Nissan Sentra Won’t Start But Cranks? (Here’s why)

When you’re ready to hit the road and your trusty Nissan Sentra refuses to start, it can be frustrating and puzzling.

One common scenario is when your Sentra cranks, but the engine doesn’t come to life. In such cases, you may wonder what could be causing this issue and how you can get your vehicle up and running again.

Let’s explore some possible reasons why your Nissan Sentra won’t start but cranks, and what you can do to address the problem.

Why Nissan Sentra Won’t Start But Cranks?

1. Weak or dead battery

A weak or dead battery is one of the most common reasons for a no-start condition. A battery voltage test can help you determine if the battery is the culprit.

You can use a multimeter to measure the voltage between the battery poles. A healthy battery should have a voltage of about 12 to 13 volts. Values above 14 or below 11.5 volts indicate a problem with the battery.

If the battery is weak or dead, you can try to jump-start it using another vehicle or a battery booster. Connect the red cable to the positive terminal of your Sentra’s battery and then to the positive terminal of the donor battery.

Connect the black cable to the negative terminal of the donor battery and then to the metal in the engine bay of your Sentra. Start the donor vehicle and then your Sentra. Remove the cables in reverse order¹.

2. Corrosion on battery terminals

Corrosion on the battery terminals can cause a loss of contact and reduced current flow, which means that your engine may not get enough power to start. 

To check if corrosion is the problem, lift the rubber covers over the two battery terminals and inspect them for any signs of rust, white powder, or green deposits.

If you find corrosion on the battery terminals, you can clean them using a wire brush, baking soda, and water solution, or a commercial battery terminal cleaner.

Make sure to disconnect the negative terminal first and then the positive one before cleaning. After cleaning, reconnect the positive terminal first and then the negative one.

3. Bad fuel pump, fuel pump relay, or fuse

A bad fuel pump, fuel pump relay, or fuse can prevent fuel from reaching the engine, causing a no-start condition. To check if fuel is the problem, you can use a fuel pressure gauge to measure the fuel pressure at the fuel rail.

You can also listen to the sound of the fuel pump when you turn the key to the ON position. If you don’t hear any sound or if the fuel pressure is low or zero, it could mean that the fuel pump, relay, or fuse is faulty.

To check if the fuel pump relay or fuse is bad, you can use a multimeter to test for continuity and voltage at their terminals. 

You can also swap them with another relay or fuse of the same rating and see if that makes any difference. If you find a bad relay or fuse, replace it with a new one.

4. Bad spark plugs, ignition coils, or wires

Bad spark plugs, ignition coils, or wires can cause a weak or no spark condition, which means that your engine may not ignite properly.

To check if the spark is the problem, you can use a spark tester to test for a spark at each spark plug wire. You can also remove each spark plug and inspect it for signs of wear, damage, or fouling.

If you find a bad spark plug, ignition coil, or wire, replace it with a new one. 

If you find that your engine is flooded with excess gasoline, you may need to remove and dry out the spark plugs and recharge your battery before trying to start your engine again.

Conclusion

These are some of the most common causes of a Nissan Sentra that cranks but won’t start. 

However, there could be other factors involved, such as a bad starter motor, crankshaft position sensor, camshaft position sensor, immobilizer system, timing belt or chain, etc.

If you are not sure how to diagnose or fix your problem, it is best to consult a professional mechanic for help.