Check engine light is on/ car won't start

Tiny
JAZZII2008
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 78,000 MILES
Yesterday while driving my check engine light came on. After stopping at my house for a couple of minutes I tried to start my car but it would not start; only crank over. I decided to wait for a couple of hours to try it again and my car started with no problems. I decided to test it out again today and sure enough when I turned off my car and tried to start it back up it would crank over, but would not start. I have to wait awhile in order for my car to start up again. What could be the problem?
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Monday, June 17th, 2013 AT 12:45 PM

21 Replies

Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Have codes read see what caused MIL to come on. The cause of the check engine light is most likely your no start issue

Read this guide it will help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start
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Monday, June 17th, 2013 AT 12:50 PM
Tiny
MYALTIMA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • AUTOMATIC
My 2005 Altima(2.5)is displaying "Service Engine Soon" light for two days now. Three weeks ago I had the brakes and rotors fixed. After that, I noticed the car was a little shaky at times while driving. I've also noticed a burning rubber smell. I took it to an EZ Lube two weeks ago to have the oil changed, and they sugguested that I have the transmission fluid changed and a new cabin air filter. These are the codes they gave me today when I took the car in to have it checked out: P1273 & P0301. What do they mean? Thanks in advance.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
P1273 (bank 1 sensor 1 lean)and P0301 misfire at cylinder no.1
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SLARNARD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 120,000 MILES
Any Advice to what might tie all of these issues together so we can fix the real problem, not just the symptoms? I have had my 2005 altima se 6 cyl in the garage 5 times in the last 2 weeks for a grand total of 2200$. I picked it today and nearly immediately the check engine light came on. The original issue was the ipdm and fuel pump. They were replaced and the next day we were back for a check engine light which showed a misfire in one cylinder, the ignition coil was replace.

The next 4 times were all for misfires as well. At this point half of the spark plugs, all of the ignition coils and some gasket have been fixed. The new code is throwing for the catalytic converter! The car is shaking which the mechanic says may just be worn engine mounts. But on top of all of this there are minor issues we have just been dealing with such as dead shift solenoid, and no interior lights which no mechanic or dealer has ever been able to figure out! I am at my wit's end and need some help!
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
It sounds like you have a lot of issues.
The engine mounts are notorious for failing as they are bags filled with oil and they have a pump that makes them stiffer as the car goes faster. Once one fails the extra load on the others makes them fail. So, you MUST replace all of them including the transmission mount at the same time. I would recommend changing over to some aftermarket poly-urethane mount inserts of full poly mounts.

I have not seen a supplier for inserts but I believe www. Innovativemounts. Com can make you a set for cheaper than the stock ones as the stock ones are several hundred dollars for a set, over $ 500+. You might have to tell innovative mounts that they have the mount specs even though they don't keep them in stock. I know this because they took a set of stock mounts from me and made me a set of mounts back in 2004.

So, you might mention that. Otherwise look around the internet for poly=urethane motor mount inserts or poly-urethane motor mounts if you don't have success at innovative mounts. It has been a while but they should still have the specs as it costs a lot to make the drawings and program for the CAD machine to make them. They will last forever and you are incredibly lucky to have yours last this long and they probably failed long ago and the motor has been moving around. Possibly doing things like damaging the converters which there are four of I believe. They are to cheap and I would go to a muffler shop first and see if you can find an exhaust leak near one of the converters and have it welded. That does not mean the converter is not bad, it is just something you should look for first.

The interior lights are probably not working because of a bad door switch which turns on the lights when the door is open or the security/key fob light timer function box which turns on the lights when the key fob is pushed to turn on the lights when unlocked or the timer function which turns off the interior lights after the car is locked. That is a tough one to figure out if it does not throw a code. The door switches can be checked pretty easily and are cheap to replace. The interior light control box that works with the key fob is probably expensive and getting one from a salvage yard is probably the best bet.

One of the best information sources you can go to for these and other issues is an Nissan enthusiast, or Altima, forum. I used to go to www. Altimas. Net I do not know if it is still around but if you search I am sure there is one somewhere. The best thing about enthusiast forums is that it is owners who love their cars and usually fix them themselves and have dealt with issues like yours. They are willing to help if you join and post your question or you can search their archived Q&A.

The tranny solenoid is just another unfortunate issue. If you have not changed the transmission guild every 60,000 miles, that is probably the reason that has happened. All manufacturers recommend services in the schedule need to be followed or things will happen. I can't tell you how many customers who change their oil without fail but do not change their anti-freeze have had to rebuild there engine form problems with the anti-freeze not being changed whether they are in a cold climate or not.

