1993 Nissan Sentra PLEASE HELP MY CAR WON'T START

JUABREN

MEMBER
1993 NISSAN SENTRA
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
152,000 MILES

I have a problem starting my 1993 Nissan Sentra. I Just bought a new battery and replaced the water pump. I also replaced the oil filter, spark plugs, and spark plug wires as well as the oil. I can only start the car if I do it with jumping cables hooking it to another car. I Unplugged the battery while the car was on and it did not die; therefore, I know the alternator is working well.
There is something I just noticed recently if the car is on and I turn the light on, the car dies. What can the problem be? The car passed the smoke test last year without any problems.
Any suggestions, I will appreciate it
thanks,
Juan

4 Replies

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

Need to have charging system checked for sure
check alternator with and with out load
check battery and battery terminals
remove terminals clean and tighten

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Thursday, March 26th, 2009 AT 9:52 PM

JUABREN

MEMBER
3 POSTS

How do you check the charging system? And how do you check the alternartor with and with out load?

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Friday, March 27th, 2009 AT 10:52 AM

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

Need a volts meter
hooked up to the battery

with engine running battery volt should be 13.5 to 14.5 v
if not charging system at fault
charging system with load
with engine running
volt meter hooked to the battery
volts should not drop below 13volts
turn ON lights, wipers, radio rear defrost
if volts drop 13 and below
check charging system
need more let me know

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Friday, March 27th, 2009 AT 1:41 PM

JUABREN