Update QX4 Intermittent start: Inhibitor Switch?

Post by **OU Targa** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 9:32 am

New to the forum so thanks for having me. So I've searched through a ton of posts and pulled some good info regarding my starting issue, done some troubleshooting on the QX4 but now back where I started.

Summary:
10 days ago, in the morning, no start, no crank, only the "one click" sound
Took me a few days before I had time to troubleshoot, I got a new battery (free under warranty), they said polarity was off so free battery, well put it in, cleaning the very limited corrosion as the cables were already clean, and same thing no start, just the click.

Next day, purchased a starter from Autozone after researching, and tried to install, well the install is easy enough to understand, had the truck on stands, but the bolts were to tight for my tools, I unplugged the starter during this process and then re-plugged it back in before having it towed to my mechanic.

Towed to mechanic 5 ~miles, they reconnected the battery cables, turn the key and low and behold, it STARTS. He turns it over like 15 - 20 times to see if there is a "dead spot" on the starter and it starts every time. Basically, he says he can't test the starter while it is working (still not sure I understand that part) and also since it worked all those times, he can't condemn the starter (I was thinking that the Towing shook the starter enough similar to banging it). So after an oil change while its there, I drive it home on Sat. Sunday morning, it starts and drive to lunch where it starts two more times before we get home and park it. On Monday morning, I try to start and nothing, just the one click. I take another car to work. That night, I try it again and at first the one-click sound, then, more out of frustration I lift and kinda slam the parking brake handle back down, and then the car starts (I'm not saying the parking brake being lifted and placed down had anything to do with anything). So I drive around the block, come back home, and then proceed to turn off and restart about 3- 5 times. That was last night but haven't tried again yet today.

So, what is going on?

What I though I knew, it was the starter that needed to be replaced but mechanic said it was working and then it worked again last night.
Battery is brand new
Alternator is working fine (by default testing, car didn't start with brand new battery and later started with brand new battery)
Wiring - if there was a cut in the wiring between key and starter and battery - I doubt it would of worked all these times in between
Security/key issue doesn't "seem" to be an issue, each time I put the key in (start or no-start) the security light goes off (i.e. doesn't blink anymore).

Starter? (maybe it is finicky and should just pay $300 to replace and see???) Is it possible the contact points on the solenoid are worn and finicky...
Ignition switch? (same possibility, maybe it works and then doesn't)

Just trying think of or rule out any possibilities based on logic. Any ideas? Thanks!

Post by **gcjazz12** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 11:12 am

My 2002 QX4 just got a new starter about a week ago. It was intermittently not starting. More starts than not... when it wouldn't start all I would get is a click...one click.If kept trying it would usually eventually fire up. I bought the starter from Autozone for about $140 - and ended up paying Infiniti to put it in for me. I'm getting nervous about unscrewing any bolts on the underside of the vehicle these days - seems every bolt I touch twists off and leaves half the bolt still on the car = time spent drilling out and getting a bolt to match and hoping you don't screw up threads... since the starter appeared to be attached to the transmission housing I decided I wasn't going to risk it. Infiniti installed the starter for me for $190 which I thought was high, you could probably go somewhere else and have it done cheaper, but I was there for other things so just got it all over with at once. Starter $140 - labor $190.00 minus the core return $55.00 = $285.00 and I don't worry about my car starting up when I'm far from home anymore.

Post by **OU Targa** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 12:10 pm

Sounds like I tried to do the same thing as you. Bought Autozone stater for $150 with a $50 refund for core when returned. I asked my mechanic to install but they will not install parts from other sources. His labor was only $80 plus $190 but he didn't want to just install the starter without diagnostics...I was like 90% sure it was starter. Then once he started the car upon arrival, he didn't seem to want to replace the starter even though I was cool spending the $300, he got me second guessing my original thought. Sounds like you were lucky infiniti installed your Autozone part - would of thought they'd insist on the $300 inifinit part.

Unless I can find another viable culprit, I might just ask him to replace the starter even if he is not convinced.

Post by **gcjazz12** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:20 pm

I thought for a minute it could be because I wasn't hitting the break pedal... you can hear a click when you do that, and then start. I believe that's called an inhibitor switch. I wanted to try everything before I got a starter because it worked probably 49 out of 50 starts... it was easy for me though cause Infiniti confirmed it... so, I see the dilemma in your case if the mechanic isn't convinced.

Also - the Infiniti starter was 450 just for part... I said no way to the tech - that'd I'd get the part from AZ and fix it myself - that's when they offered to do the labor with the AZ part... I was suprised, but maybe they figure it's work for their mechanics? Who knows...

