Car won't start sometimes and it won't drive like it's in drive sometimes.

RSEAN4197

MEMBER
2004 NISSAN MAXIMA
112,000 MILES

My 2004 Nissan Maxima won't start up without trouble, unless my foot is on the brake when starting. If I don't keep my foot on the brake pedal when starting it, mI have trouble getting it to start, have to turn it off and try again a few times. And when it does finally start like that without the foot on the brake pedal, it usually cuts off on me, sometimes right a way or after I have driven it somewhere. And it usally will move slow like it's not in Drive gear, but like I said it is only doing that when I don't try starting it with my foot on the brake pedal. I took it to my mechanic and the computer said that the crank shaft sensor needed replacing. Replaced the sensor and it's still the same, any ideas what could be wrong?

Sunday, July 15th, 2012 AT 7:11 PM

2 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,796 POSTS

Did you have an acutal diag or a free code pull? A computer will show a code for the crank sensor but cannot tell you it is bad.

There are issues with the sensor but the entire circuit must be tested before condeming the sensor.

Roy

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Sunday, July 15th, 2012 AT 7:14 PM

FPHILLIPS

MEMBER
1 POST

Rsean4197. My wife drives a 2004 Maxima and we just had the transmission replaced at 100,000 miles. Felt like someone was hitting us from behind. Anyway, her car wouldn't start, so I had the battery replaced and it still would not start. I read your comment and tried it and it worked! But the funny thing is is that her car had been out the shop for 4 days and it cranked without putting the foot on the brake and then all of a sudden? Wow

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Monday, August 6th, 2012 AT 7:40 PM