I hope this helps out. Sometimes things do pile up all at once like that. The best thing is to do preventative maintenance, although most of your issues are not related to maintenance issues. If you keep the car after putting money into it to fix these items make sure you follow the manufacturer maintenance schedule and it will save you money and headaches down the road.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHJONB
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 113,000 MILES
I got a nissan 2005 altima 2.5s.A service sngine soon light came on and the code was p0355, p0725 when it was checked. Can you tell me what this means and what I should do about it. My car normally turns on without a hitch, now it takes 2 turns of the key for the engine to come on. Is this an issue?
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-1
Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
Hello,

This code is caused by faulty spark plugs nine tens out of ten here is a guide to help you tune the engine up and clean the throttle bore.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-tune-up-a-car-engine

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

Please run down these guides and report back

Cheers
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GBBERN12
  • MEMBER
  • 0 POST
I had this problem with my car and found this post thank god fix me right up thanks!
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SOLEXA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
So here is the deal. I have a 2002 Altima 2.5, 150K, that had excessive oil consumption, low compression in two cylinders and basically ran like C***. I just dropped in a 2006 engine, 14k miles where the only issue was that it's California emission. I replaced both Cats, and all 3 O2 sensors. I just picked it up today and after running it for a 1/2 hour, the check engine light came on. My fear is that I have a California emission engine with Federal Emission cats. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? In talking to the people where I purchased the engine they told me I should be fine with this setup since my ECU was based on the federal emissions. So what is different between a California emission engine and a federal one, if anything. Just dropped $2500 on this entire repair and feel like I am back to square one.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Hi solexa,

Thank you for the donation.

Did you retrieve the trouble code for the MIL showing?

If the harness and ECU was not replaced, there should be no difference and the MIL could be for something out of adjustment or not correctly installed.

Get the trouble code so that we can understand the problem better. Try Autozone, they provide free scanning if you do not have a scanner.

I need the exact DTC, not just the description.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SOLEXA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Ok, Here is what I found out. Code is PO507

Idle speed control system RPM higher than expected.

Probable cause.

1. Large Vacuum leak

2. Engine mechanical condition

3. Electric throttle control actuator fault.

The engine is a 06 with 14k miles so I would hope it's not #2. Your thoughts?
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Hi there,

I believe the more likely problem would be vacumn leakages.

Here is a description and diagnostic procedures.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/192750_DTCP0506P0507_02Altima_1.jpg

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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
REVILOF
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2000 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 79,700 MILES
The service engine soon light is on on my 2000 nissan altima for over a month now. First I thought it was just a loose gas cap, but it's not. Took it to autozone to check the computer thing, they told me I my catalytic converter needs to be changed. And i''ve been calling some auto repair shop for quotes. They said I might spend a lot coz cars has many catalytic converters to check. Is this true? I'm looking for cheaper quotes coz i'm on a very tight budget.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,383 POSTS
Please repost with the fault code the car is showing. The cat may not need to be replaced at all. We need the code to diagnose the fault !
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
REVILOF
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hi Dave,

I will go back to autozone and check again the code and will get back to you. Thank you so much for the reply, I really appreciate it. Thats a good news if I dont have to change the cat. Thanks again.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
REVILOF
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hi Dave,
Thanks again for the reply, The fault code that my car is showing is P0420, the guy from auto zone told me that the problem most probably is my cat con. He underlined BB4 which says failed bank 1 catalytic converter. Thank you so much again mr. Dave.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JILANY02
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA
I Have 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL auto transmission and FWD. It has 60,000 mileage on it. As soon as the oil change light was on I checked the oil and found engine oil is empty. I filled engine oil. Day after it when I was doing 4500 rmp or more at parking postion blue smokes starts to come out from the engine and the exhaust. And after that service engine soon light was on. When I start rolling the car it makes slight noise for 2-3 sec. No smokes comes out when I am driving or idling the car. Can you please tell me what could be wrong with the car.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
You better doublcheck the oil level, sounds like you put too much in! That can be as bad as no enough!
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JILANY02
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
If I remove excess engine oil will the service engine sign be off?
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AR07550
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA
Computer problem
2003 Nissan Altima 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

Hello,
My Nissan 2003 Altima has its "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" light on but it is running smoothly without any
problems whatsoever. What could my car be needing?
I already checked the gas cap to see if it was on tight and it is. What would need to be replaced or checked?
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 7:15 PM (Merged)

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