94 Q - Won't Start, Key stuck in ignition

[jmk222]

Just towed home a 94 Q45 that I got for a deal because of the following problem:

When I went to look at the car, doors were unlocked, interior lights worked fine, security light was on. Went to start it, as soon as key turned to start the whole car went dead. No lights, key fob wouldn't do anything, wouldn't turn over, nothing. Also, the key would not come out of the ignition. The previous owner said it just did that the other day and when he's tried to charge the battery he's able to get the key out but after charging it still does the same thing. Any clue here? I haven't messed with it yet, but it would have to be a short in the starting circuit, a anti-theft problem, or a lock cylinder/ignition switch issue. If anyone has any clue I'm game because I'm new to this car.

[Infinitiguy19]

Any chance of getting your money back?

But remove the little cover around the ignition (where the iginition part lights up) then press that little realase button to get the key out.

Best you look at the owners manual for a better description and pictures.

Also did you see fi the car ran befroe buyng.

How much money did you lose?

Welcome to NICO.

[jmk222]

I'll try the cover deal - I think (hope) it's that and just a dead battery or some other silly thing.

Don't worry about the money - would you call $300 a good deal with a perfect body, no rust, and a perfect interior. Gotta love Craigslist and well off people that just want to unload a great car for scrap money - makes the $200 Volvo 850 I've been driving for the past 6 months look like a bad deal by comparison......

[Infinitiguy19]

Does the key turn to accessory?

Not bad, hell you might be able to part it out and get way more once you come to terms with that it might need 3000+ or - in mataince or you "gonna ride till she dies"

But I hope you get the problem fixed.

How was it towed home?

[oldmako]

How was it towed home?

Funny, that's what I was thinkin. This could get interesting.

[jmk222]

Key turns back and forth but I haven't tried removing the bezel yet. It was flatbedded but I may take it to my friend's shop soon. I have a two wheel dolly, wont have access to the flatbed. I know its bad to dolly these, but how hard is it to remove the rear driveshaft (so I can two wheel it) on a Q? Tried searching but no luck yet....

[Rex]

Is this the silver one with black leather, that they guys was asking $1000 for as a non-running car?

BTW, if the battery is dead, when you go to jump it, you still have to disarm the alarm with the fob ... learned that one the hard way.

[RAP]

Is this the silver one with black leather, that they guys was asking $1000 for as a non-running car?

BTW, if the battery is dead, when you go to jump it, you still have to disarm the alarm with the fob ... learned that one the hard way.

"learned that ONE THE HARD WAY?" How so pray tell.

I just now, Monday past, resolved my non start problem after some three months of non-starting. Took it to the dealer ! ! !

T'was the SECURITY system preventing me from starting the car

I posted my problem way back when and NO ONE mentioned that it could be the security system.

I too, learned that one the hard way Although the mechanic did mention that it could be the "clicker" to his credit. I took note of that but I don't lock the car, or, even remove the key while it's parked in my yard so I thought he was referring to the door un-locking feature and never connected the doors to the security system. But, the battery was deader than dead, in the car, so how could the "clicker" work ? ? ?

I am really disappointed with the responses I didn't get from here.

Didn't mean to hijack this thread but to the first poster jmk222: It might be worth your while to have the experts look at your car.

Some of the responses you get here might lead you in the wrong direction.

Good luck Jack

[Infinitiguy19]

Is that because of the hood sensor sticking up and the alarm seeing the hood is open.

Or is there another reason?

If its the hood sensor then you can just have a friends hold it down right?

But to the original poster: you can just disconect the driveshaft from the differntial or transmission, its only a couple of bolts.

[Rex]

When I bought "Da Beast", the 1st day I drove it to work I left the lights and the battery died, after hooking up jumper cables, and not being able to start the car ... until I disarmed it after the battery had power.

[Kiven422]

Hi RAP.... can you please help me....

my 94 Q -- the security system is preventing the vehicle from starting!

Its not the starter, I just took it out tested and replaced even though it was good!

How to disable the security system?

[goody90q45]

Put the key in the door or trunk lock?

[Rex]

Put the key in the door or trunk lock?

I'll suggest the passenger door, as it's not uncommon for the drivers side one to be "fickle" after years of use.

[RAP]

Hi RAP.... can you please help me....

my 94 Q -- the security system is preventing the vehicle from starting!

Its not the starter, I just took it out tested and replaced even though it was good!

How to disable the security system?

I am not familiar with your year model car. Sorry. I have the 2000 OBD 2.

Is the starter spinning, turning, cranking whatever?

If no, there may well be a "relay" that sends power to the starter solenoid in your car that may not be activating. This is a Nissan setup? That has happened to me in a 240 and in that car it is known as the "blue relay". A auto electric guy fixed that for me by installing a new and separate relay. Prior I had a separate mechanic shop do the no start work for me, twice, two starters. The auto electric guy told me that sometimes older cars develop problems within the wiring harness that can preclude current flow and the easy fix was to install a separate relay, direct, to the starter solenoid. I can't help locating that starter relay, if there is one, on your car, but someone here may know where it is, or, you can consult the FSM.

But your problem may well be cured, hopefully, by following the last suggestions you received from Rex and goody. I can't help you there if your problem is the security system.

In my car, OBD 2 there is reset trick for the security system that didn't work and I had to take the car to the dealer. The starter spun like hell but no start. Now I really don't know why the security system went haywire and at the dealer we don't really get a chance to question the actual fix-it guy, but just the service writer who is just that, and not a mech. But the problem started with a dead battery. The dealer fix cost me a mere 114.00 bucks so it wasn't a killer.

Good luck

RAP

[unknown007]

But the key in door or trunk like goody said it'll disarm it.My battery died many times before i replaced it and all it did was make my alarm go off.Weird.

For 300 you can maybe just replace the engine and you got yourself a good car. Fix chain guides and stuff and you basically will be spending about 1500-2000 plus maintance.

Good luck!!!

[breaksr]

$300 for that car is a very good deal. No need to worry about the chain guides your car is too new for that problem. Sounds like you have an ignition lock problem. Some of the answers here are most bizarre. There is a button next to where the key goes into the ignition lock that may not be working correctly. Go easy on what you spend this car can take some serious dollars to keep running nice.

[stupidwhiteguy12]

where is the starter found so i can have that tested?

and if it is the security system, would i have to take it to a dealer, or is it simply a switch or button etc.

[Kiven422]

The starter-solenoid is on the bottom, front passenger side. Its under the engine but screwed onto the transmission. You will have to remove the front sway bar to get to it.

The security system - For a 94 you have to put the key in the trunk lock and open it. It seems to me while the trunk is open the security is off.

[NJ 666]

Starter relay behind right strut tower....very common. You might be able to tap it to get it to work. Charge the battery and check the main fuse. If the car is jumped backwards they snap and cause all sorts of problems. The low battery voltage probably caused the key retention solenoid to hold the key in...also make sure the car is fully in park.

The earlier Qs used a starter disable for theft prevention with the newer body(97 up) they went to a "chip" in the key. 97 and up will crank and not start, thre ecm shuts off the fuel pump.