Topic: 98 Altima Starting Problem

[CSH]

I have a 98 Altima with 291000KM on it. I got it used in May with 286000K on it. So far so good.

About 15 days back the security system started going off without any reason (no attempts to break in/steal etc) So now i dont lock the car.

On Monday evening i accidentally locked the car and the battery was drained Tuesday morning. Tuesday evening i jumpstarted it and drove about 4 km back home. Today morning the car will not start again...

When i put the key in the ignition to the ON position but dont even try to turn the key to start it i can hear a continous clicking sound even when i am not trying to start it..

I bought this car for about 1500$ and dont want to spend a lot of money fixing it (new car next August), any clues as to what can be wrong and if i can diagonse some things myself.
Is there a way to disable the security system altogether

[PJungnitsch]

Did you put a charger on the battery? Just driving 4 km would not have charged it. The clicking sound is usually the starter solenoid not working at low voltage.

[articsteve]

When i put the key in the ignition to the ON position but dont even try to turn the key to start it i can hear a continous clicking sound even when i am not trying to start it..

Let's get this straight.  Key in slot, key turned to "ON", but not to "START" and you are getting the typical "low voltage solenoid clicking"     Never heard of that. 

Is there a way to disable the security system altogether

See what fuse it is one.  Pull it.

 bought this car for about 1500$ and dont want to spend a lot of money fixing it (new car next August), any clues as to what can be wrong and if i can diagonse some things myself.

What is the battery voltage?  You gotta know at least that much to move forward.  If you feel liking spending money without testing, replace the battery or buy a battery charger, but the battery may not be suitable for charging.

[CSH]

I will drive it for 10-15 kms and see if it fixes it. If not then i will measure the voltage and update.. thanks for your help..

[Juke1]

Without spending a fortune you could have an independant check the charging system, look for a draw, check the battery condition then go from there.

[CSH]

I didnt use the car through the holidays but yesterday evening i jumpstarted the car and drove 75kms (Guelph to Mississauga). Had dinner, after dinner prayed and the car started. Drove back again (another 75kms). The car started fine in the morning. So i am guessing everything is fine and the battery was just drained?
Another problem though. I drove the car for 150 kms but the engine did not heat up. The temperature gauge was near cool all the time (usually its between C (cool) and H (Hot). I know it works. Also it was a very cold drive as there was never really very hot air coming out from the blower. Any ideas as to why this is happening and how to resolve it?

[blur911]

I drove the car for 150 kms but the engine did not heat up. The temperature gauge was near cool all the time (usually its between C (cool) and H (Hot). I know it works. Also it was a very cold drive as there was never really very hot air coming out from the blower. Any ideas as to why this is happening and how to resolve it?

Check your coolant to see if it's up to snuff for the cold weather, might be slushing up. 
Likely though, the problem is with the thermostat sticking open.  It's supposed to maintain the proper temperature by opening and closing depending on temperature, if it sticks wide open there is too much cooling.  No idea how difficult they are to change on an Altima.

[Juke1]

Without spending a fortune you could have an independant check the charging system, look for a draw, check the battery condition, check the coolant, check for oil in the coolant, then go from there.

[bridgecity]

Coolant level may be low.  That'd be my first check, then what Blur911 suggests.

[CSH]

OK so i decided to take some time to do a complete coolant flush. This is my first DIY BTW.
So i got the car in the garage and go under to look for the drain plug. There is a plastic cover that has to be removed before i can reach the drain plug.  I was not able to remove two of the screws. I was just using a regular wrench and i found it very hard to turn the wrench with so little space below the car. Turning the wrench was also a problem. Can someone suggest some better tools to make my job easier the next time i try..

[articsteve]

Are talking about the drain plug in the rad?

Listen dude, forget the "flush".  Draining the rad is not a flush.  You stand a very good chance of breaking the plastic drain plug in the rad because of the vehicle's age.

You mentioned you just need this vehicle to last till August.  Don't mess with it.  Make sure the coolant is good for -30C.

If you are hell bent on changing some of the fluid, then pull off the lower rad hose at the rad.  Can't get into too much trouble there.  However, depending on motors, some systems need to be bled afterwards.

[maritime_storm]

Charge the battery completely, an alternator will not fully charge a battery and it's trying too will eventually kill the alternator.

[dash]

CSH,

I would first check your rad fluid anti-freeze mixture and level, if ok, next cheapest solution is to check thermostat (it s/b in a closed position when cold), if that's fine, then try flushing the system (but I agree with Artic-old rusted parts may cause more expense-there are flush kits available at CT which is basically an insert fitting for the upper rad hose allowing for the attachement of a garden hose), else, heater core could be blocked and that's expensive PITA.