Truck won't start, need advice

FLfinfan · 05-01-2008, 06:00 AM

2004 Titan SE CC 4x4,
32,000 miles

Got in truck today to go to work. Initial start attempt, engine was trying to crank but was doing it slower than normal. 2nd attmpt, no turn over, loud fast clicking sound from engine bay, all dash board lights flash really fast.
Waited a few minutes, tried again, same response.
Lights work inside and outside (can't tell how bright or dull, sun was up).
Horn sounds dull and at 1/2 power.
Checked engine bay, battery terminals have alittle corrosion on them but not enough to do this. Battery is fairly new summer 06. Has a 3 year full replacement warranty (Sears), so not worried if it's that. Could it be the alternator?
Had front shocks replaced last week, they (Sears) never opened the hood, could they have inadvertantly unpluged the alternator?
Any help you could provide would be a big help. Now I gotta figure out a way to move the Titan so I can get my other car out of the garage to use it. Drove with the GF to work, so I won't be doing anything till this afternoon.
To top it all off I wrenched my back at work (bad disk acts up every couple of years) so i don't know that I will be able to push the truck out of the way to get to my car inside the garage. Good thing I took tomorrow off to go see the doctor.

**bbomar** · 05-01-2008, 06:07 AM

Battery is more than likely dead.

tnbowhunter · 05-01-2008, 06:19 AM

Sounds like the battery is dead. Did you possibly leave the lights or the switch on? Been playing the radio for long periods of time without the motor running?

One way to find out if it's the alternator is to "boost" your truck, run it for several min. watch the charge gauge to see if it is charging, and see if it will crank by itself. If it starts the alternator is probably ok.

Also check to make sure the battery conections are clean and tight.

**Blackbeauty** · 05-01-2008, 06:19 AM

Buy a bicycle.......

Second on the battery. Take it to an Autozone or Advanced Autoparts and have it tested. They can also test your alternator, either on or off the vehicle. I'd suggest "on". But check out the battery first.

FLfinfan · 05-01-2008, 07:29 AM

I don't think I left anything on. I will clean the connections and I will try to jump start the truck when I get home. If it will start and I can take it to Sears they can do the same test as AutoZone right?
And if it's the battery they have to replace it. I also have an appt. at Nissan tomorrow for AC service check, so they could let me know whats up after I finish my doctor's appt.

**bbomar** · 05-01-2008, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLfinfan

I don't think I left anything on. I will try to jump start the truck when I get home. If it will start and i can take it to Sears they can do the same test as AutoZone right. And if it's the battery they have to replace it.

Sounds like a good idea!!

FLfinfan · 05-01-2008, 11:29 AM

Called Nissan dealer, service guy says they have not replaced an alternator yet on any Titans there. Forgot to ask about starters.

Brad_Titan · 05-01-2008, 11:29 AM

Yeah it sounds like the battery. You might want to check and see if it has acid still in it. I had a year old battery go dead on me in my old mazda6 on a trip to Pensacola and i got out and checked and by a whim i checked the acid level and it was empty in some cells. Added some water and she fired right up no problems since (course shes gone now and the Titan [Halle] sits in the driveway).

Edit: LOL bbomar that is a GREAT avatar with the opec thing

Clancy · 05-01-2008, 02:17 PM

Definitely the battery. I had the same thing and was convinced I had a short as my optima red top was less than a year old and my alternator was charging (according to Advanced Auto diagnostic machines). Finally replaced the battery and it’s been happy ever since.

The factory terminal suck btw – they are impossible to clean once the get corroded…

Blownbayou · 05-01-2008, 02:19 PM

Battery for sure.....

FLfinfan · 05-01-2008, 03:38 PM

Just hooked up a portable power supply to jump start the truck, and it fired right up. Drove around alittle (highway) and then parked back in the driveway. Turned her off and then started her a few times. After about 6 starts she started to get alittle weak. Will take the battery back to Sears. 3 years full replacement on the battery. If after a load test it will not hold a charge, new battery. Not even 2 years yet (7/12/08 will be 2 years).

The battery gauge readout on the dash was just a hair to the right of center, if that means anything.

Pops · 05-01-2008, 03:53 PM

2 years is not new for a battery unless it's along the lines of an Optima. 2 years is pretty much the norm battery life for me as it sounds like it is for you too.

FLfinfan · 05-02-2008, 07:36 AM

Cranked ok this morning, no prob. Still have my portable power supply in the truck just in case. Took it to Sears, they tested it, charged it for 1/2 hour and decided to just give me a new one. Still have alittle over a year of full replacement on the new one. Cleaned off the terminals and checked my alternator also. All is good. Thanks for the help.