87 nissan pathfinder wont start

May 9th, 2003, 03:46 PM

I have a problem that's driving me crazy. Recently I had to play with the alarm in order to get the auto to start or even crank for that matter. I have disconnected the alarm altogether. I also have replaced the starter. Now my problem is still there. In order for me to get the auto to crank or start I have to jump the ignition from underneath the column or else I get absolutely nothing. I don't even get the idiot lights to come on, no headlights, horn, radio, nothing with the key in the on position. When I do get the auto to start by jumping the wires, I've noticed that I have to goose the engine a few times in order to get the gauges to work(this happened even before I changed the starter or disconnected the alarm) Can anyone tell me what to look at to solve this problem?? I'm leaning towards the ignition switch but I dont want to start changing everything if that's not the problem, I already started that by changing the starter..

PS: Sorry for the long post

May 9th, 2003, 07:47 PM

same thing is happening with my 93 pickup.. wont start but i'm getting headlights/status lights etc.. with the key turn. When you took your alarm off did it make it any better? Because i had someone go thru all the electronics in my car to figure out whats wrong and everything seems to be working right.. could it be a malfunction in the engine kill system of the alarm system?

Sorry if i didnt answer your question..

May 10th, 2003, 06:37 AM

Nope, disconnecting the alarm didn't help at all. I'm waiting for my brother to bring home the service manual so we can go through the wiring to see what gives.. I'll post the results when finished. It might be awhile..

aaronford · May 10th, 2003, 10:08 AM

Look into the battery terminal/post connection. Next look at the power distribution block mounted on the battery clamp. If neither of these are suspect, look into the ignition switch. A multimeter and a wiring diagram would be very helpful in this. I would lean toward the switch in your case, but I have seen alot of older Nissans have problems with the battery post/block arrangement. It always helps to cover all the bases prior to tearing anything apart. Let us know what you find. aaron

To the other guy with the 93 Nissan, it sounds like he has a bad battery terminal or a bad battery. Do your headlights dim or go out when you try to start it? Try twisting the batt terminal to see if it starts then. Its a temp fix, but it might point the way. Aaron

May 10th, 2003, 11:34 AM

Aaron,
Thanks for the reply. As for the power distribution block and the terminal post connection, already tried with no luck. I guess I'll have to try the ignition switch.

aaronford · May 10th, 2003, 04:56 PM

It really sounds like a switch problem. The power block mounted on the post powers the switch so be sure that the switch is getting power for this wire. Removing the switch and analyzing it with an ohm (multi) meter should prove one way or the other. Aaron

May 10th, 2003, 05:32 PM

OK..Still have to put the multimeter on the switch but, I'm told that they tried the switch first with no luck. They didn't state if they test the switch or if they just tried to change it outright. Anyway they ended up putting the old switch back in once the problem persisted..
This was before the power block and the starter was changed..

May 15th, 2003, 03:09 PM

Hello, can anyone help me here?

aaronford · May 16th, 2003, 08:03 PM

Hey, your gonna hafta chase wires, draw a diagram and shoot the prob with a multimeter. You say sometimes the switch powers the truck and sometimes not. Start with the power wire from the batt to the fuse panel, to the switch. Then check from the switch on. The power wire to the switch ought to be the largest in diam so it is pretty easy to spot. Find the same wire at the batt. Hook that side back up and turn the switch on. See what wires are fed and chase them. Its an easy concept that will take some time to accomplish, but you can do it.
I am not sure what wires you crossed to start the truck. You did not say how you did this, but I assume you powered the coil and then bumped the starter?
My next idea is dealing with the horn and headlights. These are not powered by the switch. So look for the main power wire to the fuse/relay panel under the hood. Find the circuit breaker for the headlights and chase it back, do the same with the horn and the interior fuse panel. Your problem is in this circuit. Aaron

May 17th, 2003, 02:15 PM

Aaron,
Thanks for the reply. I'm just building up the time to do this. Soon as I have the time I'll post the results.

Thanks

1997XETruck · May 17th, 2003, 10:44 PM

Have you checked the starter relay? Seems to be a very common problem on the Q45 and I've heard of it on other Nissans too . It's usually mounted by itself on one of the side walls in the engine bay.

Since you're not getting anything in the ON position (radio, etc), I'm not sure that the starter relay could be it, but I'm leaning toward a relay sticking somewhere. When you're trying to start the truck, everything else normally drops out (in order to send all available current to the starter) - maybe there's a relay that controls this?

Heath

May 18th, 2003, 09:07 AM

Heath,
I want to trace all the wiring from the ignition switch itself to see if the problem lies therein. My brother on the other hand believes it to be a relay problem like yourself( he is a mechanic who happens to work at Nissan). He'll probably turn out to be right, but every now and then I like to prove him wrong. Let's just hope that whomever is right that we figure it out soon. I'll post the results. I also have a 93 J30 with headlight problems that I'm hoping once I change this headlight relay solves the problem.