Delayed starting

[SarcasticaLy]

Hello,

I believe this is my first post as Im usually just lurking around the forum. Its not a major problem but on my 01 QX4, 88k (bought last yr with 66k) whenever I start the car, about 70% of the time, it turns but kinda "hesitates". It seems to coincide with when my auto-entry feature for the driver seat is in motion. It'll turn once or twice then kinda die then I do it when nothing else is going on and works fine. I havent trie turning off the auto-entry feature completely to test the theory. Anyone else have this issue?? Thanks.

[yngw13]

have you checked your battery terminals for corrosion?
Or it might be loose...
I had that problem...
wont hurt to eliminate that

[THatfield]

I have a similar issue with my 2003 QX4. Sometimes when I start it hesitates but then finally starts up. I'll be checking my battery and the associated components. I wish I could get it on video but it is very intermittent and random.

[skiski329]

I had a delay in my 00 pathy, that's what prompted me to change the sparks and distributor, after that it started up much faster. Even with the faster start, i still changed the fuel filter... and wow! it starts like a champ now.

[Densetsu]

I have an issue where once every dozen starts, the Pathy would turn over for 1-2 seconds before starting up. Only happens when it's been sitting for more than a couple hours.

If I turn the key to 'ON', wait a sec, and then turn it over, it never happens. I'm thinking that the Pathy is losing fuel pressure, turning the key to on lets the pump pressurize the system. At least, that's my theory.

[THatfield]

I have an issue where once every dozen starts, the Pathy would turn over for 1-2 seconds before starting up. Only happens when it's been sitting for more than a couple hours.

If I turn the key to 'ON', wait a sec, and then turn it over, it never happens. I'm thinking that the Pathy is losing fuel pressure, turning the key to on lets the pump pressurize the system. At least, that's my theory.

my symptoms exactly. It just chugs almost like the battery is nearly dead. it starts up after a second though no problem. if i turn it off and back on it's fine.

Better not be plugs. The 3.5L is a b**ch i hear to do plugs on.

[Towncivilian]

The 3.5 is easy to do plugs on compared to the 3.3. There is a great guide in the how to thread.

[THatfield]

The 3.5 is easy to do plugs on compared to the 3.3. There is a great guide in the how to thread.

Perhaps I got them confused then. Life of a n00b

[SarcasticaLy]

Interesting. Glad Im not the only one. Havent checked my battery terminals. I do know they're not corroded, not sure about the tightness/looseness, though Im pretty confident they're in place correctly.

Fuel filter should be a good maintenance item and Im almost due for spark plugs.

[overwest]

ahh, just was going to make a post about this later on. engine turns over and then dies sometimes as well. takes a couple seconds before i try again. probably going to have to try all the suggestions listed.

[wisehunter1]

same here... It always starts on the first turn but occasionally (1 out of 20 starts) it will stall for a split second and successfully ignite. Happened even after i replaced the battery but It always cranks the very first time. Maybe the contacts??

[Buzzman]

Same problem two years ago. New battery fixed the problem.
Had the original battery in it for 8 years. (in snowy cold Canada, I think that must be a record.)

[SarcasticaLy]

Same problem two years ago. New battery fixed the problem.
Had the original battery in it for 8 years. (in snowy cold Canada, I think that must be a record.)

I had my battery tested about 2-3 months ago n it was fine. I dont know how old the battery is so it still could have gon bad by now. I should go get it tested again.

[Densetsu]

Just re-reading this thread, AND being hit with -30°C weather this weekend. Which made me realize that there could be some mis-communication in this thread.

What did you mean by "hesitating"? Is it where it turns over normally, but takes a few seconds to start? Or does the starter struggle to turn over, like when you have a near-dead battery or when it's freezing cold out?

In my case, the Pathy was hesitating in the former sense... starter was turning over strong, just took a while to start.

[SarcasticaLy]

Turned over slowly then starting or turned over slowly then started after I "reset" the key and tried again.

Its not as if the battery's dead and all I hear is a click.

[Towncivilian]

Have you checked for corrosion around both ends of each battery terminals? Are the terminals tight enough that you can't rotate or lift them off the posts? Don't overtighten them as this can cause the battery casing around the post to crack, leading to unstoppable corrosion.

[robertrg]

A few years ago my 2003 Nissan Pathfinder began experiencing this delayed starting. Basically what happens is when you turn the ignition switch absolutely nothing happens. Its like the battery is dead. Lately the problem started getting worse. If the car sits there for a few hours, I can almost bet it won't start especially if its a cold night. So I finally took the car to the dealer and they said it was the ignition switch but that was certainly not the case. So I have a new ignition switch at a cost of 250 bucks and still experiencing the same problem. Fortunately the car does start. Yesterday I turned the ignition and held it for about 20 seconds then all of the sudden it started. So bottom line if you are experiencing this don't assume its the ignition switch. Any suggestions on what the problem is would be appreciated. thanks

[Buzzman]

So I finally took the car to the dealer and they said it was the ignition switch but that was certainly not the case. So I have a new ignition switch at a cost of 250 bucks and still experiencing the same problem.

I hope you went back to the dealership and got (at least) a partial refund on the work they did.
If the problem is still there, you shouldn't have to pay for a new switch that wasn't necessary.

[asnorton44]

I had a problem with my '01 QX4 starting slow, then eventually to not starting even though all the internal electrical systems like the door switches were working (most of the time). Ended up being the negative cable to the battery. Replaced with 24080-5W000 oem cable and its been starting great ever since.

[Gundlion]

Symptoms of slow cranking like the battery was dying. Fully recharged the battery and it would start the vehicle for about 3-5 days, then the slow cranking returns. Usually by day 7, there isn't enough juice to start and the single click was the result. Alternator and wiring checks out fine. Turns out the starter was dying and needed much more amps than normal to turn the crank, thus depleting the battery faster than it could be recharged. Replacing the starter has fixed the slow cranking issue.

[barnaclebob]

Mine will occasionally "hiccup" when starting. It will crank once or twice, pause then start up right after the pause. I usually only does this after its been sitting for a week or more.

The only time it has to crank for more than a second or two is if I'm low on gas or it has been parked for awhile. I assumed that was due to fuel draining back out of the fuel lines and the pump needing a second to get it back up to pressure.

Neither of these things seem to be causing any problems so I don't worry about them.

Edit: just saw this is an old post...