PDubs

I'm stumped. Car has been working fine without any start-related issues. Tonight, all lights/radio/windows work without issue and at full power. As if to say, the windows didn't roll up or down any slower than usual. But when I turn the key to start the car, absolutely nothing happens other than the radio/clock turning off as it normally does when you start the car.

So what gives?

Everytime I turn the key fully forward, I hear a clicking noise in the fuse box immediately to the left of the steering column. The noise only happens as I move the key forward. If I hold the key as far as it will go, no clicking noise. Could this be related? Someone said try and jump the car, but since it wasn't even attempting to turn over, I figured it was pointless.

It seems to be a starter solenoid (if this car is equipped with one) or something starter-related since it doesn't even turn over at all. I'm going to try when it's warmer out tomorrow to see if that's related or not.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

89MaxGXEStock

could be your starter

DA-MAX

iTrader: (10)

I say starter too.

in the meantime get a wrench and lightly tap on the starter a few times,than try and start the car up.

89sks

I guess you could try and check all the fuses first and then I'd look into the starter, but I bet you already thought of this. Wish I could be of more help.

Good luck!

Freaknificent

iTrader: (1)

assuming you havea auto
is it fully in park?

PDubs

Thanks for the tips guys. I forgot about the one where you tap on the starter. Any tips as to where I could find it (I'm Maxima deficient)?

Freaknificent - Yes, the car is fully in the Park position when trying to start it.

sharky

with my 92 auto - lots of times I have to wiggle the stick a bit even though it is fully in the park position - then it starts. Seems a little bit of forward position on the stick is prefered to get the start. Hmm - sounds like the kind crap you'd expect from a Ford. lol. Not a nissan.
Hope this helps.

maxima2k2

ya i had the same problem one time....but then my uncle came over and checked but he didnt say how it did it, i have an auto too

sharky

so after your uncle checked it - did ya still have the same prob?
I figure its a loose micro swith. The one that wont let ya start when in gear. Minor pain in the rear thing you dont expect on this level of car.

phat

how is your battery cable? Is it tight and clean?

Maximus90

Yeah I'd say your starter too, same thing happened to me and I took it to the shop and they replaced my starter

PDubs

The battery contacts are clean and free from corrosion. I even took the leads off for a minute and put them back on with no luck.

Does anyone think this could be timing-belt related?

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

no. has absolutely nothing to do with the timing belt.

try putting the car in drive, then back to park. if it's the shifter switch, then it could be just a tad off.

it's goign to be either that or your starter/solenoid.

the starter is the blob sticking off the front of the transmission. the solenoid is the small blob sticking off the front of the large blob.
http://www.ee.utulsa.edu/~mblehm/pic...manifold_2.jpg

PDubs

Sharky/Matt93SE - You guys are absolutely correct.

I got a tow truck to come out, totally covered by my insurance company. The guy was really cool and he asks what's wrong with it. I tell him what I've tried, he then takes a seat. Tries to start it, no luck. Then he moves the shifter up and down a few times (while it was still in park). Bingo. Something's up with the switch.

It turns out that he used to work on Nissans for 13 years, and immediately knew the problem.

Thanks for the responses guys, gotta love this forum!

Clark_Kent

Where is the micro switch located?

todamax

iTrader: (6)

Wow, that was going to be my answer. It happened to my '89 the other day. My Dad told me to put it in neutral and try to start it. It worked. Since then, it has been fine.

I figured it is because my shifter bushing is ****ed, and it wasn't fully in park.