2000 Nissan Maxima SE

2xx.xxx miles


I have been having this problem for about 3 months.

Backstory.

I had changed my master and slave clutch cylinders around Aug/Sept of 2023, couldn't get it bled so I had a mechanic check my cylinders and work all day to half bleed it and charge me 200 bucks. Yay. Running again. Bought a new battery in November. January of 2024 my no crank no start appeared. It wasn't constant and would start sometimes after wiggling and trying a few times.


I put my key in, all dash lights come on, turn key and nothing. No starter noise or clicks. I get busy and don't work on it for a month. During this month at random points I attempted to start it. I would say it'd crank and start 1 out of every 25+ tries but be super inconsistent.


I started by checking my fuses which were all good, replaced them anyway and try it, nothing happens. I test my battery and it's good, attempt to give it a jump start and it works. I let it idle a few and cut it off to tried starting it again and nothing. I try to jump it again and it's not working now.


I replace my battery terminals at this point, still not starting often. So I go to the ignition and hit it a few times and crank it and it runs. Can't replicate reliably. I go buy a new ignition switch and install thinking Ive found the peoblem. Not at yet.


My buddy comes help and we start checking the relays and tapping them. Starts again but not often. I get new relays and this still doesn't correct the issue. During the last week, my buddy and I found that he tends to get it to crank and start 85% of the time but I can't get it even 10%. I figured the car hated me now and just wanted a new owner.


Tonight, I believe I found my issue. My clutch had a tiny bit of left to right play and had lost the rubber button that pushes the switch that tells the relay the clutch is depressed so the car can start. Nearly every time my friend hit the clutch he caught the edge of the button, When I pressed the clutch I wouldn't catch the edge and the button would just pass through the hole on the clutch pedal.


My buddy got down and pressed the button with his hand while I tried starting it and it immediately worked.


I hope this info helps someone! Thank you for this post and every resource this site provides!