92 Pathfinder Won't start

[newb007]

Hey guys,

I'm actually not a Pathfinder owner but I have a friend with a 92 Pathfinder 4x4 v6 manual shift. He is a good friend and his Pathfinder began to have problems starting (intermittantly wouldn't start when turning the key - starter doesn't run). It would run fine when started and you can jump start it. I mentioned it might be a bad starter so he took it to a shop for diagnosis. They said it would be a starter and $400-600 depending on the shop. He didn't have the money so it sat in his driveway as it eventually wouldn't start anymore. I have worked on other makes doing starters and timing belts so I told him I would put in a starter for the price of parts. I put the starter in but it didn't help. I then did some searching and found the clutch interlock relay is a known bad component. SO.. I replaced that relay (dual plug relay by the battery to the right of the main relay bus). Still nothing. It won't start. So I created some jumpers to check voltage at different locations to the relay to get an idea of what is going on. Here is what I found.

Voltage at battery - GOOD (Over 12V and at 12V when in ON position)Voltage at yellow/black wire on relay plug (one with green wire) - GOOD when key turned to ONVoltage at yellow/black wire on relay plug (one with purple/black wire) - GOOD when key turned to ON

NOW - When I turn the key to ON, I see voltage at the relay on the wires mentioned above, but then I depress the clutch I lose voltage at the relay. I verified this several times and even pressed the clutch switch only at the floorboard by hand and watched the voltage drop at the relay. I'm guessing there is an open somewhere in that circuit so when i press the clutch I lose voltage, but I don't know where. I don't have a wiring schematic or haynes manual.

I also checked shorting the relay on the green wire using my jumpers and I hear a relay over by the A/C compressor click. I also checked the relay when out of the car by shorting one side (green wire) and I hear it click. I don't know if that helps but I thought I would add the info.

SO I'm stuck with my friends pathfinder in the garage and I would love to fix it for him without him having to take it to the dealer or let it sit till he has enough money. If anyone can help please let me know.

Thanks for reading and any info you might have.

Cheers.