Nissan Mechanical Question?

[FJR1300Jeff]

2003 Nissan Pathfinder...had it since it was new...72,500miles never a problem. Always did regular maintenance on it.

The other day I left the lights on and drained the battery...had the battery checked and the alternator are good. BUT since then every time I start the car it takes several turns, NOT like like the usual one or two turns to start. Once it starts it runs find.

I'm trying to avoid getting hosed at the mechanic.... any suggestions on what to look at first? Do you think the battery getting drained has any relation?

Thanks For any suggestions...The car is Paid For and I would hate to trade it and get payments again, I was hoping to run this baby to 200,000 miles.

 

[Silent]

2003 Nissan Pathfinder...had it since it was new...72,500miles never a problem. Always did regular maintenance on it.
The other day I left the lights on and drained the battery...had the battery checked and the alternator are good. BUT since then every time I start the car it takes several turns, NOT like like the usual one or two turns to start. Once it starts it runs find.

I'm trying to avoid getting hosed at the mechanic.... any suggestions on what to look at first? Do you think the battery getting drained has any relation?

Thanks For any suggestions...The car is Paid For and I would hate to trade it and get payments again, I was hoping to run this baby to 200,000 miles.

Check your ground cables and make sure there tight first. A bad ground can make it harder to start a car. If your battery is less than say 3-5 years old, then it's probably fine. If it's over 5 years old then you may want to consider replacing it. If you leave a battery drained for extended periods, it can definatly dammage the battery.

 

[S76]

How long do you have to crank it before it starts? I would think 3 seconds would be a long time. Seems like half to a second would be normal.

And that motor will go 200K no problem.

 

[FJR1300Jeff]

How long do you have to crank it before it starts? I would think 3 seconds would be a long time. Seems like half to a second would be normal.
And that motor will go 200K no problem.

Looks like its back to normal again....maybe 2 seconds then Vorooommmm!!! Unless I'm mistaken don't these Pathfinders have platinum spark plugs that don't need to be changed until 100,000 miles? Also I still have the original radiator fluid in it......I live in Hot Florida so I'm not worried about freezing....any other reason I should change it?

Thanks Again

 

[Silent]

Antifreeze also inhibits corrosion in the cooling system.

 

[JR'SFJR]

If its the orginal battery, I would replace it. I don't know where you live, but here in hot Fl, you are on borrowed time after 4 yrs.

 

[DaSpyda]

Florida is an extreme driving environment. Change your coolant at least yearly.

A flush and fill will do wonders for cooling.

 

[HuskyRider]

Replace the battery soon. Your vehicle has what is known as CAN (communication area network) rely on a stable operating voltage. Anytime the voltage stays below 11.9 vdc for any length of time it reverts back to the perimeters that were written by an engineer behind a desk. Those work great for emissions, but not for the way most people drive their vehicles. It will re-learn in short order, but your battery suffered a heart attack by being discharged and will quit pumping electrons soon and leave you stranded.

 

[Moosehead]

Whenever the battery is disconnected your emission control system gets reset. Each system must run through a diagnostic based on factory preset criteria. It may take a few trips or a few weeks depending on your driving habits( short trips, highway etc.) for the ECM to readjust to all the new inputs.

 

[SkooterG]

Florida is an extreme driving environment. Change your coolant at least yearly.
A flush and fill will do wonders for cooling.

Many modern vehicles have an original OEM coolant fill that will last well past one year.

And a flush and fill wil do nothing for cooling. It will refresh your corrosion protection from old coolant.