Really need help with starting problem! ('93 J30)

[waggs]

Let's see if I can explain this correctly...my Ininity J30 will not start because apparently the computer won't go into "on" mode.

For about the last year, if I tried to turn the key too fast, the car would either start and die right away, or wouldn't start at all. I could usually get it to start by making numerous attempts. It took me awhile, but I finally figured out that during the times that it wouldn't start, it wasn't even running the warning light's on "diagnostic" that every car does when you switch it to ON mode before cranking the starter.

I solved this problem for about a year by alwasy waiting a few seconds in ON mode before cranking the engine, but now even that has stopped working, and the car won't start. It's weird, cause the radio and the air will still turn on, but the dash is completely dead, and it won't even try to start. If the car actually does run through the diagnostic, however, the car will start with no difficutly. Does this make sense? Does anyone know what this is?

[metaverse3]

Check your battery..make sure it has enough power to supply the electronics..check your grounding points as well.

Check your ignition key cylinder unit itself. They do go bad and don't work as intended..

Check the relays and fuses in the driver kickpanel and engine bay.. my suspicion would be ignition switch since you can't even get the dash to light up..

[Jeff Williams]

It does sound like a battery/fuse/grounding problem. Get some contact cleaner, and remove all the fuses, under the hood, and under the dash, one at a time, and clean the terminals. Then have someone check your electrical circuit. Have them check the amperage outut of the alternator, and battery. Have them check the grounding circuit as well.

I would use some graphite lubricant in the key cylinder as well.

You would be suprised what a new battery will do for your car. Definitely go with an Optima, if you can afford it. $150, but worth the money, in my opinion.