94 Nissan Pickup Won't Start

[waynesworld27]

First off, remove replace all those factory plugs/connectors at the battery post with solid/direct connections.
Second, make sure that BOTH of the battery cables, both positive AND negative are in GOOD SHAPE on BOTH ends.
Third, it could be a Stater Relay; a co-manager that used to work for me had to replace his every other year.
hope this helps

[waynesworld27]

AAAHHHH!!!!
Forgot about the blasted clutch switch!!!!
Must check!!!
Get rid of!!
or by=pass it

[MMCCMM]

1991 2.4 L p/u. I had the same type of intermitant starting problem about 2 week ago. Heard the click but no start. My starter is only 4 months old and I have a new battery. I changed out the starter relay and it started everytime for a week until today. Back to the intermitant problem. I am able to start it by holding the key in the ignition position and pumping the clutch a bit to engage and disengage the CCS. Each time it engages it will click and then finally start after a few times. One guy above said that rules out the CCS as a problem but I am not sure about that. Any thoughts on where to turn next?

[MMCCMM]

I actually found a bad starter ground wire. Cleaning the contacts and reattaching it seems to have solved my problem.

[Stitz Love]

Hello bigbill66,
I have been having the same problem with my '93 4 Cyl. 5-speed manual, FI truck. I too, have replaced the ignition relay, and the battery, bypassed the CSS, ... then Sunday (1-14-'07) smacked the starter with a 2x2 a few times and she has started 4 times so far.
I am going to replace the starter one evening this week, and wondered if you would share your technique for removing and installing the starter, as you indicated in one of your posts, "...in minutes, now...".
The Haynes manual I bought is not really specific enough, it looks like it's going to be pretty tight and more difficult than they let on.
I think many 'ol Nissan p/u owners, like myself would appreciate a little step-by-step, time saver.
Would you post it, or e-mail me, please? Thanks in advance!
-Stitz.

[Grug]

Where exactly is this starter relay (on my 2 wheel drive 2.4 1993)? I found a black box with relays in it in the engine compartment and above the passenger wheel, but there's nothing to indicate an ignition / starter relay.

I took my starter off this morning...certainly not in minutes. The bolts are 14mm and what a time I had inching them out! I went back and forth between a small socket and a wrench. Finally, when I got both bolts out, I had to maneuver the starter down and toward the back of the truck before I could actually pull it free. Ugggh!

I'm not looking forward to having to start that top bolt once the starter goes back in! It's all I can do to fit my hand in above the starter... and I don't have big hands.

[joeyd50]

I have a 1994 Nissan 4X4 pick up automatic with the 3.0 motor, the problem is when I go to start my truck, I turn the key, hear a click and I hold the key in the start position and in about 2 to 4 seconds the truck will crank and start. The 2 to 4 seconds I'm holding the key nothing happens and then all of a sudden she'll start cranking and start right up. Any ideas what's causing this?
Thanks
Joe

[Stitz Love]

Hey Joe,
This is a long thread with a lot of great info in it.
For me, it was the Starter.
Replacing the starter on my '93 is such a time consuming hassleand I mean "HASSLE", for someone of my limited mechanical skills and no work space. So I paid $385. for parts and labor at a Nissan specialist repair center.
The Starter was (is) a Nissan Factory rebuild and so has great warranty, great reputation, and the labor also with great warranty.
It was worth it to me.
There are less expensive ways to replace your starter... maybe $120. cash and $260.00 worth of your own time. Given the difficulty I have with the location of the starter... having to remove a freakin' TIRE to get it out.. etc. .. not haveing a garage to work in.. etc.
It's a call you need to make for yourself.
I can only add that these vehicles are really worth keeping up... repairing when they need etc.
I have 217,000. miles on mine and it's still going strong.

[joeyd50]

Turned out to be a bad battery.
Joe

[Dan O]

I have been chasing this problem on my Nissan 1995 pickup for several months now with no obvious success until today (hopefully). I have replaced the starter twice (the first time was for a bad starter clutch), the battery twice, the clutch inhibit relay several times, and most of the wiring which connects the relay to the starter.

The problem has been intermittent with long periods of not showing its ugly head to times when it crops up every day. Recently it occurred every day, usually in the morning on the way to work. When I turned the key I either heard a click or a stutter from the clutch inhibit relay, or in some cases nothing. Using a multimeter I would trace the fault back a ways until the starter began acting normally and thus preventing me from continuing to chase the problem.

