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Ignition problem

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Old Sep 29, 2003 | 09:00 AM
  #1  
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Ignition problem

My problem is that sometimes when I go to start the car nothing happens , when i turn the ignition switch nothing.............I mean nothing
no noises

I have changed the ignition switch, starter, ignition relay (blue) and I still keep getting the same problem, ocassionally i turned the key about 20-30 times in the morning

I 've had this problem for about 10 yrs and in those 10 years i have tried those solutions.....

Over the weekend I bought a new starter and it was fine for 2 days,
the car started every time i turned the key and

then this morning it happened again on the first try no start no click no nothing.....2nd try car started......

Please help anyone.....
I read about changing the ignition / inhibitor relay...

Thanks....................
Old Sep 29, 2003 | 09:22 AM
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What year/Model?
Did you try using the key to lock and unlock the passenger side door?
Old Sep 29, 2003 | 09:30 AM
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From: Queens NY
1990 maxima se.............

you answered the wrong thread............


thanks
Old Sep 29, 2003 | 01:01 PM
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woo hoo - my 1989 Maxima SE does the same thing. It just started all of a sudden. However, I get ignition, just no starter activity. Then, it will crank full and strong. My current theory is that the clutch interlock is sticking. Then again, at times, I suspect something in the switch itself... Thinking about this, if it were the switch, then I would not expect to see consistent on behavior.
Old Sep 29, 2003 | 01:51 PM
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Are you talking about the switch where your foot goes....
I had it checked (OK) and still kept doing it....

I am noticing lately that when there is high moister in the air it happens....more often.......something is getting damped..maybe

10 years and still happened, there has to be an answer

Thanks..............
Old Sep 29, 2003 | 03:03 PM
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Originally Posted by scrui
Are you talking about the switch where your foot goes....
I had it checked (OK) and still kept doing it....

I am noticing lately that when there is high moister in the air it happens....more often.......something is getting damped..maybe

10 years and still happened, there has to be an answer

Thanks..............

I don't mean to insult you or anything, but are you sure your pushing the clutch pedal all the way in? my gf couldn't get my car started and got ****ed off. almost broke my key and it turns out that she didn't push the pedal in all the way...
Old Sep 29, 2003 | 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by LittlePiggie
I don't mean to insult you or anything, but are you sure your pushing the clutch pedal all the way in? my gf couldn't get my car started and got ****ed off. almost broke my key and it turns out that she didn't push the pedal in all the way...
I wish it was that simple..........

yes I know about the switch behind the clutch pedal......

is there a relay switch i dont know about it ?????????????

man, I once even took the car to nissan because the car would not start at all had the car
towed $100
nissan not only held my car for about 4 days for what reason I don't know......

their suggestion.....you need a new alternator and recharge the battery $450
They never claimmed they had found the problem.....
three days later bang car did not want to start....

Turn the keys about 2 or 3 times until the car started.....

It has something to do with sending the signal to the starter....

anyway I love my Maxima and even though I have this problem...

I will not give up on it..........
Old Sep 29, 2003 | 07:58 PM
  #8  
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i have the same problem mine is auto i turn the switch and nothing lucky for me i have an automatic starter.
Old Sep 29, 2003 | 10:46 PM
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I am too lazy to post it here again since I just replied to another guy at:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=252191


hoped that helps. Make sure you check the fuses too since the most simpliest solution can be the most overlooked answer most of the time too.
Old Sep 30, 2003 | 12:17 PM
  #10  
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I read it ,.......thanks for the tips

Ignition Module ????/
How much???????
Old Oct 3, 2003 | 07:50 AM
  #11  
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From: Queens NY
Originally Posted by LittlePiggie
I don't mean to insult you or anything, but are you sure your pushing the clutch pedal all the way in? my gf couldn't get my car started and got ****ed off. almost broke my key and it turns out that she didn't push the pedal in all the way...
Just wanted to let u know, it was the switch behind the clutch pedal

you actually had me rethink the switch...went to nissan and bought new switch ( inexpensive) so far so good....3 days and about 20 starts with no problems.............

