99 Pathfinder won’t start #18 AT CONT fuse blows

[albbountyhunter]

I have a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder 4x4 3.6L V6 with automatic transmission. My #18 fuse (AT CONT) 10A keeps blowing when I turn the key. The red lights, on the console, light up and there is no response from the starter. It will blow the fuse whether I turn the key part way to the ON position as well as when I turn the key to the START position. If I remove the N-P relay (Neutral Position) I still get a blown fuse in both the RUN and START positions. When I unplug the black/pink wire from the starter, with the N-P relay still removed, the fuse does not blow. I had initially replaced the starter thinking that was the problem. The vehicle ran fine for a few days then the fuse blew again. With the connector unplugged I tested the wire for continuity to ground from terminal 7 of the N-P relay. It did not show any conductivity. This indicates to me that the wire itself is not touching ground. Could I have a defective starter? If I connect the black/pink wire to the starter and test for continuity, from terminal 7, I get continuity to ground. That doesn’t seem right. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Towncivilian]

Welcome to NICO. Sorry for the delay in replying.

See a power routing diagram on page EL-7 of the factory service manual.

Perhaps try swapping the N/P relay with another identical one? A faulty relay is possible.

[albbountyhunter]

I bought a new N-P relay hoping it would fix the problem, it did not. I finally gave up and took the vehicle to my mechanic. He diagnosed the problem as a bad neutral switch which is located on the driver side of the transmission under the shift linkage. The part cost 140.21 and the total repair bill was 292.42.

[tsp84]

Yes this absolutely helped me, I had a no crank situation. It started on way back from store I noticed SES light come on the q had lost alott of power like it wasin limp home mode, the 4wd indicator lights (green tires) on dash wernt lit I could not get the 4wd to switch modes. I parked it shut her off and than it wentinto nocrank. I checked #18 fuse and it was blown, replaced and triedstarting no crank and blown fuse. I am going to run a10" wire from ground to the ground input to pnp relay, this should solve problem for now until replace switch.