Need car problem diagnoses

[houstondallas]

I have an 2009 Nissan Maxima that is now stuck in the garage and wont start.

A few days ago, I went out there to start it and it wouldnt turn over. It was sputter like it was trying and appeared to be not getting enough juice to start. It appeared like a bad battery.

I went and got a new battery for it, put it in, and it cranked up right away. Sounded great and all was good. I let it run for a minute or so then turned it off.

Last night, I go back out there to leave, after it had sat there for a day since putting in the new battery, and its sputtering again. It started for a brief few seconds then died. Now it just sputtered and clicks like its trying to start.

So in the end Im stuck with the car in the garage still and dont know what the issue is. Anyone have any ideas?


My guess from what Ive read is starter or alternator. I also dont know how to replace either of these so am going to have to find a mobile mechanic to come out and replace it for me.

[dcs13]

So, are you saying the battery is dead again ? If so, then something is staying on and killing it.. What's not stock on the electrical ?

[orphan Shelby]

Leave anything on? Sounds like a battery draw if it has the click clicks again

[houstondallas]

I dont think anything was left on. I guess i need to try jump starting it and see.

If it jump starts, then does that rule out the starter being bad? Anyway to test the alternator?

[Darren M]

Yes, and pull the ground off the battery while it's running. If it remains running then the alt is doing its job.
Just my 2¢. I'm no mechanic but that's what I'd do.

[habs4me]

Do Not disconnet the battery with the car running.

[dcs13]

Is there anything aftermarket that is electrical ? Did someone add an amp, a stereo, fog lights/ Anything not stock ?

[BlackGT]

My bet: you have a relay somewhere that is sticking and draining the battery...

[SSMAN]

Charge it, wait till dark an lay the rear seats down so u can see if the trunk light is on or not

[JC316]

Charge it, wait till dark an lay the rear seats down so u can see if the trunk light is on or not

Good advice. Also check the visor lights.

[4king]

See if it jump starts and report back. Make sure the terminals are tight and corrosion free

Where did you get the battery.

Nissan are also notorious for cam and crano sensor problems

[LaserSVT]

Sounds like a power drain. Dome light or stereo or something. The starting but sputtering makes me believe that the alt is failing. Get a molti-meter and after you jump it, pull the jump cables off and test the voltage at the battery. If when running its is below 13.7 than you have a dead alt. You can check to make sure the charge leed is tight and that the excitor plug is tight to be sure. Plus there is a main fuse under the hood for the alt and you want to make sure that is good too.

If there is easy access to the alt and you dont have good voltage at the battery you can connect the positive leed of the meter to the terminal on the alt and see if its is making 13.7+ volts. If it is than you have a blown fuseable link in the wire or the fuse in the fuse box has blown. Nissans like to do that when they sit for a bit and try to charge a bad battery.

[houstondallas]

I will try to jump this afternoon when I get home and report back. I appreciate all the help.

[kingjason]

You can also pull the ground or positive (help me out guys but I think its the hot wire) and run a test light between the terminal and the battery cable. If it has a draw it will light up just a little. Been a while but I have ran down a few shorts this way. If you get a light start pulling accessory fuses until it goes off and there is your bad circuit.

[chronical]

Sounds like a money pit. I'll give you $200 bucks and take it off your hands