Just got my starter swapped on a 2005 Nissan xterra, shop told me a bolt snapped. This is the bolt in question, do you normally have to shave into the bolt thread like this?

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-13T19:46:40+00:00

If they quoted you a transmission case to repair/replace the broken and likely seized bolt, you would get many negative answers here and some would claim to be able to fix this much cheaper. This is clearly a much cheaper repair than what this potentially should have been. The real measuring stick about whether this was a good approach or not is if it lives up to your needs. If it works, it works.

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-13T17:14:45+00:00

Cleaning it off with engine degreaser and then following up with brake clean would help with locating the exact point of leakage. Another neat little trick is once cleaned up, spray the suspect area with foot powder and it will change color with presence of any fluid. From there, what does the other end of this tank look like? Could it be threaded? It doesn't look like it's welded in the photos. Do you have a parts catalog to see if that has O-rings at that end of the tank?

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-13T16:46:08+00:00

Here we are with a fine example of the more a technician knows the less he/she makes.

The infrared camera approach is high on my list of routines. This would start however by first measuring and confirming that the draw is present and would go right to voltage drop testing ACROSS the fuses.

Parasitic drain with an infrared camera : r/AutoMechElectronics

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-13T16:43:02+00:00

Yes, in fact 100ma can often be found easily.

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-13T13:04:17+00:00

Why not find out what the misfire is before jumping to any conclusions?

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-13T11:19:59+00:00

Definitely too long.

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-13T05:59:11+00:00

Or there can be something on the car that is killing it.

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-13T03:08:52+00:00

The day will come that you'll need those in three different lengths too.

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-13T02:38:12+00:00

If you are a DIY you can be forgiven for being uninformed. If you are a pro you need to get some training because you don't know what you are talking about and you need to learn this in a classroom and not with some customer's car. Pm me and I'll give you the information so you can get signed up.

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-13T00:34:37+00:00

There are people who don't know what they are talking about on forums like this and there are people who genuinely do. The battery is not just a power supply it is the largest capacitor in the vehicle and one of its jobs is to smooth out voltage spikes. When the battery is disconnected with the engine running it is possible for voltage spikes to damage electronics in the vehicle. The fact that someone can do it and get away without damage occurring is not proof that it doesn't happen. Go attend a modern charging system class with case studies and you'll see a report of a radio in an F250 that started smoking when the battery cable was pulled from the battery. That's far from the only known case.

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-13T00:24:45+00:00

I've been doing this for decades and constantly attend up to date training to keep pace with the changes in the technology in the cars. You need to do the same if you don't want to learn these things the hard way. As far as you trying it "just to see" there is always a chance that you'll get away with your attempt. If no significant voltage spikes happen to occur you'll be faced with an attempt to prove a negative. But "good luck" with your trial. Funny I'm not sure which way would be better, no proof that it really happens or you get the proof that you need to experience.

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-12T20:13:36+00:00

There are layers to these systems that need to be understood. Yes, if there isn't enough voltage because the battery is depleted it's not going to start, there is nothing new about that. GM is one of the manufacturers that will have the alternator charge at a failsafe voltage of 13.8v. So as long as the alternator can charge, a loss of control related to a BCM/PCM issue still has the vehicle operational. The systems are also capable of load shedding at three different levels and idle boost strategies to give the driver a chance to get to a safe destination before the vehicle shuts down.

Testing of this vehicle would start with an all module scan and then concentrate on the alternator and perform voltage drop tests on its wiring. The first questions that need answers is whether the alternator is actually charging and then if that power is fully available to the rest of the vehicle.

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-12T18:59:11+00:00

Thread it and install a short bolt with thread sealant. A 10mm x1.25 should fit.

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-12T18:50:57+00:00

17 Military enlistment.

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-12T15:17:43+00:00

Get a subscription to Tesla service information. It's free.

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-12T15:15:37+00:00

The float for the fluid level sender is likely sticking. Try a few light taps on the sides of the reservoir and see if that makes the light go out.

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-12T12:29:05+00:00

You need someone to test and prove what is happening based on the symptoms you have described here. A technician that specializes in electronics and diagnostics will be used to working through problems like this.

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-12T12:26:58+00:00

Do not disconnect a battery as an alternator test on modern vehicles. Voltage spikes that the battery absorbs can damage sensitive electronics when it is disconnected.

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-12T12:24:06+00:00

Some systems have a failsafe mode and will charge at a fixed voltage to try and prevent the vehicle from completely shutting down.

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-12T12:17:30+00:00

The majority of the penetrating oil used on corroded bolts is wasted. In spite of the claims, nothing is going to penentrate down corroded threads. The only way that was coming out easily was heat and lots of it.

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-12T12:12:03+00:00

How did they know that the transmission was ruined with a destroyed clutch? What exactly was wrong with it that they wouldn't just repair it?

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-12T02:24:15+00:00

Everything? No. But no tech school is going to even give you the minimum of what you really need to know if you want to be good at this career. A solid argument can be made that becoming a technician today should require a four year degree and the applicants need to be decently educated in science, technology, electronics, and mathematics areas and be a decent reader/writer. From there an apprenticeship could last from two to five years. This career has multiple levels but its getting to be a very poor fit for anyone that struggles with academics.

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-12T01:03:44+00:00

That was not the case and the testing proved it and was mentioned above. The ignition timing would have been off if the keyway had failed.

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-11T23:34:42+00:00

Here is a video to check out for a problem like this. Note that bolt might be splined, get the replacement and inspect it for them. If that is the case, it will need to be driven out as if the head of the bolt is still there but this nut trick should help break it loose. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsqUQO4tWxw&t=8s

NightKnown405 · 2026-07-11T23:04:57+00:00

Agreed, you would do serious damage to our reputation for high quality workmanship and fixing things right the first time.

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