Engine not turning over?
 

My 2000 Nissan Almera 1.5ltr wont turn over the starter motor turns, i removed the battery to charge it but the chargers gauge needle only moved a little and stayed towrads the left, so then checked the battery with the charger disconnect and my digital meter said the battery was 12.6volts so i assume the battery is fully charge?

I have half a tank of petrol, its pitch black outside cold and icey/frosty but i couldnt find the distribution cap isnt it normally on the right side of the engine block?
What are the simple things to look out for?

Have you gotten a voltage reading on the battery when it was installed in the car?

solenoid stuck probs , if starter turns but engine wont

No sorry i couldnt find my multi meter at the time, do you think i need to check if its properly charge when connect or if theres a short cuirct some where.
are there some fuses and relays i need to check?

Cheers do you mean a relay in the fuse box?
Or a mechanical fuel solenoid fitted in the engine bay?

Distributor? I really doubt a 2000 Nissan has a distributor.

The starter motor is turning but not turning the engine over? Beat on the starter like it owes you money a few times with a hammer. If it works after that, plan on replacing the starter as it is dying.

Do you hear the click-click noise when you turn the ignition?

Could be the regulator/rectifier. Mine went twice in 3 months on my motorbike. It would "click, click" on the solenoid and no dice. Trouble is on mine if the RR goes, it takes the battery with it.

Take a hammer and bump on the starter and see if it will allow the solenoid to free up. If not remove the starter and replace the solenoid .

Okay, your engine does not start.

Which of the following is the issue?

A> The starter clicks, but the engine does not turn, nor does the starter motor.
This indicates that you either have a bad starter motor, or not enough battery power to turn the engine. Check your battery connections. If they are good, have your battery load tested at a parts store. If the battery checks out its likely the starter. If you can't test the battery at a store get a jump from someone. If the car starts, you've got a battery issue. Check the voltage when running with all accessories on (radio, blower motor...etc.), it should be between 13 and 15 volts. If it reads 12v or lower you have a charging issue with the alternator or it wiring

B> The starter motor spins, but the engine does not spin.
This usually means that the starter motor is good but it is not engaging the motor either due to broken flywheel teeth, or solenoid that engages the starter is bad.

C> The starter motor engages and turns the engine over, however it never fires.
You either have a fuel or ignition issue.

Not sure though i dont recall any clicking noises.
I just rememberd about a month ago it took a bit longer to turn over, the starting noise sounded like it was down on power for the lack of a better description.
Apart from those 2 occassions the engine has always turned over instantly normaly just a quick flick of the wrist.

Well the starter spins and the sound it makes i would say its engaging and turning the engine, ands there a slight motion in the car.

So it appears i may have a fuel or ignition problem.

These things rarely just happen... did you experience any misfiring or irregular operation preceding this?

Apart from what i said 2 posts ago.
"I just rememberd about a month ago it took a bit longer to turn over, the starting noise sounded like it was down on power for the lack of a better description.
Apart from those 2 occassions the engine has always turned over instantly normaly just a quick flick of the wrist.."

But the past month nothing at all.
Thanks for the help everyone!

It can indeed happen, If the ignition coil is broke. On multiple coil pack cars it'll cause a bad misfire. Or he could have moisture in the fuel from a bad gas cap.

It happened to my moms VW Cabriolet. The ignition coil went bad, and no spark no go. Was so bad that when i pulled the coil wire off to inspect it for spark, the coil literally crumbled in my hands.

a good battery should read ~13v

Im betting that this cold spell has finally made your battery pop its clogs

Fair enough. It happened to my moms VW Cabriolet. The ignition coil went bad, and no spark no go. Was so bad that when i pulled the coil wire off to inspect it for spark, the coil literally crumbled in my hands. What I meant was these things rarely just happen overnight. The coil deteriorating to the condition that you saw it happened over time. Over a period in which your mother probably felt stuttering and thought nothing of it.

Sounds like the starter is bad, the gear that comes out to turn the engine over should disengage once the engine is running. Sometimes it's faulty, and drops back too soon, without completing the start.

I do have alot of moisture/vapour from the exhaust even in not so cold weather, the water from the pipe is just water not oily or sweet.
Cars used for short trips.

just out of curiosity you do have plenty of anti-freeze in your coolant system right?

Possible frozen water pump?