1996 Pathfinder won't start.

Aug 7th, 2003, 05:24 AM

It won't crank at all. However, my battery is still fine so I guess I should look for broken fuse or starter relay?

Where are these two items located? My fuses under the dash are not labeled and I can't find them in the owners manual either.

I would also like to know the location of starter relay.

Any other help is also appreciated!
Thanks!

stangmata50l · Aug 7th, 2003, 09:26 AM

Im not sure where your fuse is but what I would do is just go through all those fuses one by one. Thats probably the best way to go. I THINK the starter relay is right down on your starter. It depends on if you have a 4cyl or 6cyl as to exactly where it is, but it should be there.

When you turn the key do you hear a click? If you do hear the clicking than your solenoid is good. If not your solenoid may still be good. Just make sure to check for broken and corroded wires as well.

1997XETruck · Aug 7th, 2003, 10:17 AM

Look for a blue relay bolted to the fender or firewall. They're typically not in the fuse box. When you find the relay, try tapping on it while someone holds the key and see if it starts. If it starts you know you've found the problem. The starter relay is a fairly common problem.

Heath

stangmata50l · Aug 7th, 2003, 11:47 AM

You can also take the relays and try switching them. They are all the same realys.

Ian

himilefrontier · Aug 7th, 2003, 12:52 PM

It could also be the starter solenoid or starter motor.Use a test light and have someone else turn the key while you check to see if it lights by the starter.work backwards from the starter though the system till you have it light, this will show you where the fault is.

aaronford · Aug 7th, 2003, 02:03 PM

Hey, before you go too nuts, make sure the battery clamps on the posts aren't cracked. Nissan uses a problematic terminal clamp that cracks and causes the problem you are writing about. Look at your headlights while someone attempts to start the truck, if they go out, then it probably is a battery or clamp problem. The next step is to make sure the truck is in park or the clutch is fully disengaged. Look into these circuits for problems as well. Good Luck, (wish I was looking at it, it would be so much easier!!!)

Aug 7th, 2003, 05:00 PM

Thanks for all the help!
I think I found the problem. It was the starter itself.
I just hit the starter while attempting to start....and starter worked! Now the starter starts and car cranks just fine.

I have new question though. Do you think I should go ahead and replace the starter? It starts fine now. There's no need to hit the starter either. It will starts fine.

I will probably keep it like this for now and see what happens, and make sure I will keep that stick in my car!

Any help/comment is appreciated!

jadcock · Aug 7th, 2003, 08:00 PM

Yes, I would procede to replace the starter. It sounds like there's a dead spot on the starter armature and you just happened to "land on it" last time. When you hit it with juice applied, it vibrated the starter enough to jerk it off that dead spot and it keeps starting just because it didn't happen to land on that dead spot yet. But it will again in the future...and probably at the most inopportune time. I'd go ahead and change it out this weekend if you can.

patd1161 · Dec 10th, 2007, 05:00 PM

I have a problem with my '96 Pathfinder. It will not start. I think it has to do with the security system. It was sugested to me that I disconect the battery for a few hours. When I reconnected it started for about 5-6 starts. Now disconecting the battery overnight does not help. Any ideas?

**88pathoffroad** · Dec 10th, 2007, 11:07 PM

Wow, way to revive a dead thread with a different question.