Need help- car won't crank, read for details

[rva240]

So my 1996 s14 won't start. The engine does not turn over, but it did start up when my buddy and I push started it, so i don't think it's a performance issue. I just put in a new battery and a brand new starter. I tried replacing the ignition switch as well, but that didn't do anything. The last couple months that my car was still running, sometimes when I would turn the car on, I would turn the key and hold it in the on position, and nothing would happen for about 2-3 seconds, but after those few seconds, the car would start up like normal. A couple times it even took multiple tries of holding the key in the on position for many seconds at a time, until finally, it starts. This mainly happened from a cold start. Then one cold morning, I went to turn the key, and nothing. I'm not the biggest gearhead, but if I figure out what the problem is, I know I can fix it. Any suggestions whatsoever would be greatly appreciated, I can't go another day without driving my car!!

Thanks, Alex

[martins_240sx]

sounds like the little blue relay that is behind your battery....pull out your battery and there should be 2 relays, the blue one prolly needs to be replaced. dont go to autozone for it. get it from nissan $40 irrc. hope this helps mine did this for months

[-RJ-]

Is it 5 speed or auto? If its 5 speed, it might be the switch on the clutch

Also you could try running a switch for the starter to be connected straight to the battery for a temporary solution

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Is it 5 speed or auto? If its 5 speed, it might be the switch on the clutch

THIS.

It's called the neutral safety switch and is activated when the clutch is pressed, allowing the starter to engage. I was stumped too when I had this problem.

[JS14.5]

Is it 5 speed or auto? If its 5 speed, it might be the switch on the clutch

THIS.

It's called the neutral safety switch and is activated when the clutch is pressed, allowing the starter to engage. I was stumped too when I had this problem.

^+1. my friend had the similar problem. Either the switch is completely bad or the "rubber" stopped on it is completely deteriorated

[LoserCard]

Sorry to thread jack, but where do you get one of those rubber stoppers, mine is like halfway eaten off by car gnomes...

Jk, it was like that when I bought the pedals. =)

[DamonDread]

I never found one of the those stoppers but I didnt look real hard, I just cut a golf tee down and glued it where the rubber stopper went. Still works great.

[JS14.5]

I'm not sure where you can get one. My friend got his switch from a local shop for like 15 bucks. My other friend just used pennies lol

[rva240]

alright sorry for the late response but anyways, i tried replacing the starter relay (in the fuse box beside the battery) with a working one, and again, only a click. I want to try bypassing the switch right at the clutch pedal, but i'm not sure exactly how. my next question is, if I were to try bypassing that switch, would that completely take the relay out of the equation? would the relay even be necessary?

i've tried looking for a write up on bypassing that switch but couldn't find any.

[OutToWinPAHC]

I had this issue and my issue was the ignition switch, looking for the thread. By the way did you search?

[OutToWinPAHC]

There is a 5 wire connector on the ignition switch.

Looks like
- - B
- - -

B is the blank spot. One the switch side of the connector, check resistance from the top left pin to the bottom left pin with the key held in the start position should be less than .25ohms

To verify it is the switch on the opposite connector (harness side) jump those two pins together and see if the starter turn the engine.

[OutToWinPAHC]

post5943018.html#p5943018

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Sorry to thread jack, but where do you get one of those rubber stoppers, mine is like halfway eaten off by car gnomes...

Jk, it was like that when I bought the pedals. =)

Just replace it with a nut/bolt. Don't waste your time with a rubber piece on that switch.