Nissan Micra 54 reg - wont start or turn over

puddy

My car wont start at all, its completely silent when I turn the key, the usual lights come on on the dashboard, most of them staying on.

Called the AA yesterday as we have homestart, he said that the problem was the key was not communicating with the car anymore (we have 2 keys and both were checked), so needed reprogramming and he recommended someone locally (mobile locksmith) who has just come.

Mobile locksmith said that its not this, because if it was, the key light would be flashing, whereas it is just steady on.

Battery has been checked, nothing wrong there.

So have phoned the AA to come back. In the meantime I phoned the local Nissan dealer. He said he thought the AA was right and to get them to tow it to the dealer (cant remember if we have recovery). He said he couldnt understand how a mobile locksmith would be able to programme the key anyway and sounded a bit shirty about it.

What could be wrong? The locksmith bloke said it might be a cam shaft sensor?

Any ideas?

hartcjhart

could be the sensor,could also be the timing chain stretched,
try to get a couple of friends to give you a push,

with the ignition OFF put the car in 4th gear and get them to push it forwards a couple of feet,

then take out of gear and try starting it normally again

if it is the chain expect a hefty bill as it is an engine out job

puddy

Its an automatic, no fourth gear as such.

The AA turned up, checked it again. This man said that it was something to do with something overlayed on the gear box, but not the gear box itself, he thinks that its stuck inbetween a gear and wont recognise the start. Makes no sense to me.

They have now towed my lovely car away. Im v upset. He disagreed it was the key. Checked the battery again, the starter motor etc. He said that even when he overides the circuit that the key starts (?), it still wont start, but is very slightly turning over.

Whilst poking around he has also diagnosed a corroded fuse box but said that although that will give me problems in time, thats not the reason it wont start now.

Its already got an illegal back tyre that Im waiting to get fixed, MOT due at the end of the month, new discs and pads needed and 'bushings' at £145 EACH

depressed

puddy

right, update. The AA have just rung again, he said that as they were towing it they noticed the wipers werent working. He said he pulled it over and stripped it down again and traced it back to the corroded fuse box that he had told me about. He said that this will be the problem and that this is all I will need to get fixed.

Now, if this is the case and NIssan dont try to swindle me, how much am I looking at?

hartcjhart

a ball park figure of £300-£400 hopefully I am wrong

maybe 'Scuttsy' will pop in here and give you a better idea

puddy

oh. they have just phoned and said its £51.75 for the part and then half hour to fit. Ive also asked if they can change the tyre at the same time.

are we talking about the same thing?

hartcjhart

thats great, probably just me being cynical

puddy

i hope so, it was the AA that told me the price, so I rang Nissan and said is that right, she said 'sounds about right', bit vague

However, the tyre is about 50 quid. I'll wait a bit for the discs and pads although the pads are free with kwik fit as guaranteed. Dont know what to do about this bushings thing

hartcjhart

puddy wrote: »

i hope so, it was the AA that told me the price, so I rang Nissan and said is that right, she said 'sounds about right', bit vague

However, the tyre is about 50 quid. I'll wait a bit for the discs and pads although the pads are free with kwik fit as guaranteed. Dont know what to do about this bushings thing

you were doing allright till you mentioned that name:eek:

puddy

I know, theres mixed feelings about them on here (and in my head too)

Anyway, heres a strange thing. I had the car serviced just before Xmas. It has not been driven since (thats why I thought it was initially a flat battery as its been sitting around a long time)

On the service, it said that one of the rear tyres was illegal thread. Today, they say they checked them and they are both too low, so thats both tyres to be replaced.

We had this before with my partner's car. Had an MOT I think and it said that the pads and discs were worn. So he paniced and got them immediately replaced. 3 weeks later, the car went in for its service with the same dealer, and they said that the pads and discs were 30% worn. I phoned up to complain to ask how they could be 30% gone in 3 weeks and got flim flam.

Anyway, with regard to kwik fit, the pads are under guarantee so Id be stupid not to get them for free, it will save me £60 from the Nissan price

forgotmyname

Except kwik fit will want to fit new discs and a list of other work that needs doing urgently.