SC88Pathy Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 So this evening I tried to start the Pathfinder and it wouldn't run. It turned over, but refused to start. I could smell unburned gas from the exhaust, so I don't think it's the fuel pump. I finally managed to get it to start by pumping the gas pedal while turning it over over a 10 minute period of time. Any ideas on why the truck isn't starting? Some more notes: it did this twice tonight, so I don't think it's just a one time thing. Once it started it ran just fine. Between the first time and second time it did this I got gas, so it isn't just low on gas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edicer2 Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 check your spark plugs, distrubtor cap, wires, and battery. idk something to check. Also see if anything is unpluged in the engine bay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY1PATH Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 flooding maybe? I had an injector take a dump, filled my TB and more, I pulled the fuel relay and turned it till it started. when it did start it ran for about 3 or 4 min on excess unburnt fuel in the manifold and such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgt Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 hi sc88-I'm sure you may have already seen my iginition switch post earlier. But that was my exact symptoms. I thought it was a bad ground, then a fuel pump or relay, or a fusible link....it was the iginition switch on mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nige Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 i had the same problem and replacing the starter fixed it. That was after i checked all my wiring and noticed everything was alright there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC88Pathy Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 hi sc88-I'm sure you may have already seen my iginition switch post earlier. But that was my exact symptoms. I thought it was a bad ground, then a fuel pump or relay, or a fusible link....it was the iginition switch on mine. Actually I didn't see that post Could you link me to it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC88Pathy Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 check your spark plugs, distrubtor cap, wires, and battery. idk something to check. Also see if anything is unpluged in the engine bay Checked the cap, the plugs, and wires. All were on tight, so unless somethings wrong internally I don't think that's the cause. Battery is brand spanking new, an Optima Red Top (which I'm really glad I decided to buy because it had no problem turning the engine over while I was trying to get the engine running) I didn't notice anything unplugged last night, I'll check again today though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC88Pathy Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 flooding maybe? I had an injector take a dump, filled my TB and more, I pulled the fuel relay and turned it till it started. when it did start it ran for about 3 or 4 min on excess unburnt fuel in the manifold and such. Hmm this could be it, because I did smell strong gas fumes when I was turning the engine over Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edicer2 Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Checked the cap, the plugs, and wires. All were on tight, so unless somethings wrong internally I don't think that's the cause. Battery is brand spanking new, an Optima Red Top (which I'm really glad I decided to buy because it had no problem turning the engine over while I was trying to get the engine running) I didn't notice anything unplugged last night, I'll check again today though ok well thats good it was worth a try it happened to me so i figured i would throw it out there! goodluck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgt Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 http://npora.ipbhost.com//index.php?showto...mp;#entry341406 is the link. click on the picture and you'll see where mine was faulty. It'll take 10 minutes to pop off the plastic covers and peek at the ignition switch. Check to see if the black plastic piece on the switch is flush. Actually I didn't see that post Could you link me to it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamzan Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 http://npora.ipbhost.com//index.php?showto...mp;#entry341406 is the link. click on the picture and you'll see where mine was faulty. It'll take 10 minutes to pop off the plastic covers and peek at the ignition switch. Check to see if the black plastic piece on the switch is flush. Ah yes, that is common on a lot of older cars. My grandmas car had the same issue a few months ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC88Pathy Posted October 30, 2008 Author Share Posted October 30, 2008 Thanks for the link jgt. So that's part of the ignition, near the steering shaft, and I'v just got to remove the plastic around the steering shaft to get a look at it right? OK this morning the Pathy started three times no problem. When I tried to start it tonight though it started ran for half a second and died then wouldn't start running again for a while. Same deal as last night, heavy smell of unburned fuel from the exhaust, pumped the throttle, and eventually it started to run. And even then it really didn't want to, not firing on all cylinders until I shut it down and started it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mws Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 Your symptoms are indicating an ignition problem. The injectors are firing, hence the gas smell. The running rough afterwords would be due to some of the plugs being wet from the flooding. Definitely check the ignition switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC88Pathy Posted November 1, 2008 Author Share Posted November 1, 2008 (edited) Ok pulled the covers apart and looked at the ignition switch The plastic end cap does wiggle a little bit, it's not tight. Is this the issue? Also the plastic bit is brown not black... That being said I got the car to start 5 times in a row no matter how I wiggled it while starting... Edited November 1, 2008 by SC88Pathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC88Pathy Posted November 1, 2008 Author Share Posted November 1, 2008 OK upon further inspection it does feel like I can push the cap in and then something pushes it back out slightly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 That's what she said... B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgt Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 sc88-try lightly tapping it flush w/ a screwdriver like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC88Pathy Posted November 2, 2008 Author Share Posted November 2, 2008 Well what I am doing right now is leaving the plastic steering column covers off, and holding the end cap down when it refuses to start I'll try tapping it with a screwdriver, although I think replacing the switch is the best idea. Especially since it's only like $30 from rock auto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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