Starting problem - 95 XE V6

RobXEV6 · Nov 3rd, 2009, 08:52 AM

Need some help from the HB gurus:

Bought a 95 XE V6 a few weeks ago. Usually it starts right up, but sometimes it doesn't even crank. Seems like when it's cold out and it sits a few days, it won't start. When it doesn't crank, sometimes I hear the relays on the passenger fender chattering (lots of clicking/buzzing), sometimes there's no clicks. No sounds at all from the starter or solenoid. Sometimes if I hold the key in the start position for about 4 seconds, it will suddenly crank and start.

Here's what's been replaced and tested:

- Starter and solenoid - 2 years ago.
- Ignition switch - 2 years ago.
- Battery - 2 years ago

Connecting a second battery makes no difference.

Rapping on the solenoid/starter didn't help.

The positive battery cable has a crack in the purple/black insulation close to the solenoid, but otherwise seems OK (good voltage at the starter lug, zero resistance between the solenoid connector and the connector behind the battery that connects to the ignition circuit.)

Seems like if I can get it to crank once, it is fine for a while.

WTF? Suggestions?

Rob

zanegrey · Nov 3rd, 2009, 09:04 AM

clean and service bat cables.
check and or replace starter relay ..

check and or replace interlock switch..

check and or replace starter.. just becoz it is 2 years old does not mean it is not bad..

RobXEV6 · Nov 3rd, 2009, 10:21 AM

Hmm, apparently this is a common problem:

94 Nissan Pickup Won't Start - Car Forums and Automotive Chat
The intermittent Nissan Mark Giammalvo
Foreign Service | Motor | Find Articles at BNET

- Planning on replacing the + batt cable since it has a break in the insulation by the solenoid anyway. (Ouch, $$).

- "check and or replace starter relay" : If this is the "inhibitor" relay on the R side fender, I've checked it...but will check again. This time I'll pull it and put it in the freezer for an hour; the no-start seems to happen much more when cold.

- "check and or replace interlock switch" : If this is clutch interlock on the floor, someone else already bypassed it, but I'll check the connection again (and solder the fecker if needed ~

)

- "check and or replace starter.." : Was in the shop a week ago for work and the mechanic tested it, so ... if everything else misses, I'll recheck this.

Pretty annoying problem on an otherwise great truck.

Thanks,
Rob

zanegrey · Nov 3rd, 2009, 10:32 AM

it is a common problem that the truck was not serviced correctly ..

RobXEV6 · Nov 3rd, 2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zanegrey

it is a common problem that the truck was not serviced correctly ..

You mean this particular problem not being diagnosed and serviced properly, or bad service ends up causing this problem?

zanegrey · Nov 3rd, 2009, 10:44 AM

a properly serviced truck does not need to be diagnosed..

RobXEV6 · Nov 3rd, 2009, 12:31 PM

true...

RobXEV6 · Nov 5th, 2009, 09:29 AM

...replacing the positive battery cable/subharness.

And there's no longer a delay after turning the key to start; it starts cranking right away.

The cable did not have high resistance when I tested it, but the solenoid wire had a couple of cracks in the insulation so maybe the wire had internal corrosion causing the intermittant.

Rob

zanegrey · Nov 5th, 2009, 10:09 AM

number one on my hit parade..