Ok...so im 100mi from home, she sat for two days n went to start her this mornin n she cranked n cranked but didnt even try to catch. I have no tools/diagnostic equipment with me so i couldnt check much but i did smell gas after a few times cranking so it wasnt fuel pump battery was cranking it like crazy n its grounded at 4 pts to engine n chassis. Since i was pointing nose downhill i tried pop starting it n she sprang to life O_o so i drive it til it warms up, shut it off n it starts right up. I go to work n come out when engine is cold n it starts right up. Im thinkin the starter is original so ill have Oreillys test it tomorrow....

I need the car everyday this week n nxt n without my equipment id like to buy as few tools/parts as possible.....anyone w ideas?

 

Did it sound like a normal crank when it cranked but didn't start? Or was it weaker sounding? I was gonna say check your cam and crank sensors. I had a extended crank/no start issue, but when it finally just cranked and would not start, I tried rolling it down hill to pop it and it would not go...replaced my cam sensor and all is good. But i don't think that's your issue. Curious about if you had a weak sounding crank. When my starter went, it just clicked when i turned the key. Sometimes it would start though. Sometimes it would being to crank, then stop and I'd just get a click. Tap your starter with a hammer if it does it to you again. If it starts, then It's your starter.

 

See the starter spins fine....doesnt sound weak or slow at all. Sounds like a normal start (aside from it not catching) it also hasnt happened since so idk if it was from sitting for 2 days if that has something to do with it.....ill get the battery checked too

 

Well then, good luck!

 

Unlikely to be your starter. I had a similar problem, got worse over time (months), could always "roll start" it. Ended up being Crank Position Sensor (POS) between engine and tranny on bottom front driver's side. Sensor "resistance" tested fine, shop finally found problem with a scope. New sensor 2+ years ago; been fine ever since.

 

Not trying to offend you here but you said you were on a hill.....was the tank also low?

 

Lol its all good....no had 1/8th tank....i live on a hill about as steep as where it was parked an always park nose down....now before i tried pop starting i let the car roll down the block, made a right and the road was flat still cranked but no start...there was another hill ahead so i pushed it to the hill, hopped in and pop started it. Didnt even hesitate.

Ill check the pos crank sensor....i recently removed both crank sensors and the cam sensor n cleaned them. Car seemed to start better since the pos sensor was absolutely filthy and covered with metsl shavings

 

Yea it helps to be cleaned. You said you do have extra grounds? Have you tried grounding the starter directly to the frame? The engine bay grounds help but certainly do not help by leaps and bounds. Nothing beats a frame ground. You have checked the battery voltage Im assuming....A common problem most dont check is the spark plugs. I had a friend with a sentra and his car would crank and crank all day and he swore up and down it wasnt the plugs which was the first thing I suggested. Took it to Nissan....it needed new plugs

 

Plugs r ngk coppers less than 3 weeks old.....