Post by **OU Targa** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 8:31 am

So paid $80 for mechanic to install the AutoZone starter. So far so good and starting does sound a little crisper.

Took old starter back to AZ to get the $55 core charge refunded and asked then to teat to confirm. Well, their machine said it passed. Because of the intermittent issues, I'm going to assume it was still the starter causing the issues periodically (getting stuck or worn connections...)

Post by **OU Targa** » Mon Aug 06, 2012 10:30 am

Ok, so after a few weeks of starting fine with a new starter, it didn't start the other day.

Verified: New battery, alternator, new starter, verified the keys work....

So it didn't start one day, and then a few days later it started, just a beep, no turn over or anything...

What else could it be? Only other things I can think of would be the ignition switch.... Any ideas appreciated!

Post by **yngw13** » Mon Aug 06, 2012 10:54 am

it might be your grounding cables...the connection to the engine might be weak...you might want to get a new cable and ADD it to the existing ground post and attach it to the engine...heck add another for the chassis...I used to go OCD on amp installation coz my amp was finicky with voltage flux...or you can test the voltage to chassis with a multimeter with the key ignition on/engine off....then engine on....should read 12-13v off then 14v ish ON....2 cents

Post by **yngw13** » Mon Aug 06, 2012 10:55 am

or change the ground/+++ terminals for new sparkly ones

Post by **OU Targa** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 11:59 am

gcjazz12: "I believe that's called an inhibitor switch"

After some more trial and error of when and why and what, I was looking around and came across the inhibitor switch as a possible cause, which gcjazz12 happened to mention above, although at the time I didn't think to consider it as the issue for whatever reason.

Ok, so this morning, it doesn't start. I put the car in neutral and the car rolls just slightly and for some reason I try to start the car while it is in neutral and it starts immediately.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the inhibitor switch? Likely problem/cost/easy to service or replace?

To recap: thinking back, there was another time I moved the car by putting it in neutral and back to park and it started. Basically whenever it doesn't start, after I put the key in, the security light goes out, and turn the key - nothing turns over at all, just a beep and nothing. Today, it started after moving to neutral. Next time it doesn't start I'm going to replicate the neutral bit and see if the result is the same.

Anyone, ideas????

Post by **rjorgens** » Sat Dec 29, 2012 2:22 pm

Did you ever find the answer to this problem? I have a 1997 QX4 that just started doing this. After this happened a couple of times (would not turn over) I was driving it to the mechanic's and it wouldn't start on the ferry - had to be towed to mechanic's. They replaced the positive and negative cables to the battery. It started up fine for a few days, but now won't start again. The starter does not seem to engage at all, headlights don't dim when I try. I have the same symptoms as you, and once got it to start by putting the car in drive, then back in park. Since the headlights don't dim I'm thinking it's some kind of security or transmission lockout switch problem.

Post by **OU Targa** » Sat Dec 29, 2012 2:39 pm

I can not claim to have 100% diagnosed this.

I am 95% sure it is the inhibitor/safety/nuetral switch which if I understand correctly is a switch that is attached to transmission somewhere.

After replacing the starter it happened again and auto zone tested my old starter and said it was ok. I checked into having it replaced but appeared it could be fairly costly so did not pursue. I will say this, every time it didn't start, I put it in nuetral and then it would start right away without fail, thus fairly confident that I now know the problem.

On another note, it's been several months since the last no start episode (maybe the summer heat or some coolant leak was getting it moist and compromising the switch).

If you have the same symptoms, the next time it doesn't start, put it I'm neutral and then try to start, if it works in nuetral each time, then that switch is your problem. Let me know how it goes. Good luck

Post by **rjorgens** » Sat Dec 29, 2012 3:07 pm

Nope, I tried that before, but no turn over in neutral either - I'll try pushing it a ways.....

macflo · Post by **macflo** » Wed Dec 25, 2013 2:19 pm

Turning the key on I have No panel lights, no interior lights, looks like dead, no energy.
My qx4 starts after several tries and moving the steering wheel and shift lever. It seems like something is stuck in the column or switch. Once it starts, everything is normal, the shop ran test on battery, starter, alternator, etc. all is working ok.
I replaced: ignition switch, starter.
The problem persist. I have no codes.
Please help......any clues?

macflo · Post by **macflo** » Fri Dec 27, 2013 11:53 pm

FYI, after all this electrical problems I decided to start working in a "normal" maintenance issues and left the electrical problems for later.
I did change spark plugs (after 110k miles in the original set); installed a purolator air filter blue series; cleaned the camshaft position sensors and the intake timing valve control. These 3 sensors were fully soaked in dirty grease. Cleaned the air mass sensor also.
Voila.....all the problems were solved. I have been driving the qx4 for three days in a row and not a single problem; what I did? I don't know but the car runs like new.

