Why <em>Nissan Almera Classic</em> does not start when cold: complete troubleshooting

Nissan Almera Classic (N16) is a time-tested sedan, but even it is not immune to cold start problems. Owners often encounter a situation where the car refuses to start in the morning or after a long stay, but during the day it works like a clock. What is the reason for this behavior?

In this article we will look at all possible reasons - from trivial (dead battery) to hidden (temperature sensor malfunction). You will learn how to diagnose the problem yourself, which components to check first, and when a visit to service is indispensable. We will pay special attention to the specifics of engines QG15DE And QG18DE, which were installed on Almera Classic — their weak points often become a source of headaches.

1. Battery: first suspect

If Nissan Almera Classic It doesn't start well when cold, but the starter turns sluggishly or intermittently - the battery is to blame. At low temperatures, the battery capacity drops by 30-50%, and a worn-out battery may not produce the required current to crank the crankshaft.

How to check:

• 🔋 Terminal voltage no load: must be at least 12.6 V. If below 12.2 V - the battery is low.
• 🔧 Voltage drop at startup: if the voltage drops below when cranking the starter 9 V, The battery requires replacement.
• 🔍 Visual inspection: swelling of the case, oxidation of the terminals or electrolyte leaks are signs of imminent death of the battery.

Advice: if the car has been parked in the cold for more than a week, turn on the high beams for 10 seconds before starting - this will “wake up” the chemical processes in the battery.

⚠️ Attention: do not try to “light” Almera Classic from a running car with headlights or music on. A power surge can damage Engine ECU (especially on models before 2010).

2. Starter and solenoid relay: wear and icing

If you hear clicks when you turn the key, but the starter does not turn, the problem is solenoid relay or the starter itself. On Almera Classic Often the brushes wear out or the contacts (“nickels”) inside the relay burn out.

Typical symptoms:

• 🔊 Single click when turning the key, the retractor is faulty.
• 🔄 The starter turns jerkily - wear of brushes or bearings.
• ❄️ Problems only in the cold — icing of the mechanism is possible (especially if the machine is parked outdoors).

How to temporarily solve the problem:

1. Tap the starter housing with a wooden screwdriver handle (not metal!).
2. Check the contacts on the retractor - often oxidation interferes with normal operation.
3. If the starter “grabs” after several attempts, get ready to replace it.

What to do if the starter turns, but the engine does not catch?

If the starter turns confidently, but the engine does not start, the problem lies in the ignition or fuel supply system. Check:

1. Spark on the spark plugs (unscrew one and apply it to the ground, turning the starter).

2. Pressure in the fuel rail (should be ~3 atm).

3. Signals from the crankshaft sensor (without it the ECU will not give the injection command).

3. Spark plugs: a key element for cold starting

On Nissan Almera Classic with engines QG15DE/QG18DE candles are one of the most vulnerable places. If they are worn out or have an incorrect clearance, they cannot ignite a rich fuel mixture when it is cold.

Signs of malfunction:

• 🔥 Engine cranks but won't start - weak spark.
• 🛢️ Gasoline smell from exhaust - fuel does not burn.
• 📉 Power drop after starting - misfires.

What candles to put:

Engine	Original catalog number	Analogues	Gap (mm)
QG15DE	22401-4M505	NGK BPR6ES, Denso K16PR-U11	1.1
QG18DE	22401-4M515	NGK BPR6EIX, Denso IK16	1.0–1.1

Important: on Almera Classic Do not use spark plugs with platinum or iridium tips unless they are recommended by the manufacturer. They can call overheating of ignition coils.

Unscrew the spark plugs and inspect them|

Check the gap with a feeler gauge (should be 1.0–1.1 mm)|

Clean the deposits with fine sandpaper (if the electrodes are intact)|

Check the resistance of the high-voltage wires (should be ~5–10 kOhm) -->

4. Coolant temperature sensor (DTOZH)

This sensor “deceives” the ECU if it is lying. When cold it should show a lower temperature +5°Cso that the control unit enriches the mixture. If the DTOZH is faulty, Almera Classic It will start like a hot car - with all the ensuing problems.

How to check DTOZH:

1. Remove the connector from the sensor and measure the resistance:
   • 🌡️ +20°C — ~2.5 kOhm
   • ❄️ 0°C — ~5.5 kOhm
   • ❄️❄️ -20°C — ~14 kOhm

If the resistance does not change or the sensor is stuck at one value, replacement is required.

Where is DTOZH located? Almera Classic: On the cylinder block near the thermostat (not to be confused with the temperature gauge sensor on the dashboard!).

