my friend's 94 nissan sentra won't start the engine does not even make an attempt to turn but the lights and radio works and i know the battery is only about a year old. can any one give me any suggestions on what to look for to figure out whats's the problem.

 

Just cause the radio and lights come on doesn't mean it isn't the battery... check that too... if it doesn't even attempt to turn over, i would check the starter too

 

It could very well be the battery as fiirkan said. It only takes a little bit of juice to get the radio and lights running, however it takes a considerable amount to get the car to kick over.

 

yup, test the battery...but before you do, pull off the battery cables and make sure they're good and clean. make sure they're tight when you re-install them. Check the wiring to your starter, and if nothing else works, give it a boost...and while your buddy tries to start it, tap the starter with a hammer. Sometimes its enough to get the starter to kick over...and if it is, drive the nissan to the nearest parts store and buy a new starter!

 

ok thanks. will check it tomorrow.

 

sounds like a bad ground connection

 

take the starter,alternator, and deven the battery to the nearest parts store(checker/kragen/shucks) whatevers around, and have them test everything, one of those is phucked imo...

 

does it make a clicking noise when you try to start it?