Hey guys,

Having a slight problem as of lately with my 2000 Maxima; around a month ago I had got into a front end accident in which I went under a jeep liberty. This caused my hood to bend into an L shape and also crunch my AC Compressor, Alternator, Fan shroud, and Battery. In the proccess, my positive battery fuse had been snapped off also.

Currently, my car is (was) what I thought to be completely fixed except for the new paint until a day ago when I was at a convenience store and I went to turn my car on and it did not even turn over. Popped the hood to take a look, played with the positive line a little and it seemed to be loose so I tightened the bolt and off I went. Later that night I went to drive my buddy home and the same had happened, popped the hood to look again yet it wasn't loose and neither was the negative.

This morning I took a look unbolted both positive and negative cables then proceeded to reattach them, got nothing. Hooked up the good ole jumper cables, and still got nothing. And by nothing I mean the courtesy lights seem very dim, headlights come on sometimes, but no turn over.

Anyone have any insight as to what might be wrong?

All input is appreciated! Moving into college this saturday so hoping to have everything worked out by then.

 

so during the accident the positive terminal was broken off by the hood I assume? If so that would mean the positive terminal grounded out to the hood which can cause all sorts of issues. It sounds like you have a wiring short somewhere, probably as a result of the accident but not necessarily related to the hood/battery issue. I would start by looking closely at all the wiring towards the front of the car to see if any of the looms appear damaged and go from there

 

The shock from the accident probably damaged the battery internally. Replace it.

 

If your lights are dim, that means there is very little power coming from the battery. It is probably a bad battery, but check the negative cable. Follow it down from the battery. It should connect to the chassis down below the battery. Does it and is it tight?

 

The only thing broken off was the battery fuse, and only the top of that was shaved so I grabbed a new one. I will surely take all of this into consideration once I'm home from work my Father also thinks its a wiring short, appreciate the help!

Battery was replaced after accident because the original had the top pushed right off of it from the hood.

Will check into this once I'm home, thank you!

 

Seems to be plenty of power in the battery, no dim lights right now it just won't crank when I turn the key and the power completely goes out when I turn it.

 

Either you have a bad starter that is drawing WAY TOO MUCH current or your battery is not as good as you think. A bad battery is much more likely. Your problem sounds too much like a battery problem

Do you know anyone that you could borrow their battery and try it in your car? That or take the battery and have it tested.