Hi there,
I have scanned briefly over the forums and didn't come up with a specific answer to my problems.
First let me explain. I just purchased as-is/as-see a Green 1993 Pathfinder SE-V6 manual. This Pathfinder has a little over 420k KMS on her and is a Canadian model. When I test drove the vehicle she was very sound, transmission was very firm in terms of shifting and clutching. Everything seemed to be just fine.
On the fourth day I parked the Pathfinder for a couple of hours, went out to start her up and nothing. I can hear relay clicking under the dash over the fuse panel. There appears to be ample amount of power for lights, windows, accessories etc however not to turn over the engine. In addition to the clicking sounds by the fuse box I have had a friend turn the key while under the hood to hear only clicking coming from what seems to be three relays mounted on the passenger side wheel well (front). I do not hear any clicking sounds at the starter (unless it is being masked by the sounds of the relays clicking). I do not hear any spinning. Nothing at all. I do however hear the fuel pump turning on each time the ignition key is turned.
When I first had this problem they trued to boost the Pathfinder using an Eliminator product and it did not work. When AMA came their boost also did not work. IE there was no change in behavior when the key was turned. After returning home with the Pathfinder I attempted a rolling start down a hill (like a fool I initially tried 1st gear, and popped the clutch (with the key on) nothing. While still rolling down the bulk of the hill I attempted to pop the clutch while in second gear and still nothing. Near the end I attempted to use 3rd gear and still nothing. I would like to add that before the rolling start when I would turn the ignition key to the on position there was no sounds other than the clicking. Since having attempted a rolling start when I turn the ignition key to the on position there is a short, steady beep that can be heard. Beep-beep-beep-beep. This is different than the door open chime or any other sounds I have heard this truck make.
I own a Haynes Manual for this model and year of truck and have started to work back on their recommended ignition system check list however I have ran up against a question that is not answered in the manual.
When testing the resistance across the coil, Which of the two terminals in the clip is the negative lead? The test suggests that I test from the high tension terminal (this is the one leading to the distributor) and says to test with the negative terminal. My problem is that I get a reading on either terminal. Is this normal? The returned value on both terminals while my ohm meters other lead is touching the high tension terminal seems to be in acceptable ranges but should both terminals return a resistance value? Does this indicate my coil is bad? I am going to reconnect the coil now and continue with the remaining suggested tests from the manual I just wanted to touch base with someone to see if I have some how early on isolated my potential problem so I do not have to continue breaking things down to check.
Sorry for my running on, and I hope that I have described my problems as best as possible.
One final question. Should I just go straight to the ECU and get it to return to me the list of error codes it has stored? Should I continue my step-by-step testing of the ignition system?
It has been 20 years since owning a vehicle at all and my backyard skills are quite lacking but I am not faint of heart with a set of tools or getting dirty.
Thanks. (Great forum btw I am very glad I stumbled across it)