2005 2.5s Hard Starting Problem

[jhong1226]

Has happened to my altima yesterday , took it about 6 to 7 times to crank. Parked overnight in a garage w/o heat and tmep was about 55-60 F, i was thinking its that cold soak problem but today with the same condition the car started fine. Talk to a dealer and they say they have to duplicate the problem first in order to fix it ( still has warranty on powertrain) , the only thing is that they charge $105 just for them to look at it and if they cant duplicate the problem they wont give the 105 back and wont fix it too. so everytime i will take it would cost 105 until they can duplicate the situation the only problem is that it is not everytime, the wife uses the car everyday for an hour trip to work and is worried that come winter it will leave her stranded at work because of this problem.:confused:

[jhong1226]

no dtc stored in the ecu. how do they test the problem without it having to sit overnight in a freezer?

[NissanTech]

Have you notice if the security light is ON when the hard start problem is occurring? If the light is ON, it means that the ECM is not recognizing the key, or something may be interfering with the system. Have your dealer check for codes in the ECM.

Another problem could be the fuel pump. The fuel pump supposes to hold pressure, when the engine is turn off, for the next start. If there is a leak in the system, the pump will loose the pressure and it will require a few cranks to build that pressure again. Have your dealer check for fuel pressure leaks.

[jhong1226]

it hasnt done it for almost a month now, dealer cant find any problem they said. they said they tested the car for everything and found nothing, asked them if they did fuel pressure test and told me it was all good. i just hope it wont happen again.

[jhong1226]

also i have been following an advice that i have read on the net about counting 3 sec before you crank the engine, also something about starting the car and quickly shutting it off and parking it overnight will drop the fuel pressure in the lines ( i do remember having done this the night before it happened, just remembered it after i have read about it). this might be the reason why it hasnt done it after the last one, im just hoping this will permanently avoid the problem come winter.

[ticket]

When this happened the first (and I guess the only) time, was the car hot?
I have a similar issue with my 2005 Altima 2.5, after I have been driving on the highway for few hours. It is difficult to start and requires me to pump the pedal several times while turning the ignition. The service engine light comes on also. After I get back in town, the starting problem goes away and a couple of days later the service engine light goes out. In particular, it has happened when I have driven a few hours and I stop for gas. I had the codes read and they were crankshaft position sensor and engine speed circuit. I find it strange though that they clear up around town, and are only an issue after driving several hours and stopping for gas. I am going to replace the gas cap before I do anything else because of issues I have read about with the gas caps and loss of vacuum in the fuel tank. If anyone has experience with this...pls share.

[mpe235]

Originally Posted by ticket

When this happened the first (and I guess the only) time, was the car hot?
I have a similar issue with my 2005 Altima 2.5, after I have been driving on the highway for few hours. It is difficult to start and requires me to pump the pedal several times while turning the ignition. The service engine light comes on also. After I get back in town, the starting problem goes away and a couple of days later the service engine light goes out. In particular, it has happened when I have driven a few hours and I stop for gas. I had the codes read and they were crankshaft position sensor and engine speed circuit. I find it strange though that they clear up around town, and are only an issue after driving several hours and stopping for gas. I am going to replace the gas cap before I do anything else because of issues I have read about with the gas caps and loss of vacuum in the fuel tank. If anyone has experience with this...pls share.

I have seen problems with oil leaking through the crank position sensors. Remove the connector and look inside. If you find oil you will need to clean it out and replace the sensor.

[pashka7169]

This problem will go away when your replace the alarm keys to your car. The problem is that it is interfereing with your cell phone. There is a recall on them so have it change ASAP and the problem would most likely go away.

[TodoZ]

Here is another thought.
Was the gas tank low on fuel when that occurs?
What you heard about waiting for 3-5 seconds before crank is right, especially in cold morning.
Fuel system works under pressure. When you leave the car in the night it's hot and in the morning it's cold. The pressure in the fuel tank drops (especially when gas is low - more air) and the pump needs time to compensate pressure.
Also try gas line antifreeze and maybe fuel injector cleaner. But fuel injector cleaner once on 3-4 full gas fills.
(Y)

[shant]

i love the random responses,

try this and see what happens, ingiton on position... wait. (let bulb check finsih) 2-10 sec, crank motor. should start first try

let us know if probem still occures. it is important to diagnose this properly that this test is consistant.

[bodyboarder]

hey
jhong1226
i had a problem with my 2003 altima some weeks ago... but it's never cold here, so i thought it'd be something else... and i was right... the key!!! yeah, the KEY. I read that a nissan micra had a problem with the anti-theft chip in the key... i was lucky it happened when i was at home, so i went for another key (the dealer gave 3 keys and 2 remotes) and the car starts excellent...

i tried starting the car with one key and with the other and i was able to realize that one of the the keys was causing the problem

[rdeverman]

My 2005 Altima 2.5s (33k) was sitting for less then 6 hours and I went to start it and had the hard starting problem. After it initially happened I waited a few seconds, tried to start it again, no dice. I waited another ten seconds, then pumped the gas peddal while trying to start and it bit. This is the first time it has happened to my car. After getting to my destination and trying to leave, its started like a champ.

A major note is that I was rear ended about two months ago. At that time, the gas tank was replaced as was the cap with a brand new part. I haven't had the system pressure tested. There was a half a tank of gas in the car.

Any suggestions as to what to do beyond the obvious (dealer, ECM check)?

[sergey85]

until the Nissan Specialist replies...whoever did the work should probably recheck the fuel parts, and form what u are saying its probably the fuel pump maybe, since u stated it started once u pressed the gas a lil.

[Boldchange]

Hello i just wanted to see does everyone have the same problem as me, i just got this car 2003 altima and it does not start up normal. One mechanic has told me to get front seals, another one has told me replace the fuel filter.

[mgherman]

My 2004 Altima 2.5 S (79 k) was sitting for 1 day and I went to start it and had the hard starting problem. After it initially happened I waited a few seconds, tried to start it again and it started very hard and white smoke came out on the exhaust. Any body has an ideea what would be the problem ? I have to mention that the check engine light is off.
Thanks in advance.

[juanitobebe]

Thanks, my altima was malfuntion. Obd code 507 and 335
i changed crank sensor, after, relearning the tps
is better now