Myster2

First time poster here...

We purchased an Altima a couple of days ago and after the 2nd day of having it, ran into problems starting it. Here was the situation and symptoms....

Family got into car, all doors were open and driver (me) was first to close door and push the start button while pushing brake pedal. Normally, I hold the button until after I've heard the engine start but it was just a quick push this time and let go before I heard the engine crank.

The car did not start but went into the ON position and would not switch to any other position (off or acc). The display showed 3 doors open but would not update once the doors were closed. The interior lights would not shut off (had to move interior light switch to off, afterwards would not come back on). The key would not operate any of the doors or trunk. The display would register if the transmission would switch from park, reverse to drive.

I ended up having to get a ride to my house and leaving the car in ON position.

I'm an IT guy and I had suspicion that if I could disconnect the battery to reset the computer to get it to work (Just like sometimes you have to pull the power on a computer and let flea power drain to reset it). We drove back and car was still locked in ON position and I disconnected the battery for about 1 min, reconnected and the car started functioning like normal. (If i were an AC guy, I would have probably reset the air filter )

This is the first car I've had with push button start and can't help feeling a little vulnerable to technology. Anyone else had this problem?

I drove the car straight back to the dealership and left it there where they will be looking at it on Monday.

One thing for sure... I wont ever go anywhere without having a 10mm wrench.

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G0N0les

That's a new one, haven't heard of that before. Hopefully it's just a sensor that the dealership can fix easily. I have had my altima 2010, since August of last year and have had no issues with the push start.

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2010 Altima 2.5 SL w/Takeda Intake, Magnaflow Exhaust, Eibach Springs, 18" Drag DR-11 Wheels

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gameguru1360

for something like your push button start issues, I'd take that to the dealer. I wouldn't mess with it myself and it's definitely covered under warranty.

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superbad

had mine since september and never had any issue at all
i would be so p!ssed off
definitely have the dealer deal with this issue

__________________
2010 ALTIMA 3.5 SR:Prem Pkg, Sport Pkg, Tech pkg
MODS:A34 Nismos, BC Racing coilovers, RL RSB,RL rear endlinks, Recaro baby seat

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Myster2

So the dealer took a look. They said the only thing the computer logged showed was the car was not in park when attempted to start but that didn't explain why the car wouldn't go back to the OFF position so the response to that was that if the car battery is weak, it would get stuck on the ON position.

Smells like BS to me. Can anyone verify that's what happens when the battery is weak? So they made sure the battery is at full charge.

They said if it happens again, don't disconnect the battery, call a tow truck to bring the car to dealer so they can see it happening.

I'm off to pickup the car.

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Klink

Never had a problem with my 2010 either....But I do wonder why you normally hold the button until the engine turns over???? I always just push in the brake, then push the start button fully and release... the car turns over a second later...is there differance? I have never read the instructions in the manual.


But now I'm going to also throw a cheap 10mm wrench in my glove box just in case.






Smells bad to me too. If the battery was weak you would have not been able to start the car after you came back hours later with a wrench.

I have left my car in the "on" postion and locked it and left....guess what... when I got off work 13 hours later the battery was weak and it would not start... I had to get a jump.... dissconnecting the battery would have not have helped a weak or almost dead battery to my knowledge.

So another tip.... keep a pair of jumper cables with you also. Since the car doesn't have a key to remove when you exit your car, it is easy to leave the car on, but not running. LOL..

Keep us posted

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Aenergy

LOL....I already put the jump cable & wrench in the trunk a week ago...

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mikejamesbyma

Not an impressive way to start your ownership. It does sound like a computer issue, kind of like when you have to restart your computer at home because something isn't operating the way it should. I suspect you won't have this issue again given that you are prepared for it, Murphy's Law...

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03 Altima 3.5
4AT, Muff delete,
ebay CAI w/AEM filter
vias mod
Vogtland springs/KYB GR-2/Godspeed camber arms
Transgo RE4F04B-HD2
- (valve body removed)

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Altered

I have actually seen it happen on an Altima where the vehicle will get stuck in the ON position due to a weak battery. When insufficient energy is supplied to the control units these cars will do strange things. I'd make sure the car is in Park, and not hold the button to start it. I simply give mine a quick push-and-release and have had absolutely no trouble.

If I had to guess, I'd say you had a poor connection at the battery.

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wolverine01

STARTING THE ENGINE
3. Push the ignition switch to the ON position.
Depress the brake pedal and the clutch
pedal (if so equipped) and push the ignition
switch to start the engine.
To start the engine immediately, push and
release the ignition switch while depressing
the brake pedal with the ignition switch in
any position. Page 317 Owners manual

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Myster2

This seems like a very bizarre behavior. If anything I would have not expected the car to start at all after resetting the battery since technically the battery would have less of a charge than when I first attempted.

The car has been running perfect since that day I'm happy to report.

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LisaSchiske

We also bought a brand new 2011 Nissan Altima...we are at 3,000 miles...loading the family in the car and won't start...everything froze! Our 13 yr old pushed the cancel button on cruise control thinking is would cancel the computer of the car but the horn honked and honked and honked! Then the 13 year old came up with the idea to disconnect the battery! It worked!! What is up!!!

Dealership never heard of this!! Of course!!

Lisa

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LisaSchiske

We also have now added a 10mm wrench to the glove compartment!! The following day I went to cancel my cruise control and the dashboard lights brightened right up like it was dark!! It was 8am with the brightest sunshine!!
Can't wait to see if there are any other posts!

Lisa

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MattKe

I had a similar issue today with my new 2011 Altima 2.5SL (2,964 miles). I had the door open and attempted to start it when I heard a "ziptzz". All the dashboard lights stayed on, the accessory buzzer wouldn't stop, and the car wouldn't start. It was like it was locked in accessory mode and the key was completely non functional. I had it towed to the dealership, as my neighbors stood in the yard feeling sorry for me. The dealership reset it and confirmed it seemed like it was frozen in accessory mode for some reason. They are keeping it through tomorrow to check it some more and I have to have my wife drive me into Hertz to pick up a loaner. In the meantime, I lost a day of work and a lot of enthusiasm for my purchase.

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mikejamesbyma

Your car will give you many years of great service. Don't let this put a damper on a great car.

__________________

03 Altima 3.5
4AT, Muff delete,
ebay CAI w/AEM filter
vias mod
Vogtland springs/KYB GR-2/Godspeed camber arms
Transgo RE4F04B-HD2
- (valve body removed)

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