Start/Stop problem..help?

[cavufarm]

Hey guys, my Infiniti i30 has a problem.

Sometimes it will start. Sometimes it will not start. There is no middle ground. The dashboard still lights up when the key is turned. I brought it in to two different places and they are both stumped. Its a new battery installed by mechanic.

Everyone I know is stumped as well. Im sure someone here may have an idea I can look into.

Thanks in advance!

Cavufarm (hope to be a proud infiniti owner)

[MinisterofDOOM]

When it won't start, is there a clicking sound when you turn the key--perhaps accompanied by flickering of the dash lights?

Do the times it won't start have anything in common--how it was driven before, anything like that?

Also, I have an interesting condition in my car that would probably stump a few mechanics: the park position sensor is a bit off, and sometimes the car won't start unless you push the shift lever forward all the way to engage the park switch. Then it starts fine. But it causes symptoms similar to what you describe--all instruments, lights, etc work fine, but the car just doesn't start sometimes. It's a long shot, but give that a try...

[benemorius]

Ditto on the clicking. Poke around and locate the source of any clicks you hear.

If your mechanics are stumped by this, you need to find new mechanics.

[maxhopper]

Old shade-tree mechanic trick. Next time it won't start, get a long screwdriver and a hammer, and tap the starter firmly (with the hammer on top of the screwdriver). If it then starts, your starter is bad. The starter is located on top of the transmission bell housing.

[cavufarm]

Thanks for the replies. There is no clicking sound when attempting to start it. Ill try all those things the next time it wont start.

[popone913]

I know I had a problem with that also. I had to take it to the dealership and test the altenator and all that stuff and it was a bad battery. I had just replaced the battery a week before. So it could be the problem with the battery just not being right for the car. Dealership charged me $150 thou. But i've had no problems and it's well worth the money.