1996 altima starting/interior lights problems

I agree with the previous poster - it's likely that the dash light
brightness potentiometer is dirty. Before replacing it, I would just try
"rolling" it from bright to dim about 30 times with your thumb. My '94
Altima started doing that after about five years from new and now needs that
"excercise" about every other year to cure the same problem. If you haven't
been using the dash dimmer - located to the left of the steering column on
the dash - it could be a cheap work-around.

"Professor" <briangriffey RemoveThis @sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:1116176579.798606.250630@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
 > Well... you seem like you're batting 1000 as far as intermittent open
 > circuits. There could be a number of reasons for both your problems but
 > if I were troubleshooting... I would look at these first. If the car is
 > has an automatic transmission... I would check the neutral start switch
 > first. You could make a fast check of the switch the next time the
 > problem occurs by moving the shift selector to neutral... then park...
 > back and forth a few times. If the car cranks now... your switch is
 > probably worn out.
 >
 > As for your dash lights... the number one reason I have found for this
 > issue is the dash light brigtness potentiometer is dirty and needs to
 > be replaced.
 >
 > Professor
<font color=purple> > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.telstar-electronics.com</font" target="_blank">www.telstar-electronics.com</font</a>>
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: 1996 altima starting/interior lights problems 

I also have a 96 altima(manual) and it is giving me the same problem. Battery is good but time to time the car does not want to start at all. If you rock it back and forth then it starts up. But the problem is happening more and more frequently. I took it to a mechanic one and could not fix the problem. Any help appreciated.

James
 >> Stay informed about: 1996 altima starting/interior lights problems 

if the starter spins but no start but when ya rock it it starts ten its
likely the flywheel, any mechanic shouldve known this, find a better
mechanic if thats the case


"James_va" <DoNotEmail.RemoveThis@AutoForumz.com> wrote in message
news:1_616911_99ca422b923c45b6e37c425a5ad808b3@autoforumz.com...
> "rayebo" wrote:
> > I recently bought a '96 altima. Overall it seems to be a very
> > good car. I do have a few problems. 1st- Sometimes when I go
> > to start the car I turn the key and nothing happens. If I rock
> > the car a little bit it will then start right up. What could
> > this be? 2nd, sometimes when I am driving at night, the
> > interior lights on the dashboard will blink off and then a
> > minute or so later come back on. Is annoying since I can't see
> > how fast I am traveling or any of my warning lights should
> > they come on. What could this be? Thank you, Raye
>
> I also have a 96 altima(manual) and it is giving me the same problem.
> Battery is good but time to time the car does not want to start at
> all. If you rock it back and forth then it starts up. But the problem
> is happening more and more frequently. I took it to a mechanic one and
> could not fix the problem. Any help appreciated.
>
> James
 >> Stay informed about: 1996 altima starting/interior lights problems 

When I turn the key absolutely nothing happens(nothing spins) as if the car is completely dead. But when I rock the car the car just starts up.
The car has about 120 thousand miles. And I did notice there is some oil leaking around the engine. I don't know if that has anything to do with it.

James
 >> Stay informed about: 1996 altima starting/interior lights problems