Sorry if this topic has been run into the ground, but my searches didn't answer my question...(you guessed it, I'm a noob).

Anyway, for the past few weeks, my 03 Xterra has been a bit slow once I turned the ignition. It would start on the first crank and drove like a champ. Then this afternoon, I go to start it and nothing. No clicks, no spits, no nothing. My lights, radio, etc worked, but the engine wouldn't turn over. Once we jumped it, it ran great; however, once I turned it off, it wouldn't start.

The mechanic told me I needed a new battery and starter. Although it's an '03, my Xterra has less than 75,000 miles. Now I don't want to discredit the good man, but a new starter?

that was my guess. He could be right. Sounds like your starter need alot more juice to start or is just stickin. If all your lights and stuff seem fine then i would say its your starter. Just a guess though.

Replace the battery and see what happens. I have not seen a starter fail that fast.. yet.

Also before you buy anything check to see if the battery cables are tight. Thats a common defect on our 1st Gens.

Yep... especially the negative side. Good call Mike.

Agreed with Mike.

Before you replace anything, I would take it to an Autozone or an autoparts store of the like and have them test the alternator, starter and battery. I know Autozone will do all of that for free and it could save you some money and time replacing something that may not need to be replaced.

Like every one said Check your terminals first and be sure they are tight. If they are replace just your battery first then have your alternator checked to be sure it is charging your battery.

It seems like its just your battery and not so much your starter if it turns over fine when you jump it off a good battery. The easiest way to check if its your battery that is bad is to turn on your headlights and try to start it. The headlights should barely dim ( a little is common due to the high draw of current from your battery bu not enough to be really noticeable). If they dim alot or go completly out its probably just your battery and it should be replaced. But your alternator not charging could be what caused your battery to die so make sure you have it check after you replace the battery or you'll end up needing another battery in the near future.

I still say get it to Autozone and have everything tested by them and then replace what is necessary since they just so happen to sell the stuff there. It costs nothing and only takes a few minutes. Not debunking you guys or anything but if she's to the point of taking it to a mechanic then that tells me she doesn't like to/ want to/ or knows how to work on her vehicle herself ( I mean absolutely no disrespect to you Heather when I say that). Some people don't like to work on their own vehicles for fear of making a problem worse.

If there's a free service available to troubleshoot the problem, there's no harm in doing it. I mean if my X was doing the same thing, I would do it and fix it right there in the parking lot.

Good point drake. Sorry heather but being a mechanic I just start typing about what to tell them to try and help them fix thier problem. Go for autozone like Drake said unless you would rather do your own work. going there could even point you in the right direction of what to fix even if you do it yourself.

Some people don't like to work on their own vehicles for fear of making a problem worse.

and boy did i make the problem worse with each turn of my wrench lol

Thanks guys! Don't worry, not insulted at all (I'm the same way in my field).

I blamed the start problem on my husband's Tennessee Vols sticker he snuck on the back windshield, but it seems that removing the "Power T" and replacing the battery has done the trick. But I will still be darkening the doorstep of my local Autozone this weekend just to be sure.

I blamed the start problem on my husband's Tennessee Vols sticker he snuck on the back windshield, but it seems that removing the "Power T" and replacing the battery has done the trick.

Oh you didn't tell us about the Vols sticker! Absolutely that was the major problem there. The Fulmer Effect was draining the life out of your xterra! :mocking:


ROLL TIDE!!!

Thanks guys! Don't worry, not insulted at all (I'm the same way in my field).

I blamed the start problem on my husband's Tennessee Vols sticker he snuck on the back windshield, but it seems that removing the "Power T" and replacing the battery has done the trick. But I will still be darkening the doorstep of my local Autozone this weekend just to be sure.

Heather, get a charging system test while you are there. And just to expirement, try putting the old battery back in and cranking it over, If it starts back up, it was your clamps that were bad.

Thanks guys! Don't worry, not insulted at all (I'm the same way in my field).

I blamed the start problem on my husband's Tennessee Vols sticker he snuck on the back windshield, but it seems that removing the "Power T" and replacing the battery has done the trick. But I will still be darkening the doorstep of my local Autozone this weekend just to be sure.

I'm assuming your in TN? If so, you and your hubby should come along on some trails with me, Justin, Tuff, and Drake and others that come along....I'm in knoxville area...