Today I managed to isolate the problem to the ignition switch. This switch has two major components, one is the steering wheel lock and the portion where the key is inserted, and the other is the electrical switch. The mechanical linkage between the two components had become slightly worn and loose. The steering wheel lock portion limits key rotation to prevent the electrical switch from rotating beyond the start position. The wear and loose allowed the electrical portion of the switch to rotate far enough that the limit on key rotation prevented the key from being able to activate the starter. I simply rotated the electrical portion back and tightened the screw holding it and viola, the starter engaged reliably. Before I tightened the screw I was able to keep the key from starting the car by rotating the switch one way and force it to start the car by rotating it the other way.

I think the switch will eventually get loose again, so this is probably not a permanent fix. Since Schucks wants $160 + shipping for a new ignition switch, I will probably simply install a button on the dash which I can push to engage the starter.

[jmshaw80]

Here is a new one for everyone, any help is greatly appreciated:
I have a 1992 Nissan Pickup with 2.4L engine. I tried to start one day, but had no power when turning key to ON. I replaced battery, but the old one was fine. I replaced the ignition switch and the truck had dash lights and started fine. A couple of days later I had the no dash lights problem again. Battery checked out fine. Clock on dash is on when key is off, then goes blank and resets itself when the ignition is turned to ACC or ON. Truck doesn't start. Replaced switch again, but had the same problem. Am I getting bad switches, or is this a different problem?

[grammysuex4]

I have a 1994 Nissan truck, 5 speed 4 cyl. It has a new battery, new cables, altenator and starter, however it will not turn over. Its like the battery is dead and there is a clicking under the dash, but not from the battery when you try to start it. All lights and accessories work. The truck sometimes acted like it wasn't going to crank before. Is it the ignition switch or is there a switch when you push in the clutch to start it? You do have to engage the clutch before cranking even in neutral. Help please if you can

[cuch13]

I have a 95 Nissan p/u in very good condition. I have done most of my own maintenance. As for the starting problem, it is usually the starter and alternators every 4 years. This time I have detected a new problem. I am almost positive of the source since it is starting sometimes and not others (the starter and alternators are both less than 2 years old).

I believe, though have not confirmed yet, that the problem is probably the relay switch between the clutch pedal and the starter. Since it will start sometimes after a couple of pumps on the clutch, this makes the most sense. It might be worth investigating this on your own truck. It is a cheap and easy fix. I am going to go check it out today since I finally have time to!!!

It seems to me that a lot of you are experiencing the same issues. Intermittant starts. Good luck!!! Not bad for a girl, eh?

[cuch13]

Looks like some of you beat me to it....ah well. I felt really smart for a few minutes!!

[honestabe49]

Originally Posted by bigbillm66

Replaced the ignition switch and the truck would still not start, so I took off the starter again last night. I now can get it off in minutes, I've done it so many times. With the starter off, placed a wire from the battery to the large connector on the Solenoid. Turned the key and once again nothing happened. Pulled the connector that goes to the small cable off the the solenoid, this is the cable that goes to the key switch. Shorted this small connector directly to the battery and the starter turned. Apparently, I have a problem with this small cable that goes back to the key switch. I have no wiring diagram, so will have to try and trace it back. Also, not sure how the key gets it's power. It appears I either have a problem with the power going to the key or the cable from the key to the Starter Solenoid. At least I narrowed it down.

Hi BigBill66 I have a 93 nissan PU 4 CYL , I'm having a hard time figuring out how to get to the top bolt up almost against the firewall under the intake,My question is how do I get a socket on that top bolt?. I have had problems with that cc relay or what I thought was a starter relay when it was high humidity it would act up so I would hit it and it would start. But Todays problem is 2 weeks ago I was having problems with my 4 yr old battery it had a dry cell so I added water to the one cell 2 wks later on a cold morning it barely started so I went and bought a new battery . Nothing happened no crank at all, Should I tie the wires together on the clutch safety switch? Maybe Bypass the two blue plug in relay boxes on the passenger side wheel well near the battery if so How? I live alone and have no neighbors or relatives near. Any help to get the starter off and anyway to get my truck running would be greatly appreciated Greg