OK, I'm at my wits end here with this damn start-up issue I've been having. I've had three different shops, including Nissan, look at my my car to see if they can figure out what the problem is. Nissan and one guy said the starter, another said the flywheel. Here's the issue.

Sometimes the car will just not start. Depress the clutch, turn the key, nothing. All you can here is the fuel pump. No clicking or groaning or anything. The only way it will start is if I take a screwdriver to the terminals on the starter solenoid. Then it starts up no problem. There's about a 50\50 chance of it not starting.

So, heeding the advice of Nissan and the other tech, I score a new starter (part was under warranty, so no coin out of my pocket). Install it and everything was fine for a day, then the same thing starts to happen.

The most recent tech I talked to said it may be either the neutral safety switch, or the starter relay. He doesn't think it's a bad flywheel, stating that the starter would still grind against the teeth.

I haven't addressed the switch or relay yet, but I figured I would throw this out there and see what you guys thought, and if you had any suggestions on other things that may be the issue.

Not sure if it matters, but the battery is relatively new (about 8 or 9 months old). All connections are secure and intact.

Any and all info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

There is a electrical switch similar to your brake stop switch mounted on the clutch pedal bracket. Make sure that when the clutch is depressed that the contact plate on the pedal is engaging the switch fully. Or you could do as I did on my 4h and unplug it and put a peper clip in it so you don't have to press the clutch to start. Try that and see what happens.

 

Sounds like the neutral safety switch to me.

 

It's a five speed not auto

 

It would be very sad if this turns out to be the problem with the clutch interlock switch and 3 shops could not figure it out.

- Vikas

 

The neurtal safety switch is on the clutch pedal on a 5 speed manual. It is to make sure the clutch is depressed before it will let the motor start.

 

I never heard it called that on a 5spd. It has from what I know a clutch start switch.

 

thanks for the info, guys. i'll be sure to check the switch on the clutch pedal. i found these diagrams on courtesy's site:



i'm pretty sure this is the switch you guys are talking about located on the clutch pedal.


here's another diagram, of the neutral position switch (not sure if this is the same as a neutral safety switch?)

 

check that the neutral safety switch is powering up the starter relay! If the relay isn't getting voltage from the safety switch then I would point all the fault at the neutral safety switch! Bypass the relay (with a jumper between the contact points that got closed by the coil) and attempt to start it, if it starts its your relay!

 

Anyone have step by step instructions on how to replace a park position/neutral position switch on a automatic 2003 Max?