qx4radioissue · Post by **qx4radioissue** » Wed May 21, 2014 10:39 pm

Hey everyone, FINALLY FOUND THE SOLUTION TO EVERYONE'S ISSUE ABOUT MYSTERIOUS ELECTRICAL SHORTAGES, BATTERY CONSTANTLY DRAINING CAUSING POWER TO CUT, BULBS BURNING ETC. I own a 2004 Infiniti QX4 and within the last couple of years (2010-2014) I have been replaced my battery 3 times and changed bulbs in lights with frequent irregularity. No one has been able to diagnose what the problem was - just theories which cost me $1000's of dollars. I searched the net for solutions to this problem when I realized many of us owners had the same issue. I tried to look back at my truck's history when I recalled having an issue with my music suddenly turning up high without warning - that was the beginning. Well after I researched electrical shortage and radio, I stumbled upon a thread of infiniti owners who finally figured out the electrical shortage is directly related to the Bse 6-pack cd changer/radio. If you don't turn off your radio before you turn off your ignition, the Bose radio keeps running and draining the power. Eventually after many on and off ignition attempts, the battery drains. Infiniti is aware of this problem but has not gone public about it. I'm headed there tomorrow to bring this attention to them along with printed copies of this thread that explains the issue - everyone's who's fixed their radio or unplugged the radio fuse does not have electrical shortages/battery drains. here's the article. Cross my fingers this helps all of us - http://forums.automotive.com/70/1055450 ... page4.html

Post by **Silverhorn** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 1:44 pm

Does anyone have more information on this issue? I can be certain that the BOSE changer isn't my problem. I've never used it and my battery reads 12.4 volts.

I tried starting it in neutral but to no effect. I can't try rolling it as it s up in the air. At first I thought this was a security lock out issue, but I'm not sure anymore. I tried at least two different ways that I found to clear a security lock out. First locking and unlocking the door waiting 30 seconds in between. Then second changing to D1 and then back to Park waiting 15 seconds in between, but nothing. I've checked all the fuses in both the engine bay, and cab. Frankly I'm stumped. I would appreciate any help.

Detailed issue:
Get in car. Sometimes the cab lights come on, sometimes they don't. The headlights work perfectly fine, but the windshield wipers don't. As soon as I insert the key it starts beeping at me (security system?). I turn the key and nothing at all happens. I don't even hear the starter solenoid click and the engine doesn't even attempt to turn over. I don't see any lights on my dash at any point (hence I thought it was an interior fuse?). No thing I can try will get the car to even attempt turning over.

Background:
I'm in the middle of doing many additions to the car. Snorkel ram intake, TAG front bumper, new coolant overflow tank, second battery, and battery isolator. I've not wired in either the second battery or the isolator yet. I was in the process of cleaning up the main battery wiring when this issue started. I removed the factory positive and replaced it with this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RR ... UTF8&psc=1
The car started up after I had completed this swap so I'm fairly certain that this was not the issue. Unfortunately I can't go back to the original positive terminals, despite all my careful and painful disassembly they didn't hold up to the procedure. I also swapped out the main 100A fuse just in case (it showed some build up and discoloration), but that changed nothing.

Post by **Silverhorn** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 2:47 pm

ok. So I rechecked the ignition system from start to finish and found a blow fuse. FML. Wish they were easier to see. Glad it was a $5 part from AZ.

cbowdee · Post by **cbowdee** » Mon Aug 31, 2015 2:00 pm

I'm experiencing starting issues with my 03 QX4. So went to go start the vehicle and heard the clicking, so I checked the voltage and the battery connections. Seemed fine. My first thought is that the starter is bad since I changes the alternator 2 years ago and the battery a year ago. Before I removed the starter I noticed, with the switch off,and power to the headlights on they were blinking on and off very rapidly. Not only the headlights all the lights including the dash. Once I removed the starter and powered the headlights back up they stayed on, no blinking. Has anyone experienced this?

cbowdee · Post by **cbowdee** » Sat Dec 19, 2015 9:09 am

While changing out the water pump, it got stuck some how and I had to remove the timing cover to see why. Come to find out the belt slipped on the cams. I don't know of they moved. So I thought I could just set the chain and put it on time. Not so, while removing the upper guide the cam on the right slipped. Now I don't know what to do. How do I set the time? Do I need to remove the valve covers?