Nissan Altima Starting Problems – A Detailed Look
The new Nissan Altimas are among several vehicles that have foregone conventional key ignition systems for a key fob approach with push-button start. On the one hand, it feels good to start a car with the push of a button. But there are many things that can go wrong with new features.
What can go wrong with the starter motor on the Nissan Altima?
To list some of the main problems in brief:
- The brake switch can come off
- The lights come on but the car won’t start
- The car does not respond to the key fob at all.
- The starter motor may fail
Below we will explain how the home button works, details about these problems, and how to fix them. Keep reading.
Push Button Starters with Key Fob
Key fob cars use wireless technology to save you time opening your car doors and starting the engine with your key. All you need is to have the key fob in your pocket and wireless technology will do the rest.
As useful as this solution can be, it introduces several new things that can go wrong, like dead key fob batteries, for example or the problems we describe below.
4 Common Starting Problems on the Nissan Altima
The brake switch may become loose
To start your car with the start button, you must press the brake. One of the most common reasons your car won’t start has to do with a loose brake switch. Your brakes will still work, but they will not signal to your starter that it is safe to start.
It is the simplest solution in the world. You don’t even need your toolbox. Press the switch back into place. This video will show you what to do.
The lights come on but the car won’t start
When the dashboard lights come on but your car won’t start, we can at least rule out a dead or faulty battery. In some cases, this problem may be the brake switch or your car may be blocking access to your key fob due to too much pressing of the start button.
Get out of the car, with the key fob in your pocket, then get back in. This will reset the system and allow you to try again. If nothing happens, continue troubleshooting.
The car does not respond to the key fob at all.
If absolutely nothing happens, no lights on the dashboard, no sounds, nothing, it could be the battery.
If you can put a new battery in and test it, you’ll know right away if that’s the problem.
The starter motor may fail
Sometimes the starter simply fails, and that’s it. If it’s not the battery, it’s not the brake switch, and it’s not the key fob, then maybe the only thing left to do is replace the starter.
Fortunately, replacing the starter is not the most difficult part. DIY solution if it’s still under warranty, you can save yourself some trouble by having the dealer perform the repairs.
