2001 pathfinder pops when the ignition is turned

[Taboofluffy69]

I have a 2001 pathfinder with 159k miles on it. When I turn the ignition I hear a pop and then nothing. If I turn it a few times it'll start normally. It's got a new battery. I did put a new red battery cable on. I didn't replace the whole cable just the end that attaches to the battery. I noticed that the inside of the cable was full of corrosion. I've heard it could be the starter solenoid or the ignition switch. My question is. Is it possible it's just that the cables are too old and need replaced?

[Rockwood]

If you did not replace the little red connector with the 2 wires that go to the underhood fusebox, you may want to check it for corrosion and see if it is part of the problem like this picture:

<a href="https://ibb.co/gpPdcH"><img src="https://image.ibb.co/jnsmWc/corrosion.jpg" alt="corrosion" border="0"></a>

That is not a Pathfinder, but the Pathy is similar. The wires can be removed from the connector - just push down on the tab on top of the wire, and pull it out of the connector. In my case, the wires would not pull out - they were corroded in place. When I replaced the connector several electrical issues went away.

[Rockwood]

Sorry, the embed got screwed up, I guess you'll have to click the link to see the photo.

[Taboofluffy69]

When I replaced the wires., I had to cut those as well. They attached to the new cable through 2 wires that were already present on the new cable, and yes they were corroded on the inside as well.

[Rockwood]

Not sure what the pop is. Speakers sometimes pop - is the sound from inside the car? The starter solenoid usually is described as a click when it engages.

Parts wise you have the ignition switch, the park / neutral (starter) relay, the park neutral safety switch on the transmission, and the starter solenoid. Those all can cause staring issues when you turn the key to start.

You can eliminate the park neutral safety switch by starting the car in neutral. If your symptoms don't change, that is not the issue. The relay is pretty inexpensive - I found one for 12 bucks at Autozone. It is easy to replace.

That narrows it down to 2 items - ignition switch or starter solenoid / starter.

[Taboofluffy69]

Thanks for the reply. I'll try to isolate the issue, as you mentioned. It may take awhile. Dang thing isn't consistent. To clarify the popping sound, it comes from under the hood. Sounds like it's coming from the passenger side. After the first start fail it pops. Once that happens every key turn results in no sound. All the lights will turn on, but no turn over. That leads me to believe it's the starter solenoid. I'll isolate it further so I'm not paying to replace good parts. Thanks again.