radex7 Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 After accidentally draining my battery in the middle of nowhere, and humbly calling park rangers to drive out to remote location and giving me a jump, I started parking "nose down" so I can push-start the car in case something silly like that happens to me again. Fortunately the lesson was learned and I did not need to do that. But just a few days ago, I was out in the woods again, parked as usually - nose down, I decided to push-start my pathfinder (2001 SE, 5-speed) for practice. Imagine my surprise when the car did not turn over! It was a long and steep slope, I tried it in 1,2, and 3 gears, and everytime after I released my clutch I just kept rolling. Before you ask - the key was in, and turned to the ON position. Do you guys have any Ideas/suggestion why I wasn't able to do that? Did I miss something? Could me being in 4WD at the moment have anything to do with it? As a precaution + good skill to have I would really like to solve it as I spend a lot of time in the woods. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebelord Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 Most likely caused by the neutral safety switch. Needs to be in neutral to turn key to even try to start. Other wise cuts power to ignition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunya Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 I'm thinking he has a stick and is just trying to catch it in gear. R50s have the "interlock" switch? I don't know if it's in my head but I can only get mine to catch if I click it over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverPath Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 (edited) How worn is your clutch? Did the rolling motion slow down such that the engine was turning over just not firing? Or was it unimpeded like with he clutch in? Edited November 2, 2013 by SilverPath Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radex7 Posted November 2, 2013 Author Share Posted November 2, 2013 How worn is your clutch? Did the rolling motion slow down such that the engine was turning over just not firing? Or was it unimpeded like with he clutch in? The clutch is fine, and picked up as expected, engine was turning over but it was not firing - just like you said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverPath Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 How long does it take to fire when you use the key? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radex7 Posted November 3, 2013 Author Share Posted November 3, 2013 How long does it take to fire when you use the key? 2-3 seconds tops, not sure sure howe to describe this but imagine two-three cranks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96Pathfinder4x4 Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 (edited) Certain that it was in the ON position and not the Accessory? Are you trying in 1st or 2nd gear? If it's a one-time occurrence, it was probably just a sticky switch.... Edited November 4, 2013 by 96Pathfinder4x4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linewar Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 (edited) I may know the culprit: I recently replaced all the pedal rubber stoppers on my 96 with a stick shift. There are two on the brake pedal - one for the brake light switch and one for the cruise, and there are three on the clutch - one for the cruise, one to keep metal from rubbing on metal as you release the clutch, and one engages a safety switch that requires the clutch to be depressed to start. Look under, where the pedals are, and the switch will be on the firewall where the clutch pedal touches at full depression. You should be able to rig up a stopper with some duct tape or something that you can use to tape over it to push in the switch. That will tell the ECU the clutch is depressed so it will enable fuel to the injectors, and the mechanical action of the clutch should engage the engine. Anyone see any potential liabilities to this safety workaround? Edited November 4, 2013 by linewar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle94 Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 Afaik the only thing the clutch safety switch does is not allow the starter to engage or turn... It should be able to roll start. I've done it many times on cars that have this switch. And my brother has a 92 s10 with one that does it. I find it really odd that it won't start. Hopefully the op has the key turned to the "run" position during push starting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle94 Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 If you disable the clutch safety switch you will be able to start the truck in gear with the clutch not having to be pushed In. Thus the truck will lurch forward and can hit something as a result. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linewar Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 Afaik the only thing the clutch safety switch does is not allow the starter to engage or turn... It should be able to roll start. I've done it many times on cars that have this switch. And my brother has a 92 s10 with one that does it. I find it really odd that it won't start. Hopefully the op has the key turned to the "run" position during push starting. That may be true. I'm thinking it has a built-in redundancy of disabling fuel flow in addition to not allowing the starter to engage. If it doesn't work, it may be a fuel disabling feature of the security system, since the engine is turning but not firing. Otherwise, I'm at a loss. If you disable the clutch safety switch you will be able to start the truck in gear with the clutch not having to be pushed In. Thus the truck will lurch forward and can hit something as a result. Always a good decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushnut Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 growing up in a VW garage, my old man would always push start a vehicle in reverse. not sure why but maybe has something to do with gear ratios? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96Pathfinder4x4 Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 growing up in a VW garage, my old man would always push start a vehicle in reverse. not sure why but maybe has something to do with gear ratios? That's surprising as the reverse gear in Vdubs is the weakest gear. I miss my baja. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nefarious Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 reverse is usually the shortest gear. has the most aggressive ratio to jolt the engine harder with less required speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushnut Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 I wonder if it works better on a diesel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saa1 Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 For what its worth, I have a US spec 2001 4wd 5sp manual with 3.5 gas engine and have developed a problem with the clutch safety switch this week. As a result, I have roll or push started it 3 times in the past 2 days without any problem. Ignition to on, get up to speed and engage clutch in 2nd gear. Don't know about yours but for 2001, there is no issue with needing to bypass clutch safety switch as it only impacts starter motor, not ignition circuit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radex7 Posted November 10, 2013 Author Share Posted November 10, 2013 For what its worth, I have a US spec 2001 4wd 5sp manual with 3.5 gas engine and have developed a problem with the clutch safety switch this week. As a result, I have roll or push started it 3 times in the past 2 days without any problem. Ignition to on, get up to speed and engage clutch in 2nd gear. Don't know about yours but for 2001, there is no issue with needing to bypass clutch safety switch as it only impacts starter motor, not ignition circuit. Interesting, and weird. Well, I will give it a shot again eventually, will also try to do it in reverse as well. Thank you all for your input. Feel free to share if you have any more ideas. r Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now