Hey guys, i have a problem getting my car started. I just replaced the starter today and the battery has been checked and is up to par. All i get is all of my lights illuminating on the dash board, upon turning the key all of the lights go out, but the car will not start . The funny thing is when i remove the key all of my lights stay on (except the check engine light). A few minutes later i will hear a click and they will go out. Finally even when i turn the key on just to get radio power all of my lights light up, whereas usually these lights would come on just prior to starting up. How much would an ignition switch cost? Dam car spun once and died! The clicking is coming from underneath (interior) where the fuses are (3 light blue relays). My apologizes for the thesis.

 

Is your car Automatic or Stick???
I would assume probably Auto.. Soooo.. Did you try putting it in "N" then try startig .. I have seen this many times in other nissans that the sensor gets messed up.

 

Yes it is an auto. I have tried to start it in neutral and even park several times. I checked all of the fuses pertaining to ignition/battery all appear to check out o.k. My engine is not seized and has ample enough oil and antifreeze. Could it possibly be my ignition switch? 96se 156,000 plus miles.

 

If your starter and battery check out, sounds like a problem with either the ignition switch or the shift interlock system (the lock which prevents you from starting when not in P or N).

 

I have a $5 remote-starter switch which is basically 2 high-amp cables with big alligator clips on, and a big switch between them. You clip one end to the battery pos, and the other end to the solenoid input. It's not designed to take all the starter current - just to simulate you turning the ignition to 'start'. I use it for compression testing, mainly.

A tool like tis, or similar would be perfect for you to test if any ignition problems, or ignition 'logic' (ie gear-interlock, security system etc) is getting in the way.

To me it sounds like one of two things - either a purposefully inhibited start, such as security system etc, or it could be your battery cables not connected tightly enough, and arcing at the post. If it was me I'd remove all the battery cable connections and clean/reclamp them, both at the battery and starter. And I'd also remove and clean the conenctions for all the ground straps/cables, such as the motor ground and battery ground.

 

Thanks guys i will get right on it. Just in case you guys ever replace your starter the top bolt=15mm and the larger bolt=11/16. I used a half inch drive and cranked them towards the nose of the car, you may need to spray them a little should they give you some trouble. Otherwise everything else is self explanatory (intake plumbling). I cleaned my throttle out since i replaced my starter, thanks again! Oh and the small nut on the starter selonoid is 1/2 inch (use a boxed in wrench), gotta go!

 

Problem solved, my car spins like a top upon starting it! My old starter was getting a bit tired. I also replaced the ignition switch, and i recieved a free battery replacement from sears 100 month gold pkg, whereas my old battery was not holding a charge. Thanks, Happy New Year! 96se 156,750, Amsoil 0w-30,Dunlop SP 5000's. Oh and i cleaned my throttle body out! What a difference