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Nissan Altima Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • timbitstimbits Member Posts: 1
    Hi,2001 atlima 2.5 serpentine belt (for a/c,power steer)suddenly shredded and I lost ++ green fluid(?steering or a/c fluid,I don,t know)Are these known to snap ,or am I looking at something more sinister Tim
  • ericlemonsterericlemonster Member Posts: 4
    how do i check my ECM/ECU codes?
  • helmutoehelmutoe Member Posts: 1
    I just had the motor of my 1996 Altima steam cleaned. When I took it home, a couple of hours later, the engine light on the control panel went on. The performance seems OK. Anybody have any idea as to the cause?
  • doyindoyin Member Posts: 22
    Fisrt,u'll have trouble reading your codes.97 is OBDII and 93 is not.Cant say for sure about trans problems tho.
  • desibhaidesibhai Member Posts: 3
    Hi,
    I own a altima 1995, the car would start but would stop after going some distance...I started opening the spark plug wires and checked to see if there were ignition....3 of them were ok , but the 4th one when i pulled the wire, ,there was lot of oil in it. I gues oil has gotton into the spark plug chamber......is this something i can fix...seems like u had the same probblem...can u advise how i fix this
    thanx
  • desibhaidesibhai Member Posts: 3
    Car would turn on ....but stop after some distance....when i pulled one of the spark plug wires, ,there was lot of oil in it...the other 3 wires were fine/.any idea what i shoud do ???. Car keeps stalling. last year they changed the distributor and sparplugs and the wires....

    thanx
  • ckg7310ckg7310 Member Posts: 1
    I just had the radiator replaced in my 2002 Altima which only has 45,000 miles on it. I originally took it to the dealership service dept and was just told I needed the radiator replaced. I then took it to my regular mechanic and was told that the epoxy used on the radiator had come loose and had clogged up the radiator and would have to have it replaced. Has anyone else experienced this problem?
  • rayfeurrayfeur Member Posts: 6
    My Nissan Altima 2002 stalls all the time, as soon as it hits 2500 RPM.
    Per the Hudson Nissan the problem is being caused by the DashBoard Circuits..
    (Unified Meter) according to the Service Manager, it controls the RPMS and
    transmission, it sound like BS to me. Can anyone with knowledge of this help
    me out.They want 600.00 plus labor to replace it... 'm leasing ,
    why should I have to pay.

    This is the last Nissan that I buy.

    Year/Make/Model: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA SE
    Body Style: Sedan 4 DR
    Engine Type: 3.5L V6 DOHC MPFI 24V
  • chillschills Member Posts: 1
    My gas gage is not ready correctly. When full it reads a 1/8 tank past the "F" mark. The needle seems to stick on the 1/4 full mark also. The only way to get the needle to drop past the 1/4 full mark is to shut the car off and restart and that does not always work either. Last night the needle read a 1/4 tank, I drove 10 miles shut the car off and when I got back in to leave the gas light was on!

    I already took it in and the dealer found no problems. Go figure!
  • k8ttyk8tty Member Posts: 3
    I have a 98 altima. The airbag light is on. Its not flashing, the light is steady. Will this procedure work as well?
  • k8ttyk8tty Member Posts: 3
    I have a 98 nissan altima. The antenna is broken. Is it best that I go to a Nissan dealer and replace it? Can I just go to an auto parts store like Pep Boys or Autozone and just get a replacement antenna mast. A friend said that its best to use genuine Nissan parts for the car, but I know its going to so much more expensive. Would I have any problems using a power antenna that I didnt get from NIssan?
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 0
    don't know, try it. there was a recall on the airbag system, at least for my 94. not sure what they did. you may need to do some research.
  • jennkajennka Member Posts: 3
    Oh my gosh!! This is the same story with my '97, any final solution?!!!
    Please Advise!
    -Jennifer
  • nissantech8yrnissantech8yr Member Posts: 18
    the noise is in the strut it needs to be replaced
  • nissantech8yrnissantech8yr Member Posts: 18
    it is a normal thing its the cooling fan inside the altenator
  • smogger914smogger914 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 94 nissan altima and the left rear and front right speakers don't work. The other two work fine. When i tried conneting a new speaker one of the ones that did not work it also did not work.
  • fizgig36fizgig36 Member Posts: 4
    My car didn't start again on Tuesday and of course it always happens after 5pm so I can't take it anywhere and than it starts up fine the next day. My mechanic has no clue what the problem is. I will tell him to check out the fuel pump. Thanks for your help!
  • roadmaproadmap Member Posts: 1
    I live in Tucson Arizona and I have having the same issues exactly for me now that the hot air is here it is happening more and more for extended periods of time. I have yet to be able to find the solution.
  • ddhamiltddhamilt Member Posts: 2
    The muffler on my Altima 97 has broken off from the exhaust pipe...I bought this Altima '97 used last year and it runs great.

