Shut off while driving, will not start after towing the car with a strap

DLARA898

MEMBER
2004 NISSAN ALTIMA
2.5L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
190,000 MILES

So, I have this problem where my car won't start nor crank. My girlfriend was using it on the highway when out of nowhere it turned off on her and wouldn't start, but yet was still cranking at the time. We towed it to her house (10 minutes) and left it there for about two weeks until I came and towed it back to my house (1-hour 30-minutes) with strap and pulled home. She was towing it and I was in the inside the car. Out of nowhere the car revved up and the speedometer turned on while the key was off but car in neutral. I also heard the radio turn on as well. At last, I got it home and changed the crank sensor since it was the code I saw on the ECM. Now it won't crank, start, or anything but yet the battery is good, and radiator stays on as if it overheated. Any help?

5 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
43,446 POSTS

Yes, you can't tow a car with an automatic transmission with the drive wheels on the ground. The transmission could have problems now. Anyway, the first thing I would check is the main power leads which feed the various systems. Here is a guide on how to use a test light and the location of the fusible links and mega fuses:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Check out the diagrams (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

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Thursday, May 19th, 2022 AT 11:59 AM

DLARA898

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4 POSTS

So, I tested out all the wiring and main power leads and everything's seems to be lighting up and working. Any other ideas?

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Friday, May 20th, 2022 AT 8:12 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
43,446 POSTS

When you crank the engine over, do the light dim down and almost go out? I am wondering if the engine is locked up. Can you put a breaker bar on the front of the engine (balancer nut) to see if the engine turns? If so, let's test the starter to see if it is getting power. this guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Please run down this guide and report back.

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Saturday, May 21st, 2022 AT 9:53 AM

DLARA898

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Well, I just checked and engine does turn and I just replaced the starter with a brand new one and still nothing.

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Tuesday, May 24th, 2022 AT 5:24 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
43,446 POSTS

Okay, did you check to see if the starter was getting power to the trigger wire? if not let's check the fuse # 12 on the left side of the dash and link M under the hood. here is a guide and the fuse locations with the starter wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

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