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please help asap. my car wont start and im about 500 miles from home

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Old 06-29-2011, 08:56 PM
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please help asap. my car wont start and im about 500 miles from home

i have a 97 manual maxima and my ignition switch will not power anything for some reason, not the accesories, radio, the starter or anything. doesnt even click. luckily i had a new one in my car and hooked that up but still nothing. checked every individual fuse in the car and under the hood. am i missing something or didnt check something?everything in the car works except the thing that turn on when the ignition switch is turned to on.anyone please help me otherwise im stranded or hit me up 6108008599
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Old 06-29-2011, 08:59 PM
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explain how this happened , did it hanppen while u were driving
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Old 06-29-2011, 08:59 PM
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if u were in ny i would meet u up
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Old 06-29-2011, 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by colombianmaxima
explain how this happened , did it hanppen while u were driving
went in to get a drink and tried to start it and this happened. dont kno,if so, if a relay would affect this.any relay controls the igniton switch?
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Old 06-29-2011, 09:15 PM
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try tappiinng the starter , check for any water/corrsion by the fuses/relays on hood,


yuor battery is good ? headlights work at all?
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Old 06-29-2011, 09:18 PM
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Originally Posted by colombianmaxima
try tappiinng the starter , check for any water/corrsion by the fuses/relays on hood,


yuor battery is good ? headlights work at all?
everything in the car works. the ignition switch is just not working. no acc, no on postion, no start.
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Old 06-29-2011, 09:23 PM
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u can turn the key though? or it stays locked the ignition
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Old 06-29-2011, 09:24 PM
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Originally Posted by colombianmaxima
u can turn the key though? or it stays locked the ignition
yes im able to turn the key
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Old 06-29-2011, 09:25 PM
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wait do you have like a rs or an alarm , if so then it most likerly that bc i had this same problem with my 99 and it was the way the alarm was installed
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Old 06-29-2011, 09:25 PM
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im going to check my max right now
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Old 06-29-2011, 09:32 PM
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Originally Posted by colombianmaxima
wait do you have like a rs or an alarm , if so then it most likerly that bc i had this same problem with my 99 and it was the way the alarm was installed
i dont use that bull****.lol
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Old 06-29-2011, 09:32 PM
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does the key feel weird when you turn it? i've had the metal part that actually turns the switch break in half on me before
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Old 06-29-2011, 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Roosky
does the key feel weird when you turn it? i've had the metal part that actually turns the switch break in half on me before
i use a flat head directly to the ignition switch cuz i dont have a key assembly since it broke
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Old 06-29-2011, 09:43 PM
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Could it be possible that you are a victim of the infamous 99 immobilizer?

Edit: Never mind, I miss read that you have a 97. Sorry.
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Old 06-29-2011, 09:44 PM
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is it a 99?
is the red security light on?
it could be immobilzed thats what happen to me
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Old 06-29-2011, 09:52 PM
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Originally Posted by MAXEnvasion
is it a 99?
is the red security light on?
it could be immobilzed thats what happen to me
its aa 97 and for future ref, even if the immobilizer is engadged, the on position can be aquired, just wont get spark to start the car
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Old 06-29-2011, 09:52 PM
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You always have the option of hitting the starter or jumping the car (the old fashion way) by pushing it and starting it in 2nd gear?
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Old 06-29-2011, 10:01 PM
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Originally Posted by neocry
You always have the option of hitting the starter or jumping the car (the old fashion way) by pushing it and starting it in 2nd gear?
he cant get the switch to work ( get it to "on" position) So ECU doesnt get the power, so starting it in 2nd gear or hitting the starter wont do anything.

Is your spare switch a known good switch?
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Old 06-29-2011, 10:06 PM
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Last resort for me would be taking advise from this video (screw driver in the ignition bid).

http://www.youtube.com/user/boredmde...26/4ykT9uCJXSY
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Old 06-29-2011, 10:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Roosky
he cant get the switch to work ( get it to "on" position) So ECU doesnt get the power, so starting it in 2nd gear or hitting the starter wont do anything.

Is your spare switch a known good switch?
brand new oem
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Old 06-29-2011, 10:10 PM
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Is it possible that the battery is strong enough to power lights, etc., but not enough to engage the ignition?
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Old 06-29-2011, 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by vw3819
Is it possible that the battery is strong enough to power lights, etc., but not enough to engage the ignition?
not possible
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Old 06-29-2011, 10:12 PM
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i feel like its ur battery bc if u tried everything , and things still somewehat turn on seems like maybe battery low , bc i just pulled some fuses and then i put in a almost dead babtery and it almost had the same symtopms as urs
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Old 06-29-2011, 10:13 PM
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but mines a 99 with electrical problem
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Old 06-29-2011, 10:27 PM
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Have you actually tried to jump the car (with jumper cables)? If not, just try it.
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Old 06-29-2011, 10:43 PM
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Originally Posted by neocry
Have you actually tried to jump the car (with jumper cables)? If not, just try it.
Y would i jump the car if it wont.engage into the on position. Itll just shut off.
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Old 06-29-2011, 10:50 PM
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Originally Posted by K31J1m0N
Y would i jump the car if it wont.engage into the on position. Itll just shut off.
Dude, I'm just trying to rule out all the possibilities that's all.

Starter: no
Ignition: no
Immobilizer/alarm: no
Jump start 2nd gear: no
Battery: you say hell no.
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Old 06-29-2011, 10:52 PM
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Originally Posted by neocry
Dude, I'm just trying to rule out all the possibilities that's all.

Starter: no
Ignition: no
Immobilizer/alarm: no
Jump start 2nd gear: no
Battery: you say hell no.
I agree. Try and rule stuff out. So far, it sounds battery related, then sounds starter related, then ignition related. Try jumping it if you can. Since you said there is no power at all, lets see if someone elses battery will allow lights and radio to atleast come on.
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Old 06-29-2011, 10:56 PM
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It has to be your ignition switch or wiring from the switch to the battery that's gone.!
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Old 06-29-2011, 11:00 PM
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Can you hear the ignition relay or acc relay click on when you turn the key to these positions? Those relays are just to the left of the fuse box.
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Old 06-29-2011, 11:02 PM
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I'm not sure those relays are the same try swapping them out if they are.
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Old 06-29-2011, 11:22 PM
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If you have an auto trans, is it in Park? Wiggle the battery terminals and see if they are on the battery posts (really tight).
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Old 06-29-2011, 11:29 PM
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wow, you people sure lke to repeat urselfs sometimes. you sure you put the switch in right?? all wires are tight and connected??? you might want to check that.
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Old 06-30-2011, 12:29 AM
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figured it out. the ignition fuse blew internally. something told me to completly rip that ***** apart and it was mangled. the metal strep was fine to the eye and tested fine but interanlly was ****ed. thanks for all who tried to help and those who just throw answers out there without reading . :-) and special thanks to the dude who called me to make sure i was straight
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Old 06-30-2011, 10:18 AM
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Kudos !^
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