# 98 Altima Starting Problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** altima, start\ **Created:** [April 1, 2008, 6:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-altima-starting-problem/12459 "2008-04-01T18:47:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jndn99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/90db22/32.png) [@jndn99](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jndn99)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 6:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-altima-starting-problem/12459/1 "2008-04-01T18:47:45Z")
98 Nissan Altima Will not start. Turns over like it wants to start but never engages. Fuel pump engages, new plugs and battery. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 8:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-altima-starting-problem/12459/2 "2008-04-01T20:35:34Z")
Buy one new spark plug. Carry the plug with you and the next time it does not start, get out and pull one plug wire off (pull on the socket part not the wire) put the new plug on that wire and hold the threads of the plug tight against the engine block while you have someone try to start the car. You should see a bright blue spark, and if you are not holding the plug with an insulated tool, you will also see stars! This can rule out a spark problem. ---
**Author:** ![mmsamma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ed655f/32.png) [@mmsamma](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mmsamma)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 8:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-altima-starting-problem/12459/3 "2008-04-01T20:43:00Z")
rec check for codes,nissan needs to see cam sig to start same as mitsu,then when running it uses crk sensor,for control ---
**Author:** ![mmsamma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ed655f/32.png) [@mmsamma](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mmsamma)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 8:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-altima-starting-problem/12459/4 "2008-04-01T20:51:57Z")
one stupid ??? is there fuel in the tank? had to ask. ---
**Author:** ![jndn99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/90db22/32.png) [@jndn99](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jndn99)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 9:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-altima-starting-problem/12459/5 "2008-04-01T21:03:20Z")
Yes, that is the first thing we checked. We even added more just to be sure. The fuel pump engages so i know it works. ---
**Author:** ![mmsamma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ed655f/32.png) [@mmsamma](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mmsamma)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 9:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-altima-starting-problem/12459/6 "2008-04-01T21:04:40Z")
pull codes. ---
**Author:** ![jndn99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/90db22/32.png) [@jndn99](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jndn99)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 9:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-altima-starting-problem/12459/7 "2008-04-01T21:07:01Z")
Is there a way to pull codes without a diagnostic tool? The car will not start so i cannot take it to a parts store for them to do it. I know on some vehicles you can pull codes. ---
**Author:** ![mmsamma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ed655f/32.png) [@mmsamma](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mmsamma)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 9:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-altima-starting-problem/12459/8 "2008-04-01T21:12:41Z")
no IM afraid not,its an OBD2 veh.you can get a 30.00 dollar model. but it will only pull codes,no datastream ect: ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-altima-starting-problem/12459/9 "2008-04-01T21:22:22Z")
Back to basics. Does it have spark during cranking? The very first adviser asked you to do this. Have you? ---
**Author:** ![mmsamma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ed655f/32.png) [@mmsamma](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mmsamma)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 9:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-altima-starting-problem/12459/10 "2008-04-01T21:56:52Z")
puter info is nowadays back to basics,very great to get the ball rolling.// ---
**Author:** ![jndn99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/90db22/32.png) [@jndn99](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jndn99)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 10:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-altima-starting-problem/12459/11 "2008-04-01T22:20:03Z")
The car is not at my home- I will try this and get back with you. ---
**Author:** ![jndn99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/90db22/32.png) [@jndn99](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jndn99)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2008, 3:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-altima-starting-problem/12459/12 "2008-04-02T03:21:58Z")
Yes there is a spark. ---
**Author:** ![jndn99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/90db22/32.png) [@jndn99](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jndn99)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 4:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-altima-starting-problem/12459/13 "2008-04-21T04:35:30Z")
Update: 98 Nissan Ultima will not start. Turns over but does not engage. Confirmed fuel pump operates and connected spark tester and got a spark. It has gas. It is a 2.4 L engine. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 5:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-altima-starting-problem/12459/14 "2008-04-21T05:30:16Z")
You think that there is fuel pressure because you hear the fuel pump run? If that fuel filter has never been changed, it could be stopping the fuel from reaching the fuel injectors. Changing this fuel filter is easy. Click on this link for pictures and instructions: [http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=az/cds/en\_us/0900823d/80/1b/57/aa/0900823d801b57aa.jsp](http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1b/57/aa/0900823d801b57aa.jsp) If the fuel injectors aren’t being worked, they won’t spray fuel into the engine. Check the 10A fuse #21. It powers the fuel injectors. Use a spray can of Starting Fluid (available from auto parts stores) and spray a two second shot into the large plastic intake tube. You can go in through a smaller hose attached to it. If the engine runs for a few seconds, and dies, that shows that fuel isn’t being injected into the engine. Whatcha got?