2001 Infinite QX4 Won't Start

[jvarady]

I have a 2001 Infinite QX4 that won't always start when I turn the key on. Sometimes I hear one click and then nothing and then turn the key again one click and then nothing...again and again; then it starts right up. The lights don't ever dim and the security light is on...so it isn't the transponder.

It almost sounds like when the battery connections have corrosion on them, but it doesn't. I had the battery tested and it was okay and passable, but not great; not enough to warrant a replacement according to Interstate Battery.

Is this a starter issue, ignition switch or something else?

Thanks

[NismoPick]

Welcome!

So when you hear the clicks, the engine isn't turning at all? If your battery is fully charged (~12.6v), then your starter is dying / dead... especially if this is an intermittent problem. You can verify by whacking the solenoid on top of the starter with a hammer or something solid... that should free it up enough to start. Give it a few firm whacks and try again.

Other possibilities: clutch switch / neutral switch.

[mthatch]

You could try removing your starter relay and taking a paper clip or small wire and jumping a direct connection to the starter. (This picture is not of an actual R50) This will bypass all other electrical and computer systems and crank immediately. You would do something like this

If it turns over, your starter is good, and it is another issue. Try swapping your relay with another inside your relay box. Also, loose grounds or bad grounds can cause this issue.

[jvarady]

Welcome!

So when you hear the clicks, the engine isn't turning at all? If your battery is fully charged (~12.6v), then your starter is dying / dead... especially if this is an intermittent problem. You can verify by whacking the solenoid on top of the starter with a hammer or something solid... that should free it up enough to start. Give it a few firm whacks and try again.

Other possibilities: clutch switch / neutral switch.

Thank you for your response to my question. Just one point of emphasis, when I turn the key there is only one click; not multiple clicks...so I don't know if that makes a difference or not?

[Towncivilian]

Jumping the starter relay won't work - the computer cannot communicate with the chipped key when required, so a failed start will occur.

[jvarady]

So do you suspect it is a bad starter issue or something else. I turn the key and all I hear is one click; not multiple clicks, but after several attempts of turning the key the suv starts.

[NismoPick]

Where are the click sounds coming from?

[CanuckQx4]

It is your starter solenoid. My car had the same intermittent problem. It only gets worse, soon it does this at every attempt at starting, then eventually would need to be tried in a minute or seven.

It got very annoying, almost embarassing, as that "click" is very audible outside the car. I tossed in a junkyard starter (very easy DIY job btw, very accessible from the bottom) and problem solved. You may be able to buy the solenoid seperately Im not sure, but I only paid like $70 for a junkyard tested complete starter assembly.

[omuilleoir]

My 2001 Infiniti QX4 is having a similar, but not exact problem.
When I turn the key, the radio and blower fan activate (not a battery issue) and there is no audible clicking sound...the car simply does not start. I have found if I wait a few minutes, and pump the accelerator, I can usually get it to start up. Any ideas on the problem?
Fuel injector?

[atraudes]

Welcome to Nico!

It doesn't start as in you don't even hear the starter kicking in, or it's cranking but not starting?

[mrs_tucker]

Hi guys I am having the same issue. I bought this car from someone off facebook Saturday morning. Sunday morning it would not start at all. but ran fine Saturday. I tried jumping It but it still wouldn't come on. I was told it was the starter so I bought a new starter and still nothing. When I turn the key it is silent maybe a humming noise at best under the hood. Everything in the car comes on but it just will not start. Please help me figure this out!

oh yea its an infinity qx4 incase you were wondering!

[MisterH]

As the others have said, the starter solenoid is a possible culprit. If however, you're turning the key and the dash lights go on but no click sound, the other possibility is a bad neutral safety switch. Try starting again but this time wiggle the shift handle back and forth to see if it engages when you do that.

[x2002Qx4x]

The starter is the culprit, exact same thing happened to me a while ago, clicks n all. Infiniti replaced it, but junkyard starters are a cheaper alternative. Easy job.

[AlanAZ]

the other possibility is a bad neutral safety switch. Try starting again but this time wiggle the shift handle back and forth to see if it engages when you do that.

I've been under the car when the shifter was moved back and forth while in park (when diagnosing the same no start problem), and it doesn't move the input into the Park/Neutral safety switch at all. Shift into neutral and try starting from there, if it starts from there every time, then it's that switch, otherwise probably the N.P (starter) relay.

[Qx4_dude]

I have been having similar issues. My 03 has had this issue of symptoms of a parasitic draw but cannot find where it is coming from even after going through all the fuses and replacing any and each that had ugly ends not to mention the relays as well. I did find corrosion about 2/4 of the way down the main power cable so I ended up replacing the whole cable with a new one, and the other two wires also had a significant amount of corrosion from being in that weird post with all wires going to it so they were also replaced. All said and done with all the fuses and that needed swapping and what not, the truck gave me one solid crank over and then I killed it cause there wasn't enough coolant and didn't want it turn over completely. So I shut it off. Cheered cause at this point it had been months since it had cranked over. Went to try and crank it again (with correct amount of coolant) and nothing. The symptoms of no noise when going to crank and the dash dying each time I turn the key fully, occur. Any ideas? I mean I guess it could be the starter I'm going to try and bypass to see if it is. If not anyone else have any ideas? When it sat for months I overhauled the cooling system. Both thermostats all the hoses (for the most part) that accompanied the system. All the gaskets for the 3piece manifolds, everything went exactly back like it was supposed to. This guy on YouTube has a 19 part segment on this procedure. Very thorough. Do recommend. Please help lol I'm losing my marbles trying to figure it out.

[Qx4_dude]

Lol I hope this thread still has people on this issue. Even in 2024 the pathfinder/qx4 are going strong

[mdmellott]

Lol I hope this thread still has people on this issue. Even in 2024 the pathfinder/qx4 are going strong

With the dash dying each time you turn the key fully, sounds more like an ignition problem and not the starter. If it was just the starter being the problem, the dashboard would not die when you turn the key. The ignition switch could be shot.

[mdmellott]

If it is just the ignition switch, it's a simple fix to replace the switch on the left side of the steering column, opposite from the ignition key.

[VStar650CL]

You can find out easily if the Ignition Switch is causing the problem. See if you get power on fuse #8 in both the On and Start positions. If so, the problem is likely something else. If power goes away in either position, the switch is faulty. If there's no power in either position then you might have a bad ignition relay.