    MEINEKE SAYS....
    Need to replace muffler and exhaust pipe both, because the flanges on the muffler and on the exhaust pipe are rusted together. The connection broke just behind the flange on the exhaust pipe. So the muffler is intact, Meineke claims that because it is fused together with the exhaust pipe flange that both pieces need to be replaced. Hmmm...

    Cost of muffler $157
    cost of exhaust pipe $138
    plus gaskets and labor charge of about $50
    TOTAL about $340

    Doesn't $340 seem too much for replacement of a muffler and exchaust pipe? Shouldn't the parts be cheaper? Is there serious markup going on here? Would I be able to order the parts online and have a local mechanic do it? I am in Queens, New York (NYC).

    I appreciate any help. Thanks.
  • dballdball Member Posts: 15
    I have a 2005 3.5 SL with 1400 miles on it. Since it had 10 miles on it, it has driven and ridden like a piece of junk. I tried to take it back but the dealer refused and said I had to bring it in for service. I called the GM of Reed Nissan in Orlando, FL 3 times only to be ignored. Called service manager, salesman and were ignored by them. Called Nissan NA and told my rep I wanted a new car. She had me take it to another dealer who could only manage to road force balance the tires and then proclaim there was nothing else to do. I had a continental tire dealer put 4 new contis on, then some Michelins. No help whatsoever. You can put a glass of water on the dash and there is a steady ripple vibration the whole time, at 40 and over. I drive a lot of rental cars in my job and these cheap American cars ride much better than this $30000 dollar Altima. I am lemon law-ing the car this week. How sad, I think it's either one or more of the wheels that are not round or the axles. Nissan refuses to stand behind their product and the dealers are a joke. Buyer beware!!!!
  • gsemikegsemike Member Posts: 2,282
    The diagnosis sounds right but the price sounds high. The days of the $99 complete exhaust are gone, but call around and get some ballpark estimates over the phone. Let the guy that you're talking to know your quote and see what he says.

    I'm from Queens as well and I go to the Great Bear on Queens and 51st Ave. I've only been there for services, not repairs, but they seem to do good work and are straight shooters.
  • purkey1purkey1 Member Posts: 1
    If you find a solution to this problem, I would like to know. 99 model with the same problem.
  • kdn8100kdn8100 Member Posts: 1
    My 98 Altima SE has recently begun to make a high-pitched humming noise while at idle (when the engine is not under load). Seems to emanate from the alternator area. It is intermittent, and seems to have no affect on anything electrical. Thoughts? My dad seems to think a bearing may be going out in the alternator.
  • ddhamiltddhamilt Member Posts: 2
    Thanks Mike.

    What kind of services have they done to your car at Great Bear? :D
  • altima2kaltima2k Member Posts: 1
    Hello, I have a 2000 Altima and recently the same problem happen to me. I experienced it twice. I called my dealer and he told me that he never heard of that problem before. I am glad to know that I am not the only one. By the way did you found the source of the problem?
  • gsemikegsemike Member Posts: 2,282
    My Alt's an 03 with 25k so I thankfully haven't had to start fixing things yet but I go to Great Bear for my scheduled maintenance and they also did a brake job for me. I hate going to the dealer for regular maintenance because they try to nickle and dime you to death with these ridiculous line items for "inspections". With these guys, I tell them to rotate the tires, change the oil and give it the once over, and I'm all set.
  • altima6altima6 Member Posts: 3
    Hi All -

    I've had my new 2005 Altima for about a month now and have noticed major noise with the sunroof. It almost sounds like the sunroof is shifting around when it is closed and I am driving. When open it sounds like something is being blown around inside the sunroof. Has anyone had issues with this? I took it to the dealer and he told me it was simple car shift. I find it very annoying. Looking to see if anyone had this problem and if it was resolved.