5. Fuel system: from filter to injectors

In cold weather, fuel thickens, and if the filter is also clogged, Almera Classic It just won't get the right amount of gasoline to start. This is especially true for cars older than 10 years, where the tank has never been cleaned.

What to check:

• 🛢️ Fuel filter - change every 20,000 km (on Almera Classic it is located under the bottom near the tank).
• 🔧 Rail pressure - must be 2.8–3.2 kg/cm² (checked with a pressure gauge).
• 💦 Injectors - if they are clogged, they will “pour” fuel when it’s cold, rather than spraying it.
• 🚗 Gasoline pump — when worn, it does not create the required pressure (you can hear it “howling” when you turn on the ignition).

How to wash injectors without removing them:

1. Buy a cleaner (eg. Liqui Moly Injection Reiniger).
2. Disconnect the fuel line from the rail and connect the cleaner bottle through the adapter.
3. Start the engine and let it idle for 10-15 minutes.

⚠️ Attention: if after washing the injectors the engine begins to work worse, it means that the cleaner has washed away the deposits that previously “mask” their malfunction. In this case, the nozzles must be removed and cleaned with ultrasound.

6. Crankshaft position sensor (CPS)

If Nissan Almera Classic it doesn’t start at all (it doesn’t even “catch”), but the starter turns briskly - it’s the fault DPKV. Without its signal, the ECU does not know when to spark and inject fuel.

Signs of malfunction:

• 🚨 No spark at all spark plugs.
• 📛 Error P0335 or P0336 (read by scanner or “check engine” flashes 10 times).
• 🔄 The engine stalls immediately after starting.

How to check DPKV:

1. Remove the sensor (located on the oil pump cover, next to the crankshaft pulley).
2. Call with a multimeter:
   • Winding resistance - 550–750 Ohm.
   • Insulation on the body - should be ∞ (no short circuit).

Inspect the toothed disk on the crankshaft - if it is broken or dirty, the sensor will not be able to read the signal.

7. Air filter and throttle valve

A clogged air filter or dirty throttle body will cause lean mixture, which makes the engine difficult to start when cold. On Almera Classic The throttle often becomes coated with carbon deposits, especially when driving short distances.

How to clean the throttle:

1. Remove the air duct corrugation and unscrew the 4 throttle mounting bolts.
2. Rinse carb cleaner (For example, Abro Carb Cleaner) internal surface and bypass channel.
3. Please note Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) — it cannot be washed with aggressive solvents!
4. After installation, run throttle adaptation:

   1. Сбросьте клемму АКБ на 10 минут.
   2. Заведите двигатель и дайте поработать 5 минут на холостых.
   3. Выключите зажигание на 10 секунд, затем снова заведите.

Important: If after cleaning the throttle the speed “floats”, it means that you have damaged the protective coating of the damper. In this case, only replacing the throttle assembly will help.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about cold starting Nissan Almera Classic

Is it possible to start the Almera Classic from the pusher in the cold?

Yes, but with reservations:

• 🚗 Only on mechanics (on automatic - prohibited!).
• 🔧 Pre-engage 3rd gear and accelerate the car to 15–20 km/h.
• ⚠️ Don’t try to start it “towed” on an icy road - you may lose control.

What kind of oil should I fill in Almera Classic to facilitate cold starts?

Optimal options for winter:

Oil type	Viscosity	Example (brand)
Semi-synthetics	5W-30	Lukoil Genesis 5W-30
Synthetics	0W-30	Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30
For worn out engines	5W-40	Castrol Magnatec 5W-40

Important: if the engine “eats” oil (>1 liter per 10,000 km), do not use 0W-20 - it is too liquid for worn-out QG15DE/QG18DE.

Why does Almera Classic start only with the gas pedal pressed?

This is a symptom of one of the problems:

• 🔥 Candles are filled with gasoline — you need to unscrew them and dry them.
• 🛢️ Air leak through a cracked intake manifold pipe or gasket.
• 📉 The idle air controller (IAC) is faulty - cleaned or changed.

How much does cold start diagnostics cost at a service station?

The cost depends on the region and depth of inspection:

• 🔧 Basic diagnostics (scanner + checking the battery, spark plugs, starter) - 1 500–2 500 ₽.
• 🛢️ Full (including fuel pressure, compression, oscilloscope) - 3 000–5 000 ₽.
• ❄️ “Winter check-up” (battery + oil + filters) — 5 000–8 000 ₽.

Advice: Before going to the service station, check it yourself battery, candles And air filter - this will save time and money.