Key always requires 'jiggling' but now it won't start at all.

[Susie'sQ]

Hi. I have a 1992 Q (my second). Like my first, at somewhere after 100K, the key required a little 'jiggling' to start. My wonderful Infiniti-knowledgeable friend said it was because that 'superkey' is made of Platinum or Titanium or something and was actually a stronger metal than the one used in the ignition the key would eventually wear out the pins inside. BTW, I guess I don't need to tell you I'm NOT a techie. So, I jiggled my 1st car for over a year and never had more problems. However, #2, which has only required jiggling for a few months wouldn't turn at all this morning. I finally got the key out and it will turn in the ignition, but the car won't start. Is this most likely an anti-theft-related problem? I've tried the "turn the key in the trunk" and the "try to start in Neutral" ideas to no avail. All the electrical components worked when the key was turned, it just won't start. Maybe a starter? I am a poor working girl and don't know anyone in the new city I'm in and would appreciate any advice that doesn't involve a trip to the dealer that will cost me more than the blue book on my car. Thanks so much in advance!

[ddrumman]

I finally got the key out and it will turn in the ignition, but the car won't start. I've tried the "turn the key in the trunk" and the "try to start in Neutral" ideas to no avail.

Does it turn ever? Does it make ANY sound?

[jamesmost]

if u can not turn ur key try some Graphite powder sprayed into the cylindersaw a couple of sterter cylinders in the classifieds

[Susie'sQ]

Yeah, it turned just fine until this morning. Then, for a while it wouldn't move at all; after I jiggled it loose it now turns, but its not cranking...

[jamesmost]

if u can not turn ur key try some Graphite powder sprayed into the cylindersaw a couple of sterter cylinders in the classifieds

try this ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[breaksr]

Well if you can turn the key and it does not start then it might be the relay. It's the blue one in the engine compartment against the firewall. Open the hood and look at the firewall (seperates the engine compartment from the passenger compartment) there should be a small blue plastic box (about the size of your thumb but rectangler) near the passenger side of the engine compartment.

[jamesmost]

Yeah, it turned just fine until this morning. Then, for a while it wouldn't move at all; after I jiggled it loose it now turns, but its not cranking...

try battery first

[BlackBirdVQ]

I recently had the similar problem with my Q- well since I got it in October of 05. I haven't driven it as the engine was being worked on since then till Early March... and the car exibited similar things- turn the key and nothing happens.

It was a intermitent problem that made itself pop up whenever I was at the store or something and I needed it to fire up- nothing.

I repleaced the starter with a brand new OEM rebuild from Infiniti, and it hasn't given me any problem since then. Word of caution- when you have the old starter off the engine, CLEAN up the mating surface where the starter bolts up to with some sand paper. This will remove any oxydation/corrosion that has built up over the years. Starter actually grounds itself out through the engine/transmission and if there is too much corrosion there it will attribute to slow cranking. My new starter cranks much more faster than the old one also.

In the begining I thought it was a bad ignition switch- electrical portion, so I got one but I never put it in as the problem was intermitent.

In short- repleace your starter with a quality rebuild one.