2000 Nissan Altima Car stalling out

VANESSA32

MEMBER
2000 NISSAN ALTIMA
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
96,000 MILES

A month ago I had some general maintenance and suspension repairs done on my car.
When I picked up my car the next day, my service engine light came on, they did whatever and the light turned off. The next day it happened again. The fixed and then changed my thermostat because they notice it messed up. Two days later after eating dinner with my family we go to the car and it wouldn't start. It would crank like it wanted to start but nothing. None of the lights where dimmed and the radio was on. The car finally started after like 5mins. While on the highway the car started making a clicking noise and the car stalled out and turned off. It took a few minutes for the car to start but it did. This has been going on for a month. The shop that fixed my car has numerous possiblities what it can be but every day I talk to them they have something new to add that might causing the issue.
I have taken it to another shop and they told me the same thing. It can be a list of things from the fuel pump, ignition, coils, or even electrical and that will cost a lot.
One thing I have noticed is my car has the chip in the key and there is a security light that blinks when the key is in the ignition. At times the light would not be blinking and the car will not start. Other times while the key is in the ignition the security light will stay on (red light).
Can someone please help me figure out what can be the cause for my car stalling out, becuase no other mechanic is able to help me unless, I take the risk of paying for a fuel pump, then the issue continues and have to pay for another part and another part.

4 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi vanessa32,

That chip is the immobilizer key. If it starts flashing, I guess you need to check out the immo system.

If you have a spare key, use it and see if the problem happens. Reprogramming of the chip can be done only at the dealerships or distributors.

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Tuesday, June 10th, 2008 AT 3:09 PM

VANESSA32

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2 POSTS

KHLow2008-

If it's not the key. What else could it be.

The shop hooked the car up to the computer and no error codes were coming up.

Do you think I need a new fuel pump?

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Tuesday, June 10th, 2008 AT 3:39 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi vanessa32,

Sensor problems would show on the diagnostic but fuel pump and relay woulld not. So does some electrical

If it does not start, you need to check the fuel pressure at that moment.

Since you heard clicking noise before the engine turned off, I would suspect electrical, maybe the fuel pump relay.

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Wednesday, June 11th, 2008 AT 6:19 AM

MIROM2

MEMBER
15 POSTS

Hi, I have had a similar issue, took the car to a shop they replaced a bunch of parts that they said were definitely bad, but thats another story, they gave me a BS story each time they replaced something, and I am talking a reputible shop in town here, not some joe shmo, found the issue myself after doing some thinking, if you cannot start car, have someone else turn key for you and you listen from backseat with the larger half of the seat folded forward, the fuel pump is right below where the velcro connects the trunk carpet right below there, but to get to it back seat comes out, along with the round pressed metal surround under the plastic pieces there along with them. Anyways listen for the fuel pump as the other person turns key, you cant do this test yourself. If you hear nothing, its most likely it, try a few times, then get out and rock the car back and forth a couple times from side to side, at this point the wire which is half broken inside may align itself, try listening again, if you are able to start car, then get the sending unit or fuel pump harness kit, forget which it was, but the wire that is bad is the one that connects to top of the fuel tank seal and the other side to the fuel pump. I hope this saves a lot of headaches for everyone, and I can't believe that nissan doesnt even have this documented. Definite design flw, basically what happens is while driving the sending unit along with fuel pump are suspended by 2 fuel lines and this wire harness, and it, just like any piece of metal eventually partially breaks when folded back and forth a thousand times.I dont believe you can buy the cable itself, it comes as a part of the kit or sending unit, one connector is flat, other square with rounded corners, I believe around 80$ bucks at nissan dealer only. Good luck, let me know how it works out.
-Miro
if I find part # I will send it

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Monday, July 7th, 2008 AT 10:11 PM