Nissan Micra 1996 won't start

[hugahhl04]

Please excuse my lack of car mechanics knowledge...

We have a Nissan Micra 1.3 1996 model, manual. Mileage low at around 22,000 miles. Passed its MOT end July 2010. New battery fitted just before. Had a drive out two weeks ago, when it happily drove about a mile.

Car now won't start. Initially it fired up, but then engine cut out. Tried again, engine didn't make any firing up noises, although the dash lights lit up, fans started working. Tried another time and nothing at all.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Burnerman]

Two things spring to mind.....Micra's of this era don't like to be started up and have the engine switched off almost straight away. Excess fuel enters the cylinders and the engine refuses to start. Nissan know all about this one, and produced a modified wiring harness to prevent it.
Secondly, you need to hear the fuel pump whirring as you turn the ignition on....if the pump isn't responding, the car aint going anywhere!
After all this - I am presuming that the engine is cranking over on the starter motor!
John