STARTING PROBLEM QX4-2002

[BECAMOSES]

Hello,
My 2002 QX4 starts wonderfully most of the time but lately its been not turning over,it will click like its the starter but if you sit there and jiggle the key around or take it out and put it back in and turn slowly or push in while starting it starts up ,about 6 months ago we had this problem and got a new battery and thought that was the issue but its not, the battery is fine and they said they checked the starter and that wasn't it back then,my questions are : could this be the ignition switch and or they key?
does the key have a chip or battery in it that can go bad?
If it is the starter ,where is it located or where is the starter relay switch if that could be it,I dont do much mechanic work? Thanks for any help on the matter
It wont jump when it is acting like this either
Checked to make sure it was in park fully
Have rolled it a few feet to see if sitting position was it,nothing seems to help but the jiggling and key flips and movements???
Thank you,
Becca

[Towncivilian]

The key does have a chip. No battery though.

After a failed start, does the "security" LED blink or light solid?

Welcome to NICO.

[BECAMOSES]

I will check that next time it fails and get back on here and answer,probably tomorrow,Thank you!

[BECAMOSES]

The security light is blinking before I put the key in the ignition and when I try to start it and it doesn't turn over(I just get the clicks and everything on the dash panel lights up seat moves etc) the security light is not lit at all ,no blinking, not lit solid red, just like it is off.Again if I push they key in and hold it it will then crank???? When it cranks the security light remains off.
Thanks

[zach7685]

Sounds like your starter is going bad. Mine does it afew times a month. Just keep trying the key and keep a hammer in the trunk just incase

[BECAMOSES]

Thanks Zach,
Anybody else had this issue,does anybody think i could need a new key or a new ignition,the part that the key goes into? just guessing here still?? Thanks

[4xq]

>>> " I just get the clicks"

Clicks indicate bad connections at the battery, low charging voltage, bad connections at the starter, maybe a bad starter solenoid.

Put a voltmeter on the truck when its running and make sure you are getting at least 13.5 volts charging voltage.

Clean & tighten battery terminals. Follow the cable / wires on the negative terminal back to where they connect to the fender / engine, and retighten those connections.

If you know what you are doing, check connections at the starter for tightness.

[BECAMOSES]

Thank you,I really dont know what I am doing........where is the starter? somewhere near the transmission,just guessing and will it throw a code if the starter is going out or wait till it just completely goes or no code at all,I love my Qx4 and want to take care of it.
Thanks

[4xq]

I'm sorry, I missed the part in your first post where you said you jumped the vehicle and it didn't help. So just ignore my last post.

It does sound like your ignition switch may be the problem. Try to start the truck in neutral - if wiggling the shifter around in neutral does not help, then probably the park neutral safety switch is not the problem.

At this point, it could also be a couple of relays, but because wiggling the ignition key seems to work, I would lean towards the switch as the problem. Here is the parts diagram:

http://www.courtesyparts.com/-c-4700_47 ... _4886.html

Scroll down to year 2002 - 2004. This is a pathfinder diagram, but your part is the same. Part 48750 is the starter switch. That is the electrical part of the switch and can be replaced separately - not that expensive.

If the lock cylinder assembly has a problem, then you would need part 48700 which is more expensive, comes with a new keyset, and will have to be programmed at the dealer. Probably worth trying the switch first just to see for sure.

You could also order the starter switch at Rockauto.com for about 30.00 + shipping. Its under Electrical switch and relay, starter switch.

[pdubs1984]

I'm sorry, I missed the part in your first post where you said you jumped the vehicle and it didn't help. So just ignore my last post.

It does sound like your ignition switch may be the problem. Try to start the truck in neutral - if wiggling the shifter around in neutral does not help, then probably the park neutral safety switch is not the problem.

At this point, it could also be a couple of relays, but because wiggling the ignition key seems to work, I would lean towards the switch as the problem. Here is the parts diagram:

http://www.courtesyparts.com/-c-4700_47 ... _4886.html

Scroll down to year 2002 - 2004. This is a pathfinder diagram, but your part is the same. Part 48750 is the starter switch. That is the electrical part of the switch and can be replaced separately - not that expensive.

If the lock cylinder assembly has a problem, then you would need part 48700 which is more expensive, comes with a new keyset, and will have to be programmed at the dealer. Probably worth trying the switch first just to see for sure.

You could also order the starter switch at Rockauto.com for about 30.00 + shipping. Its under Electrical switch and relay, starter switch.

I just made another post about this problem, but I put my car in neutral and it cranked right up. What does that mean?

It sounds like I was having the same problem. Had the starter replaced a few months ago so I'm nervous I did that for no reason.

[4xq]

There is a park / neutral safety switch in the starting circuit. It ensures the vehicle can only be started with the transmission in park, or neutral. So it sounds like that switch may be the problem.

Next time you have a starting problem, see if putting the transmission in neutral works again. If that works each time you have a starting problem, that should make it a pretty quick diagnosis / fix for a mechanic.

[rgk]

If the car consistently starts in neutral and doesn't start in park, try removing your neutral safety switch and cleaning it. There may be corrosion at the terminals.

If the problem persists in neutral, check the wiring to the starter, including battery terminals.

[mikecontrol]

Hello Everyone,
I have similar problem with my QX4 2002. Without any previous signs, it won't just start. Battery is fine. It just cranks but will not start. I got my mechanic to check and he is suspecting ECU (BrainBox) problem. What could be the problem?

[atraudes]

Welcome to Nico!

Man, there are so many things it could be. How did he make the deduction that the ECU is at fault?

Basically you want to start by confirming air, fuel, and spark. When you pull the air filter and crank, can you or your lovely assistant feel air being sucked in? When you hook up a pressure gauge to the fuel rail (available to borrow at most parts stores), do you see pressure immediately after turning the key to On and while cranking? Spark's a little more difficult...I'll let someone else pipe in with a technique for checking that.

Is it throwing any codes? Are you positive it has gas in the tank (seems obvious, but it wouldn't be the first time)? Are there any signs of corrosion or damaged wiring coming off the battery or fuse boxes? Are there any blown fuses?

[mikecontrol]

Thanks atraudes for the response. Every fuse was checked one by one and all are ok. He was able to suck fuel via the fuel rail even with his mouth, but when we crank we can't see fuel coming out. Didn't check the air filter. Battery is fairly new and no corrosion is observed. He also said current is not getting to the spark plugs and nozzle.

[atraudes]

No fuel and no spark? If it's not throwing any codes, then it does sound like an ECU problem. If something like the crankshaft position sensor was bad I could see the ECU not knowing the engine is turning and therefore not activating the fuel pump, spark plugs, and injectors, but that should throw a code

[mikecontrol]

Thanks. I will get someone else to do a scan

[SkunkApe]

I am having a similar problem this morning with my 2003 Pathfinder.

The tail light relay is clicking without the key in the truck. When I push the break in it stops , but the truck will not start. I also cannot move the transmission into neutral. After playing with the key the truck started.

Any ideas?

[cdvhcob]

That is the same issue I am having with my daughter's 2002 Pathfinder! Please bear with me, I usually refer to parts as thingy majigs so my technical terms my not be exactly right and my brilliant mechanic is not here at the moment. How exactly should the wiring for the ignition(harness) look? It looks like someone routed the wiring wrong (yellow zip ties hold wires in place). My question is should the wires run up the side of the steering column closer to the drivers door or should they run up the other side? I hope that makes some kind of sense. I have a picture if that will help but I can't figure out how to upload it.