QX4 Has a mind of it own on startup *VIDEO*

[W O T]

I figurd I try and write out this problem, but its much easier to take a video. Basically, when you turn the key, sometimes nothing at all happens, sometimes it starts.... Sometimes it takes 10 turns, sometimes 2, Ive had to wait 3 min before.

The cluster always lights up, its just like the starter just isnt clicking over.

Dont mind the s***ty idle, my maf is bad and one is now on order, or the exhaust rattle lol

[02pathy]

maybe u need put some gas in ur car!!!

on the real i would suspect the ground wire first, check out make sure its all clean and nice. check connection to ur starter and if all that checks out then i would say its the starter, more than likely starter is starting to go bad but check ground first

[W O T]

By ground do you mean main battery ground? Thats dead perfect, I just put in a new battery a few days ago, and its got 2 solid clean and secure 2gauge grounds.

It has been doing this for about 3 months now, but it used to happen like maybe once a week, and Im never really in a rush, so it didnt bother me, now its like everytime I start my car!!!!

The starter is way down in the passenger side right, I think Ive spotted it before. would love to know what to check.

Thanks

[Chuck Tribolet]

My late wife had a '68 Firebird 400 ragtop (16 gal tank, could pass anything buta gas station) that did this. I finally traced it to a bad wire going to the solenoid(the skinny wire, not the fat one).

Could also be the key switch.

Could also be RFID in the key (try the other key).

[02pathy]

yes, ur ground wire, make sure all connections r tight, but i honestly think its your starter, similar situation happened to me, if u can find the starter have someone knock on it with something and see how it starts versus no knocking or just take it to a shop to verify, if u r able to take it out maybe canadian tire or partsource can test it but i don't remember if they do test that

[jsm02cpa]

I had an old car, that similar to Chucks, was solenoid related, but I think all that's incorporated into the starters now, also had a car that did this, and it was the key switch, it wasn't making good contact. Since you are getting lights with the switch, it appears to be making the contact there, so it is more likely a wire not grounding properly since it is intermittent.

Try having the started tested if possible at an auto parts store, normally it's free.

[lemansz20]

Your car must have an exhaust, b/c geez it sounds like a v8 rumble. Goodluck with the issue, I would definately vote a crimped wire near the solenoid maybe?

[W O T]

haha, I get that all the time, people asking if I have a v8 lol. Its an exhaust I made myself, custom 2->1 collectors, one flowmaster 40 muffler straight thru style and a side exit exhaust with 4" flat tip come out infront of the rear tire. Looks sick

And with the intake, it sounds amazing, deep and dirty

[lemansz20]

What intake are you running and any outside pictures of the exhaust tip???

Do you have any drone while driving, b/c I am about to get my pathfinder and have a seriously problem when the mod bug kicks in usually lol???

[W O T]

Custom 3" intake, K&N filter. Ive got 2 batteries underhood so the intake gets routed down towards the ground.

I'll get some pic of the exhaust, dont have any, but even the cops have given me props on it lol.

No drone at all, I did when I had it exiting under the car (didnt have the piping to run it to the back yet) but I changed my mind and flung it out the side and it sounds great.

I'll snag a video if I can

[W O T]

snapped a quick pic of the exhaust while getting gas, raining, so I didnt do much for effect lol



Made some videos on the way there to, uploading

[lemansz20]

I actually like that, I get what you were saying now. Def an awesome idea, dont worry I wont steal it. I like the painted stocks, those 3 spoke stocks are horrible to me, but you made them look good.

[mott6904]

Does the starter click? these cars have problem with the e.c.c.s. relay and the inhibitor relay. If you are only having problems with i it starting i would say it is your inhibitor relay. I belive the rear defroster relay is the same. swap the inhibitor relay with the same color and see if your problem goes away. If so then replace it. If not then does you ignition switch feel sloopy?

[s14driver2.4]

i would say take a look at the ignition switch, fine out what wire is power out of the switch to the starter relay and stick a test light on it right where it comes out of the bottom of the steering column if you dont have power when it doesnt start i would say ignition switch if you do maybe e.c.c.s.,hope i could help

[W O T]

I wish I knew more to wiring than car audio lol.

Damnit

[s14driver2.4]

ha give me the year make and model of your car and ill see if i can look it up for you to help you out man

[W O T]

Its a 2001 Qx4 with the 3.5L vq35de

[longhornsqx4]

My car does this exact same thing, what could it be?

Someone mentioned an inhibitor relay, where would I find that?