Topic: 2002 Altima Start Problem

[calgary]

Hi, Everyone,

My 2002 Altima could not start in the morning. It happend twice in the last 15 days. Unless I shift to 'N' from 'P', then I did start it. Any thoughts on that?  

The car is still under warranty, what should I do with Nissan dealer?

Thanks

[mrthompson]

Sounds like the Neutral Safety Switch acting up.  I'd head to the dealer.

[calgary]

Hello, Mrthompson,

Thanks. But what's Neutral Safety Switch? Is it a serious problem?

[mrthompson]

This is a part found on all cars with automatic transmissions. It prevents the starter from engaging if the transmission is in any gear other than 'Park' or 'Neutral'. It also turns on the back-up lights when the transmission is shifted into "reverse". It can get out of adjustment or fail.  

Courtesy of http://mypage.direct.ca/k/kdomries/term.html

[calgary]

Thanks, Mrthompson

[barrie1]

Good Diagnosis Mr T as thats what I was thinking as well. Its not that big of a deal.

[cbreor]

Nope.  You're all wrong.  There's like 6 recalls on the damn 2002 Altima.  It's nothing nice.  Once your Altima starts acting up it's all downhill from there and nobody has a clue what's wrong with it.  Why do you think a car that looks that nice is so darn cheap?  
It won't last you past 40000k...after that it's like driving a 1975 Pinto.

[barrie1]

Welcome Cboer to the Forum, Please Tell Us what you know regarding this problem as it makes a lot of people Wonder on that product. Give Us Full Details Please.

[Mdxtasy]

How serious were these recalls?  

[pikacha10]

its nothing like driving a pinto, if you get rear ended its game over unless you get out of the fireball fast enough

you were probably better off with a honda accord. personally i dont like nissan because their not as reliable, or atleast thats what ive been told

either way the warrenty should cover it

[Smainville]

4 recalls affect the Altima to date

This could be the one:TC Recall #: 2003267  

On certain vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor may have an improper solder joint. This could cause the Service Engine Soon warning light to come on, create a no start condition, cause reduced engine power, or cause the engine to stop running without warning during vehicle operation. Correction: Dealer will replace the crank position sensors.

[calgary]

The correction of the car was done in February on the TC Recall#:2003267.

I drove the car to a Nissan dealer last week and told them the problem. However, they told me that they couldn't re-duplicate the no-start problem, so they did nothing about it. But instead, they recommended a flush-out of trans oil on the next services. The mileage is around 36K now. I'm a bit surprised about that. Is that normal to flush trans oil under this low mileage? How much does it cost?

Thanks

[barrie1]

That does seem a bit early unless you are driving a lot in very Dusty Dirty conditions. This will be the 4 spd auto with the overdrive which dirties up a lot faster then the 3 spd auto's. I would suspect the cost will be in the area of $75. to $150. for the flush and refill.

[calgary]

Thanks, Barrie1. Yes, the car is 4 spd auto. but I am not sure about the overdrive. Does it have a lot impact on the trans?

[barrie1]

Yes as the 4 spd trannies have an outside valve that draws air in and unfortunately a lot of dirt with it. Thats how they become comtaminated. The dirty fluid can do a lot of harm if not serviced correctly.

[articsteve]

Many small automatics should be changed @ 48,000 km.  Volvo 5 cyl is at 48,000km under normal conditions.

Nothing odd for you at 44,000 km.  Really extends life of tranny.  Most people never do it and tranny rebels about 200,000 km.

[maritime_storm]

And a lot never change it and can't figure out why the tranny died the day the powertrain warrantee expires. Rule of thumb is change the fluid every 2 years, it the same thing with coolant. God bless the few manufacturers who have had the sense to put a drain plug on the tranny pan, or in the case of Saturn, spin off filters as well. Fluids are cheap, major components aren't.Most people don't realize you should bleed the brake fluid on any car with ABS to avoid problems either.

[barrie1]

Since 1971 most radiators are made of pure copper and the anti-freeze will start turning to acid after about 2 years. You can imagine what happens inside the rad after that. Thats why you should change the anti-freeze every 2 years. Maritime is correct on the brake fluid as it can turn into a milkey white goo that will plug your brake system. Happened to a friend of mine 1980 Corvette after being parked all winter.  

[maritime_storm]

Actually the radiators in most new cars are made of aluminium usually with plastic tanks. That being said Barrie's right it doesn't take long for anti-freeze to become acidic, copper or aluminium both suffer from the deterioration, not to mention intake & head gaskets.

[tdiman]

I just got rid of my 1996 Nissan Altima. I had the same problem, not being able to start in park, only neutral. I am the original owner, since 1996. From 2000 until 3 weeks ago, it needed 32 visits for one problem or another. This year alone, i've spent $3500 CDN on repairs. Catalytic converter, and my second distributor in the life of the car.  

Just got rid of it yesterday. Good riddance says I.