Engine shut off and will not restart?

Tiny
ONLY1ME
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 169,000 MILES
I drove my car to the end of my driveway to the mailbox got out put letter in mailbox when I went to put my car in drive it shut off. I tried to start it and it wouldn't turn over. All my lights inside come on, my headlights come on, my horn doesn't work, and my brake lights work, and the A/C fan comes on. I had it towed to Nissan. They said it was the ECM that was repaired and still hasn't started. I tried to jump it nothing. My starter is good it was tested. Nissan doesn't Know, I took it to Goodyear thru said it's an electrical problem, but they don't know. I think it's the anti-theft security system. Can you please help me? I don't know what else to do and I am a single mom of five girls.
Saturday, November 5th, 2022 AT 11:15 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,320 POSTS
Hi,

Wow, five girls? You are busy. LOL Okay, is the security light staying on at all times? Do you hear anything when you turn the key? For example, do you hear a click?

I will need you to check a few things for me. First, confirm that fuse 33 in the under-hood fuse box is good. In addition to the fuse, make sure there is power to and from it.

Here is a link you may find helpful:

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

Next, see if it will start if you place the shifter in neutral. If that changes nothing, I need you to locate fuses 42 and 43 in the same fuse box and check them as well. Check for power too.

Last, there is a 250-amp fusible link mounted at the battery fusible link box. It is fusible link A. Inspect it to make sure it hasn't failed.

If they are good, you will need a helper to perform this test. At the starter, there will be a heavy gauge black wire with a red tracer. It should have battery voltage (12v) at all times. Confirm that. If it does, have a helper turn the key to the start position while you check the smaller gauge black wire with a white tracer for power. This wire should only have power when the key is in the start position.

If it doesn't, I suspect the intelligent power distribution center is faulty. The relays for the starter are integral to a printed circuit board and are not repairable.

Let me know what you find or if you have questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below for the fusible link location.

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Saturday, November 5th, 2022 AT 10:48 PM

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