    Thanks.
  • dballdball Member Posts: 15
    I heard from a service Mgr while having my sunroof shade replaced that there is a big magnet up in there and sometimes that can cause a noise. I've been to six different dealers to get a wheel vibration taken care of and the sixth finally put some effort into fixing the car and resolved my problem. My best advice is to try a different dealer and if that's not an option, call 1-800-nissan1 and get after corporate. You have to really be insistent with these people or you'll just get the standard Nissan line, "it's operating withing design tolerance."
  • dballdball Member Posts: 15
    service mgr at Reed got the problem fixed for me. I erred in my original message as I did not try to contact the service mgr at reed, but I did try to contact the others noted in the original. I can't believe it's fixed! It's a miracle! I'm miffed that the other Central FL dealer couldn't check and adjust the steering, like Reed did. The only thing the other dealer said they could do was balance the tires. Well, after three sets of tires and eight balances, you'd think they might have come up with something else!!! Thank you Fred at Reed Nissan for trouble-shooting to resolution and not being a typical dealer!!!!
  • gdavis1gdavis1 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 1995 Altima and have had a similar problem since I bought it in 1996. The reason for my car's problem is that there is a poor electrical contact when the car is in Park. The engine does not know car is in Park, so it won't start. The fix for my car is to push/jiggle the gear shifter (for automatic transmission) towards the engine. If you have the same problem, there's a good chance moving the shifter around will establish the needed electrical contact and the car can be started. I took my car to the dealer soon after I bought the car and they said it has to "not work" for them to fix it. However, the problem occurs only every 10-15 starts. So, for 120,000 miles, I've just been pushing the shifter to re-establish the electrical contact and start the car.

    gdavis1
  • lwh723lwh723 Member Posts: 1
    Hey,

    I'm having the same problem with my '97 Altima: rought idle and the code is saying cylinder 4 misfire. Did you find a solution for the problem?

    Thanks.
  • big_guybig_guy Member Posts: 372
    I just leased a 2005 Altima and noticed the same thing regarding the gas gauge. I was traveling home from work with the gas guage reading about 1/4 tank. I got home, shut-off the car, went inside, got a phone call that I needed to pick up my kids, started back up the car and the re-fuel light was on. After I had driven about 1/2 a mile, the guage had slowly moved back up to just under 1/4 tank. When I filled the gas tank, it only took 12.5 gallons. If I am not mistaken, the Altima is supposed to have a 20 gallon gas tank. I doubt the refuel light is supposed to come on with 7.5 gallons of gas still in the tank! I seems that the fuel level indicator has a problem with fuel levels at 1/4 tank or lower. Has anyone else observed this same condition? Any input?

    I also noticed a bit of a jerk in the transmission between first and second gear. I am going to be taking my car in to have them check on this but wanted some input before I have them take a look at it ... I hate the classic response from the dealer technicians. "We can't duplicate the problem so therefore there is no problem." Any insight to anyone having simliar issues would be appreciated.
  • ediamiamediamiam Member Posts: 17
    They still put neutral safety switches in cars? Drove an old Datsun back when, that had that intermittant problem. A mechanic diagnosed it as a bad neutral safety switch, replaced it, and problem gone.
  • gsemikegsemike Member Posts: 2,282
    After 2 1/2 years with my Alt, I've found that the car has a very large reserve. The advertised fuel capacity is 20 gallons, but it normally only takes 16 when the needle first hits E. I also find that the guage is sensitive to the angles that the car is on and the gas swishing around the tank.

