rsk99se

Hi,

I've got a 99 SE (60k miles, automatic). For the
past week it's been turning over slower and slower
each morning when I start it.

This morning, I put the key in, and all I heard was some
clicking. (wouldn't start) The radio came on, the
lights, etc. No error lights in the dash.

I've been reading lot's of threads in the forum about
starter problems in '95 and '96 models, but I haven't
seen any problems mentioned for a '99. Before I replace
the starter, I figured I'd write in here for some
advice on diagnosing it further.

Any help is certainly appreciated!

rsk

T-One

How's your battery. Is it holding a charge?

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

Can you say DIE HARD?

rsk99se

Hi,

I think my battery is fine. How can I test it?

(I was thinking about replacing it before winter
anyway)

Thanks
rsk

Kashoggio

iTrader: (11)

you can take it to walmart and have it tested there.

iwannabmw

iTrader: (3)

If the car has been turning over slower and slower it's probably an electrical problem. I kinda doubt it's the battery, it shouldn't have failed that early, but you never know. I would lean more toward a charging problem with the alternator, especially with the fast detioriation. Wal-Mart should be able to check that for you 2 or Autozone will check both for free.

Rit

iTrader: (3)

years. i found it was cheaper to go with aftermarket than use to Nissan pro-rated warranty. I would definitly have the battery/charging system tested before getting a new starter. They don't usually go "slowly", it usually fails on the coldest night of the year, when you are farthest from home, and late on a Saturday night if you are alone ! Based upon the starter posts on the BBS, it sounds like Nissan figured out how to fix the more recent Gen-4 starter motors. The earlier ones ... thats another story. If if hasn't failed yet, it probably will tomorrow.

Sarah99GXE

My guess is for the alternator. I had the same problem in my 91. Slow starts then all of a sudden, clicking. Like someone else said, autozone or walmart should check it for free. good luck.

max808

1. check the water level on your battery. my 99gxe ran almost dry earlier this year. couldn't recover it, got a new battery. the original battery isn't very good.

2. check your alternator with a multimeter.

3. check your battery with a multimeter and see if it's holding the charge.

4. if it's slowly turning over it's probably not your starter.

tom_98se

iTrader: (2)

If the battery is going bad, which would account for the slower cranking and eventual clicking of the solenoid, wouldn't all the other electrical functions also be impaired? Check-engine light, flickering dash lights, dim headlights, slow/in-op door locks, missing radio presets, etc?

It's odd that everything is working except for the starter. Not that I'm an expert (although newbie doesn't automatically equal idiot), but the starter is where I would start looking first.

Good luck,
TOM

Neptune97

If the alternator fails, don't the dash indicator lights typically light up to let you know? I know they did on my 82 Datsun hatchback and my 89 Stanza wagon when the alternators went out in them. My vote is also the battery.

rsk99se

I finally broke down and called the service dept at the dealership, they said they were 99% sure it's the battery.

Sure enough, I took it down to the local NTB, and they tested it, it was really bad - 9.5V, 47CCA's. I popped the new battery in, and it was up and running immediately.

The one interesting bit I learned: The guy who sold me the battery told me I could test whether my alternator is working correctly by starting the car, and then carefully removing the wire from the negative terminal of the battery. If the car stops running, then the alternator is bad.

Thanks everyone for all your advice!!

KL99SEA

iTrader: (1)

Removing the negative terminal with the car running is soooooo bad for the alternator, it gives a voltage spike when re-attatched that can fry the regulator or other components. The proper way is with a digital voltmeter. Check voltage not running.....s/b 12.6v or so. Then start motor and check voltage again, you should see an increase up to 13volts plus. It is probably regulated to limit charging to like 14 volts or so unless you just fried the regulator pulling the negatve terminal. Voltage surges are bad for the ECU also, once you let the smoke out of these elecrical items it takes cash to have smoke re-installed. LOL