Josh408

The problem was the clutch switch. They replaced it an the car starts great everytime. They also informed me that my ignition switch may also be failing and it should be replaced within the next 6 months if possible. $140 later im on the road.

UPDATE : I went out to start her up on saturday and nothing. No clicking, no starting, nada. Sunday I tested power to the starter, it was there. I live in an apartment and dont have risers or anything, and didnt want to work on it in the gutter, so I took it to the mechanic. They called me back 4 hours later and said " We cant detiremine the problem at this time, but our "master technician" will be in on monday if you want to leave it here." I left it there, hoping to find out more today.(monday) wife drove me to work today

When i monkey around with the key sometimes it helps some times not. If it was the ignition would i still hear the funky click in the engine compartment? Wouldent it just stop working at the ignition. Another thing to add is sometimes the ignition lock security thing is SO HARD to push in to remove my key i have to play with it and put some porce into it... i took of the cover and checked it out and it looks fine. nothings loose or noticably wrong, of course the problem is likely not aparent from looking at the outside. I have checked and double checked every connection i can as far as negative grounds and power. They are all clean they are all connected firmly. I cant find my volt meter to test the power but i might go buy one if a thourough search does not locate it this weekend. prplhz96 : it sounds like we have the same issue man. It will always start, it has never left me stranded i just have to keep toying with it sometimes it takes like 20 tries.... but then fires up like a champ. Its frustrating. :furious: thank you all for the advice. I really dont want to take it in to a mechanic espacially since im in a new town and i have mechanic trust issues.

A guess there is a chance the relay is bad. Is there any way to test a relay?

Thanks for all the info! This problem has been going on for over a week now, i have started it upwards of 25 times since it started, it usually takes between 3 and 10 turns of the key before it starts. When it does start the starter is not slow it cranks it up just like normal. IF it was the brushes then it would just die right? it wouldnet torture me like this for a week.. :confused: I inspected all the connections yesterday after work, crawled around under the truck and made sure it was all secure and not corroded or deteriorated, i did not do the hammer tap test, i will do that this evening. Can i tap it my self then go try and start it, or does it need to be done while somone is turning the key? I might also mention that once its been started and runs a few minutes and i just turn it off and turn it on a few times it seems to work much better then the first time of the day. First start i have to try almost 10 times for sure. Thanks again for your assistance!

When it does not start the starter does not make any sound at all, and does not engage. When it does start the starter works normally. If it was the starter wouldent it click at the starter durring the failed attempts?

'95 XE 3L V6 - VG30E 4x4 Manual Trans. When i turn the key i hear a clicking sound from the firewall on the passengers side of the vehicle. It clicks between 1 and 7 times with no pattern. Sometimes it will click, click click, then start, sometimes it clicks then no starting. About 1 out of 10 times the vehicle starts normally. The headlights/radio/AC all get power when the key is in the ACC position. I do not think it is a power issue, there is no corrosion on my battery termials. I have checked cables for corrosion or deterioration, none noticeable. The starter was replaced within the last year with a brand new OEM part at a nissan dealership. I had a buddy turn the key while i was under the hood and the clicking seems to come from the bank of relays on the passender side of the engine compartment near the battery. If i put my hand on one of the relays i can actually feel a ticking that coresponds with the noise. I am 99% sure this is the interlock relay. I took the relay to Kragen (local auto parts store) and the part he pulled up on the computer was the "starter relay / selenoid" The diagram and plugs matched so i purchased this and replaced it. The vehicle started 5 times in a row perfectly. I thought i had fixed it and returned victorious to my couch. The next morning i went to start her up and the problem is still there, exact same symptoms. What is troubleing is sometimes it starts normally and has full starting power. What is the best method of troubleshooting IF it is another relay or what else it could be? Thanks in advace.