key and
nothing. no noise no nothing. I try to flash my lights but they seemed to be
dead. I called my Dad for a jump but 5 min after that I get back in my car to
see if the lights would turn on and they did. I turn the key and it started (this
happened before my car died while driving) any advice would be greatly
appreciated!

2 Answers

220

Make sure your wires aren't rubbing on your hot engine. It can cause a short. If you see nothing like that is happening it could be that the wire from your engine to your battery may have damage and is resting on metal. That would cause the shut offs to be so odd. See the reason I believe this to be so is because of how and when your car is shutting off. I hope this is your issue as its a simple solution.

1 people found this helpful.
Best Answer Mark helpful
20

Check your battery terminals. Even with a healthy battery, a loose/damaged battery terminal is garunteed to cause a problem starting your car.

2 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    3,270
  • #2
    GuruB42YD
    Reputation
    2,460
  • #3
    GuruSY3ZL
    Reputation
    2,380
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Honda Accord
55 Great Deals out of 995 listings starting at $2,000
Used Toyota Camry
60 Great Deals out of 1,072 listings starting at $3,995
Used Nissan Maxima
7 Great Deals out of 166 listings starting at $4,378
Used Nissan Sentra
65 Great Deals out of 1,744 listings starting at $1,995
Used Honda Civic
195 Great Deals out of 4,054 listings starting at $440
Used Toyota Corolla
151 Great Deals out of 2,438 listings starting at $4,295
Used Chevrolet Malibu
54 Great Deals out of 1,092 listings starting at $1,495
Used Hyundai Sonata
44 Great Deals out of 1,074 listings starting at $2,495
Used Hyundai Elantra
156 Great Deals out of 4,214 listings starting at $100
Used Ford Mustang
58 Great Deals out of 1,366 listings starting at $4,995
Used Ford F-150
309 Great Deals out of 13,933 listings starting at $1,712
Used Jeep Grand Cherokee
109 Great Deals out of 3,136 listings starting at $3,995

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.