Josh408 Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 '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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
govols74n Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 Take your starter out and have it tested...that's exactly what happened when my starter went poof.......can you hear the starter engage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh408 Posted February 28, 2007 Author Share Posted February 28, 2007 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
govols74n Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 It should. check your wires going to it though just in case....someone will hook you up with an answer soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted March 1, 2007 Share Posted March 1, 2007 If the brushes on the starter are worn enough, it won't click. Mine went just like that...turned slower and slower, then no starter at all. Pulled it, took it apart, low and behold, the brushes were worn completely out. I ordered new brushes for $7 and it got rebuilt on the floor in the garage...it's been working fine ever since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
govols74n Posted March 1, 2007 Share Posted March 1, 2007 If the brushes on the starter are worn enough, it won't click. Mine went just like that...turned slower and slower, then no starter at all. Pulled it, took it apart, low and behold, the brushes were worn completely out. I ordered new brushes for $7 and it got rebuilt on the floor in the garage...it's been working fine ever since. U DA MAN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5523Pathfinder Posted March 1, 2007 Share Posted March 1, 2007 If you think its your starter, give it a tap with a long prybar, screwdriver or hammer while someone else trys to start it. Make sure its in neutral and the E-brake is on first. If it starts, yep starter. If not, listen to where the clicking is coming from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
govols74n Posted March 1, 2007 Share Posted March 1, 2007 If you think its your starter, give it a tap with a long prybar, screwdriver or hammer while someone else trys to start it. Make sure its in neutral and the E-brake is on first. If it starts, yep starter. If not, listen to where the clicking is coming from. But keep in mind when it's completely gone, thats it....won't do a thing even with a tap....but it should get you running once or twice.... :idea: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
94extreme Posted March 1, 2007 Share Posted March 1, 2007 weak battery? that's the exact symptom too. i'd check that first then check all the wireing between the battery and the relay. it's easier then having to get at the starter. good luck and update us with your progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey.T Posted March 1, 2007 Share Posted March 1, 2007 Manual... Just make sure you park it on a hill with room too Rollllll... Swaping out the starter is pretty easy... Like was mentioned previously, pull it take it in to be tested and you got your core with you.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh408 Posted March 1, 2007 Author Share Posted March 1, 2007 (edited) 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! Edited March 1, 2007 by Josh408 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardoni Posted March 1, 2007 Share Posted March 1, 2007 Any chance it's a crappy replacement relay? Mine did this and I replaced with a relay from Nissan- no problems since [knocking on wood]. -gardoni Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh408 Posted March 1, 2007 Author Share Posted March 1, 2007 A guess there is a chance the relay is bad. Is there any way to test a relay? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prplhz96 Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 I have the same exact problem with mine. The only trick that I learned over the past few months is to wiggle the key while trying to start and it turns over. I believe my problem is the ignition switch(lock cylinder). Whenever I get around to it, I am going to pick up a new one and see what happens. For now, I'll just stick with the "wiggle". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87pathy Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 sounds to me that you may have leakage.. as in power leakage to ground. Generally DC power circuits do funny stuff with bad grounds. Some times it works, some times it doesn't Just something else to check Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh408 Posted March 2, 2007 Author Share Posted March 2, 2007 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 If the ignition switch is screwing you up, I'd try a new one and see how that affects your problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Yeah I had the same problem here.. sometimes I would go out and try and start the car and it would start right up.. other times it would just click.. and after about 3 or 4 more tries it would finally start up like a champ. But it hasn't been doing it for the past 2 weeks for me.. so maybe it was just my battery was low. I think I am going to take the starter out and clean it up any way, don't want to get stuck somewhere. I might attempt to rebuild it mine -Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh408 Posted March 5, 2007 Author Share Posted March 5, 2007 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh408 Posted March 6, 2007 Author Share Posted March 6, 2007 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prplhz96 Posted March 6, 2007 Share Posted March 6, 2007 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. do you have an interlock switch?????? Reason I ask, is my truck does the same thing even with the interlock button depressed, when it acts up that is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pathfinder93 Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 Old thread, but looking for help. I think I am having the same problem. I have tried the interlock switch and I am getting nothing. <<Frustrated as hell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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