    I've seen the DTE indicator go from 40 to 0 and back to 40 when I hit an incline. I've never pushed it to the limit like Kramer did in that one episode, but I've ridden E for a while and then put a little over 17 gallons into it. Even then, there was no coughing to make me believe that it was getting close to really empty.
  • tucctucc Member Posts: 1
    I have a '02 Altima 3.5 SE. I purchased it new in '02 and have 57k miles on it with no issues what so ever, until now that is. Last month while putting my foot in it and passing another car on the highway my car lost power suddenly and the ‘check engine’, ‘slip’, and ‘traction control disabled’ lights came on. After that the car would not go over 2400 rpm. I took the car to a specialist and after running a few diagnostics he said it was the mass air meter (MAF). It took him a couple days to get the part in (Nissan Manufactured part) and he said that it was hard to get. That fixed the problem. My car ran like a top for about a week. Then I noticed gradual loss of power and then it popped again. My specialist replaced the mass air meter again, but this time he said that there is an abundance of replacement parts out on the market now. I am in my second week and it fills like my car is losing power again. I have since called the dealer to see if they have any other reported cases and they said that it is very rare to have to replace this part.

    Something else has to be going on to affect this part from going bad. Something is not adding up. Is anyone else experiencing this issue?
  • lsuboi85lsuboi85 Member Posts: 2
    I got my '02 Altima 3.5 SE in August, and I am due for new tires very soon as my front 2 are bald. So I started looking on websites for tire prices. I was absolutely shocked to find that the tires that every site is telling me fit my car are about $170 a piece!! :surprise: That is absolutely ridiculous! Has anyone else on here found tires that will fit this car for cheaper? I really dont feel like paying this much for factory tires!! Help! Also, does anyone know WHY Nissan would put such expensive wheels on their mid-level car?! Thanks!
  • ediamiamediamiam Member Posts: 17
    The 3.5 SE is more than just a mid-level car. You bought the performance model w/ the big engine, which comes w/ a handling package, and if I remember correctly also has 17" wheels, taking a very sticky tire which is probably V rated. Thats where your cost is coming from - high performance tires. If you stuck w/ the 4 cyl w/ the 16" wheels, tires would probably be much less than $100.
  • randito23randito23 Member Posts: 1
    I have 1996 NISSAN ALTIMA GXE i never have a trouble
    I was using mobil super and then i change to normal gasoline, then after few months get the Engine light On.
    get the check Engine ligth two code came out;po138 rear heated oxygen sensor and po325 the knock sensor. my quetions is from change super gasoline to normal gasoline is that why maybe damage the function of the Engine, and can i replaced myself the knock sensor i know where it is but i need help to get it loose what do i need removed some parts from the top engine or under the car. the knock sensor it so tigth not much space into for play off the nut. if any one has replaced the knock sensor please tell me the best way to do it.....thanks you for read this letter.
  • rayfeurrayfeur Member Posts: 6
    found out what's causing my car to stall out... the computer is going into fail safe mode... Safe Mode.. read below ..

    A reputable FIRESTONE manager help me out... and reset my vechicle computer therefore removing the bad codes. Now I can drive my car on the highway.

    Hudson Nissan did the same twice, but they never told me what they did. This tactic is to milk more money out of me.. the first reset I drove my car for 2 months no problems.
    the last reset lasted 1 month,,, :sick:

    http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/a/aa031101a.htm

    In the case of a sensor malfunction, the computer may go into a "fail safe" or "limp in" mode. For example, the Crank Angle Sensor dies and no longer sends a signal to the computer. The computer sees the signal is missing and notes the malfunction code and turns on the check engine light. Now lacking that CAS, signal it goes to the base values stored in the computer and uses that value to control the ignition timing. It's not perfect, but it doesn't leave you stranded on the side of the road. Quite often the computer limits engine RPM to about 2500 RPM to prevent any possible engine damage and further alert the driver to a problem.
  • rayfeurrayfeur Member Posts: 6
    I put this info to help other Nissan owners out... I wish someone woul have done the same for me, after spending 1000.00 's I found the true problem with my car :sick: :lemon:
  • lsuboi85lsuboi85 Member Posts: 2
    ediamiam: Yes, trust me, I realize the car has a big engine in it, and I love it. I was just taken back by the price on the tires. It may have the sport package and all that stuff, but it's still an Altima, lol! I was able to find them for $100 on the dot including istallation through a friend. I guess thats better than $170. Even for that price though, I would still get the 3.5SE over "sticking" with the 2.5 ANY day. LOVE my car. Thanks for the explanation though!
  • krisaltimakrisaltima Member Posts: 1
    Hi Everyone,

    I had recently a problem with my Nissan Altima SE 1995 /automatic/- the alternator light and Brakes light at the dashboard from time to time were flashing / especially evenings, when many consumers of electricity were used - A/C, wipers, lights, blower fan / and failed to go off. Did anyone had the problem like that? Did he/she find a solution for that?

