Here’s Why Your Nissan Sentra Won’t Start in the Cold
Get back on the road with this comprehensive guide to troubleshooting a Nissan Sentra that won’t start in the cold!
Written by Drew Waterstreet
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
As seasonal temperatures drop, your Nissan Sentra may not start like it usually does for a variety of reasons, including a
dead battery
, clogged fuel lines, frozen coolant, and more.There’s nothing worse than waking up on a snow-covered morning, already late for work, and your normally-trusty Nissan Sentra decides not to start. But hey, cars don’t like the cold, much like humans.
Fortunately, we’ve created this comprehensive guide to troubleshooting this dilemma. Here are the most common reasons why your Nissan Sentra won’t start in the cold—and how to avoid this frustrating problem in the future.
The five most common reasons your Nissan Sentra won’t start in the cold
Vehicles can operate most efficiently and reliably when the external temperature is around 60 degrees—with plenty of leeway in either direction. However, when temperatures dip below freezing, all bets are off!
If you leave your Nissan Sentra in the cold for too long without driving it, plenty of problems can begin to emerge that may cause it to not start.
1. Dead battery
The problem: Your battery has lost power from sitting in the cold or is too old and needs to be replaced.
What to do: Attempt to jumpstart the battery. If that fails, you may need to replace it.
How much it should cost: $0 to $250
A Nissan Sentra battery has a typical lifespan of three to five years. However, constant exposure to cold weather can shorten its life.
You can try troubleshooting a dead battery by using
jumper cables to jumpstart your Sentra’s engine
. If jumpstarting the battery works, drive your Senta around for at least 20 minutes to allow the battery enough time to recharge. Then, use a voltmeter to check the battery’s health. If it reads 12.6 volts (some models may vary), it’s fair to assume this was just a one-off instance where your battery got too cold. But if the voltmeter reports a lower voltage, it may be time to replace your battery entirely.
If jumpstarting your Sentra doesn’t work at all, unfortunately, you’ll need to head to the auto parts store for a new battery.
2. Weak battery
The problem: Your battery has insufficient cold cranking amps (CCA) or your battery terminals are corroded.
What to do: Replace the battery or battery terminals.
How much it should cost: $10 to $250
Your battery leverages cold cranking amps (CCA) to function in low temperatures. A Nissan Sentra (
depending on the model
) typically requires 500 to 720 CCAs, so make sure you're installing a battery with the correct capacity!Constant cold exposure can also cause your battery terminals to corrode faster. Considering the terminals are how energy gets conducted to the rest of the car, they are a crucial component to starting your Nissan Sentra. Luckily, this is a much more affordable fix than replacing the whole battery.
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3. Clogged fuel lines
The problem: Low fuel tank levels can lead to condensation in the fuel lines, which can then freeze under cold temperatures, blocking fuel flow.
What to do: Flush the fuel lines using a vacuum, plunger, or fuel additive.
How much it should cost: $80 to $150 or more
If everything checks out with the battery, the next likely culprit is a clog in your fuel lines—let us explain.
When your fuel tank gets too low, condensation can begin to form inside your fuel lines. And when temperatures dip below 32 degrees, this condensation can form frozen clogs in the fuel lines.
Flushing the fuel lines is a simple fix with the right tools and materials. But if the issue requires a fuel line replacement, you may be staring down an expensive repair bill. To prevent clogged fuel lines altogether, simply keep your gas tank at least a quarter full on cold winter days.
4. Incorrect engine oil
The problem: You’re using engine oil that’s too thick in the cold, preventing the engine from performing as it should.
What to do: Replace your oil with the correct type that is recommended by the manufacturer.
How much it should cost: $45 to $75
Most Nissan Sentras require engine oil with a viscosity rating of 5W-30 (check your owner’s manual to confirm). The “W” in the first half of that code indicates the oil performs well in Winter—and the “5” means that the oil is relatively thin at low temperatures, allowing for smooth operation even in cold weather.
Using the incorrect engine oil can cause your Nissan Sentra to not start correctly, but it can also potentially cause irreparable damage to your powertrain. So make sure you get it right!
MORE: How much should an oil change cost?
5. Frozen coolant
The problem: Coolant helps your engine maintain a healthy operating temperature. But if it freezes, the engine may overheat.
What to do: Thaw out the vehicle using a fan heater (or wait it out).
How much it should cost: $0
Frozen coolant may prevent your Nissan Sentra from starting. But even if you are able to activate the ignition, do not drive the vehicle. Your engine can quickly overheat if it doesn’t have coolant flowing through it.
In this scenario, give the coolant time to thaw, ideally a few days. You may be able to speed up the process by putting a fan heater near the coolant tank. But do not drive the vehicle until you’re sure it’s no longer frozen. If you do so, the engine might overheat, and you’ll be looking at a repair bill to replace it.
MORE: Antifreeze vs. coolant: what’s the difference?
Other causes: bad alternator, faulty starter, or insufficient fuel
There is a chance your Nissan Sentra failed to start due to an issue that is unrelated to the weather. Here are some examples:
- Faulty alternator: Your alternator is responsible for recharging your battery while you drive—that’s why you don’t have to plug in your Sentra every night. Dim accessory lights and a dashboard battery light are classic signs ofa worn-out alternator.
- Broken starter: If you hear clicking sounds when you try to start your Sentra, thestarter motor, solenoids, orignition switchcould be at fault.
- Out of gas: Your Sentra won’t be able to start without a sufficient amount of gasoline.
- Dirty spark plugs: Your car’sspark plugssupply the “spark” that ignites your engine, so dirty or broken plugs can lead to problems starting in any weather.
- Dead key fob battery: If your Sentra uses anelectronic key fob, you won’t be able to start the engine if it has a dead battery.
What to do if your Nissan Sentra won’t start in the cold
So you’re running late for work on a frigid December morning, and your Nissan Sentra decides not to start. What should you do? Before allowing panic and rage to take over, try one of these simple troubleshooting methods that may help give your Sentra the warm and gentle nudge it needs.
Bring the battery inside
After sitting in the cold for a long time, all you can think about is snuggling into a warm blanket to get your blood pumping again. Same with your car battery and its electrical current!
It may seem silly, but disconnecting and bringing your car battery inside for 10 to 15 minutes may allow it the opportunity to warm up and function properly once reassembled.
Turn on accessory mode
Accessory mode can be turned on by turning your key enough to activate electrical components, like lights and the radio, without starting the engine.
Leaving your Nissan Sentra in accessory mode for five to ten minutes can give the battery ample time to warm up before attempting to start the engine.
Invest in an engine block heater
An engine block heater keeps crucial starting components (battery, engine, fluids, and more) of your Nissan Sentra warm while you’re not driving (remember, cars prefer a mild 60-degree temperature outside).
Simply plug the device into a 110-volt outlet in your garage and let it work its magic. This is a long-term solution that can help you avoid being late for work on cold mornings in the future!
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