Viva el MAXIMA.....................
Old Oct 12, 2003 | 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted by scrui
Just wanted to let u know, it was the switch behind the clutch pedal

you actually had me rethink the switch...went to nissan and bought new switch ( inexpensive) so far so good....3 days and about 20 starts with no problems.............

Viva el MAXIMA.....................

Good for you. I do believe I'll swap my switch as well. Next comes the start relay if there is one.... my starting problem is a little different. If I pushh in the clutch and just hold the ignition in Start, then it will either start immediately or delay from 1 to 5 seconds. Then, it catches, cranks strong, and fires right up....

chg
Old Oct 12, 2003 | 06:18 PM
  #13  
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From: Queens NY
I had the same problem to with delay...I know exactly what you are talking about.....
Just do the switch behind the clutch first.......

update ........since the lastpost 2 weeks and no misses at all..........knock on wood.....

later.....
Old Oct 13, 2003 | 02:48 AM
  #14  
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Cool! sometimes the simple, cheap stuff turns out to be the problem when it appears to be something much larger/more expensive. One of my friends had a Toyota and his battery kept draining. I discovered that his brake lights were staying on when the car was off. I traced from the brake light to the swith behind the brake pedal with my meter and pulled the switch out, and lights went out. Replaced switch and No more problem!
Old Nov 8, 2003 | 07:43 PM
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crud - wasn't the switch...

well, my max won't crank at all now... I've resorted to parking on hills, etc. until I track this down. I changed the clutch safety switch today - no joy - I can actually hear the relay responding to the switch, so I know that part works. Next comes the starter relay....


<rant> Had to go to the dealer for this switch... $28?!!!!!! give me a break... and dealerships want to know (maybe they don't) why people hate to take their cars to them?
</rant>
Old Nov 9, 2003 | 12:42 AM
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my car was doing this too!!!
i got fed up messing around with relays and wiring so what i did was run a wire(14 ga.) from the starter signal wire (white/red) to the ignition signal wire (black/yellow) which starts on the ignition backing. and KAPPPOWWW!!! it's been starting great (everytime) for two weeks now. it's such a relief. hope this helps ya out.
Old Nov 9, 2003 | 05:23 AM
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Originally Posted by -shock211-
my car was doing this too!!!
i got fed up messing around with relays and wiring so what i did was run a wire(14 ga.) from the starter signal wire (white/red) to the ignition signal wire (black/yellow) which starts on the ignition backing. and KAPPPOWWW!!! it's been starting great (everytime) for two weeks now. it's such a relief. hope this helps ya out.
Still goin' ghetto on it, huh.
did you get one of em ricer start buttons?
Old Nov 9, 2003 | 05:59 AM
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Originally Posted by internetautomar
Still goin' ghetto on it, huh.
did you get one of em ricer start buttons?
it's not that ghetto.
no start button required. the wiring i did just bypasses a few relays and harnesses. the problem must have been in that mess somewhere. i replaced the relays and that didn't help so i just bypassed everything tucked the wiring away and everything looks stock. and most importantly....it works!!!
Old Nov 9, 2003 | 06:08 AM
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Originally Posted by -shock211-
it's not that ghetto.
no start button required. the wiring i did just bypasses a few relays and harnesses. the problem must have been in that mess somewhere. i replaced the relays and that didn't help so i just bypassed everything tucked the wiring away and everything looks stock. and most importantly....it works!!!
Just check on the wires every now and then. alot of voltage passes through the circuit if you bypass the relay. Ford had a problem where the switch caught on fire!
Old Nov 9, 2003 | 07:25 AM
  #20  
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it's the starter relay!!!! I just went out, based on a number of posts I read, and located the starter relay. With my son trying to crank, I tapped it with a screw driver - VROOM VROOM.... quick trip to the parts store, and everything should be good.
Old Nov 9, 2003 | 07:28 AM
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Yaaayyy!!
Finally a good reason for it
Old Nov 9, 2003 | 07:32 AM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by internetautomar
did you get one of em ricer start buttons?
I have a write up for those on my Car Domain site.
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