    Thank you very much for your help!
    Kristian :) :lemon:
  • sworn2prtcsworn2prtc Member Posts: 1
    it's kind of a pain in the butt I had to take mine to the shop once I got the strut assembly off. You need special tool to get the nut off. You need a big allen wrench to take it off.
  • support02support02 Member Posts: 1
    I have the same problem! I took the car to the dealer today, and they kind of lauged at me! They test drove the car, and were able to duplicate, but were unable to repair! I've made some modifications to the front plastic peice that covers the bottom of the engine, but believe it's coming from the brake cover on the passenger side. I've got to get under the car to find out how to remedy because the Nissan dealer wasn't very helpful. It's very annoying especially when you want to go 75 mph but can't without confidence. Let me know if you've found a reolution for this.

    Matt DeVolder
    devolderm@earthlink.net
  • roughneckroughneck Member Posts: 21
    I also have a 2005 altima 2.5s auto. I've only had it for about three weeks. the wife drives it the most. It only has 191 miles on it, but it to has a little harsher shift from first to second too. But one theory I have is that the first gear ratio is so low and the difference is much greater than the rest of the gears. The tranny has to work a little harder. Also I have noticed a little more engine vibration when I am at a stop light. I'll stop and then after a little bit I feel a difference, but the rpms are the same. Anyone else notice this.
  • gsemikegsemike Member Posts: 2,282
    Has anyone changed the tail light on an 02 -05? If so, please let me know the steps and if there is anything that I need to watch out for.

    Just as a tip, I got a good used replacement off of ebay for $4.99 + 15 shipping
  • simplyjacsimplyjac Member Posts: 2
    I own a 2005 altima , bought a month back , done just 3000 Kms . It has an automatic transmission and i too feel that the vehicle jerks as if the clutch slips when acceleration is suddenly cut off on first or second gear . Are you facing some thing similar to this ?
  • sspartissparti Member Posts: 3
    I have the same problem in my 1996 Altima. For the last few summers i've almost died in my car. Sometimes my air works and sometimes it doesn't. It often doesn't work on really hot days. They air will blow cold for a second or two if at all and then it blows out hot, muggy, wet, nasty air. I had my a/c recharged last week but that didn't do anything. I've talked to many mechanics and no one knows what is going on. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. My wife and two daughters are dying without a/c. Thanks
  • sspartissparti Member Posts: 3
    I'm having some a/c problems with my 1996 Altima. For the last few summers i've almost died in my car. Sometimes my air works and sometimes it doesn't. It often doesn't work on really hot days. They air will blow cold for a second or two if at all and then it blows out hot, muggy, wet, nasty air. I had my a/c recharged last week but that didn't do anything. I've talked to many mechanics and no one knows what is going on. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. I've also noticed that the a/c button light doesn't go on when it is hot out side but sometimes at night when it cools down the light will go on and the a/c will work fine. My wife and two daughters are dying without a/c. Please help. Thanks
  • gtnissangtnissan Member Posts: 2
    I cannot seem to control the air conditioner compressor on my new Altima 2.5S with the 4 cyl engine. Normally, I like to run the fan without running the AC. With this car, once I hit the one of the automatic compressor modes such as Max AC or defrost, I cannot stop the compressor until I shut off the fan or shut off the ignition. If I just shut off the fan, the compressor restarts on its own when I turn the fan back on. The AC control button in the center of the temp dial has no effect at this point. Compressor control and switches all work normal as long as I do not use the max ac or defrost modes. The dealership was aware that the problem existed and had told me about it working normal if I shut off the ignition and restarted the car. Has anyone else seen this problem? Also, does it hurt anything if I disconnect the compressor with the single wire leading to it?
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