My husband's car won't start but all of the lights and radio go on. He is at work right now and they tried to jump it, but no luck. His friend said it was probably the starter. How do we know for sure? Also, how much will it cost for parts and labor, and is it something that he can do himself? My husband does basic care on the cars including oil changes and changing brake lights, so if it is a simple fix, then it could be possible (but where can he learn?) I am not sure if it makes a difference, but my husband drives a 2007 Nissan Altima. Thanks for the input!
Edited- My husband says that it clicks only sometimes.
Oooh...the LOLtima. ;o)
Does it "click?" or is there no noise at all?
No click, it's the starter.
Don't just start replacing parts because someone one said it could be that. Auto stores will come out to your car in the parking lot and put a meter thing on it to check parts like solinoid or battrey....I would do that first! Good luck
Youtube it "changing a starter in a 2007 Altima".. if there's a vid of it your husband can decide whether he can do the task on his own or pay to have someone that knows what their doing do it. Or google for instructions and let him read them and see if he wants to try to take on the task.
Sounds like it is the starter since even after a jump, it didn't start. (I think if it was the battery, the car would have received "juice" from the jump and would have started. So I agree with your husband's friend. You can just call a few garages and ask how much it would cost for parts and labor. (Or you can just call an auto parts store and ask them how much it would cost for the parts only for a Nissan Altima 2007.) Also... check into your warranty and see if you're still covered for those parts and check into recalls first. (Sometimes those recall cards can get lost in the mail. That would be great if some how the $ was covered by Nissan.)
Years and years ago I needed a starter and it's not an outrageous cost like having to pay for a new engine or something. Oh... and my dad has a device for about $50 that you clip onto your battery to see how much power you are getting from it. If you can't get it started, then maybe do what Jim said to do and bring in the battery to a garage and have them test it.
Mechanicmama, Where are you? ;~))
Once I fixed a starter that wouldn't work by using a wrench to tighten the bolt holding the starter wire on. It became loose and all it needed was tightening. If you can find the starter wire and its loose, than that's probably the problem. If the starter just clicks, that could be your problem.
If a starter clicks, thats the solenoid. The electromagnet is trying to bring the starter gear to the flywheel/flexplate. There isn't enough electrical power at the solenoid to do that, hence the clicks. Look for poor connections, loose wires and check the terminals on the battery and where the battery is grounded to the frame or car. If all those things check out ok, then you'll probably have to replace the starter.
I don't know where the starter is on the Altima or how hard it is to replace. I have replaced a starter 4 or 5 times on different cars and each brand is different. Have your husband go on line and find out where the starter is and your husband can decide if he wants to tackle the job.
Its much easier for a hobbiest to replace the starter if he has an extra pair of hands.
Good luck to you and yours.
My husband just replaced the starter on his Infiniti. He paid about $120 at an auto store and his brother spent around 2 hours or less taking out the old and putting in the new. If he had gone to a shop, he said he would have paid about $360.
The labor is the expensive part since the started is way down in the engine. At least, that's how it was on my old car.
If it's the starter, usually tapping on it will get it to start. So, if you tap on the starter and the car starts, it's the starter. They aren't usually too hard to replace. Your husband should be able to put the new one on by taking the old one off and then just reversing the process!
Can he take the battery to an auto parts store on his lunch break and have it checked first? That would be the least expensive part to change/fix. If it checks out ok then move on to the starter.
I suggest that you call an automotive repair shop and ask your questions. They'll be glad to answer them.
If you do decide to have the work done you can call several for price comparisons.
My brother replaced my starter but he's been trained as an auto mechanic. He does use a manual for the year and make of the car on which he's working. However, this was 20 or so years ago. He said he's not able to work on cars now because everything is computerized. The auto shop you call can tell you if an amateur can do this kind of work. Or you can call an auto parts store.
Possible the battery, even if the lights and stuff come on. the battery is what is used to start the car. If that isn't good, the best starter in the world won't work.
He can remove the battery and take it to most any auto parts store and they can test it.
