i30dvr

iTrader: (6)

ok so this has been an intermittent problem for about a month or so. I will go to turn the key to acc/pwr on and you can hear the fuel pump prime and i have radio/lights etc, but when i turn to start it i get nothing. the batt. is good etc....so its not a dead battery. sometimes if i let it sit the stick the key back in it will fire right up.....anyone ever experienced this? i was thinking maybe the starter switch....i figured if it was the lock cylinder then it would be hard to turn. any ideas?

hornepirate

iTrader: (23)

sounds like the ignition switch...mine does the same thing...its like a $20 part and pretty easy to change once you get the column covers taken off

ill go and turn my car sometime 4 or 5 times ( i dont get anything but a prime) then it will turn over...out of the 5 nissans i have this happened to 3 of them so i think it would be safe to say its a common issue....just replace the switch and you should be good to go

i30dvr

iTrader: (6)

is the igntion switch and starter switch the same thing? so to replace it i will just take the clam shells apart and its located near the lock cylinder?

hornepirate

iTrader: (23)

http://www.courtesyparts.com/48750-s...ml?cPath=1783&

thats the OEM nissan one you need...im sure you could go aftermarket for cheap...and yeah near the lock cylinder

i30dvr

iTrader: (6)

ok cool, yea i work at advance plus its local so hopefully that one will work out ok....

cardana24

iTrader: (81)

ignition switch...it's a common problem in our cars.

Maxmentum

Your description above is exactly what has happened to me twice so far. However, for me, removing and re-inserting the key did not work. I had to put the car in Neutral, move it an inch or so, put it back in park then start ...

... something to do with the alignment of some thingy on the starter with another thingy on the engine ...

... maybe someone can explain what the problem might be.

hornepirate

iTrader: (23)

replace the ignition switch...its a cheap part then check the starter and whatever else...when trouble shooting ALWAYS do the cheapest repair first...rule out the more expensive things

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

There is a switch in your shift lever linkage called the Neutral Safety Starter Switch. Its purpose in life is to prevent yoy from starting the car if the transmission shift lever is in gear, i.e. not in neutral or park positions.

Like any part in a car, it may need to be adjusted (or replaced) as the car ages.

i30dvr

iTrader: (6)

Ok well I replaced the ignition starter switch and its still doing it. For some background my car is 5spd but was swapped from auto and still retains auto ecu. I don't think the neutral safety switch is doing anything now since I didn't have this problem till now and its been swapped for about 6months. Cananyone comment on this? Could it also be the starter? Like a bad spot or weak solenoid?

cardana24

iTrader: (81)

clean the connection on the solenoid and also make sure your battery terminals are not corroded or loose. I had a similar problem when my terminals had a bunch of corrosion on them.

MaximaSpd85

iTrader: (14)

try lifting up on the key as u turn it....thats the only way mine will start up. and i have a friend whose 4th gen does the same thing. hes actually the one who told me thats what it was, cuz sometimes i would get stuck and couldnt get mine to start until he told me that. now its just a natural movement.

and if you think it may be a starter....this is what i would do if i were you and worked at Advance Auto...try one out and see if it works?

DBear

I chased the same problem for months, and finally figured it out. There's a slot in the ignition switch that fits into a little T shaped flanged in the steering column. As these cars get older, they develop a little slop between the flange and the ignition switch, and sometimes turning the key doesn't quiiiiite make the ignition switch go far enough over. I solved it by putting a tiny piece of electrical tape in the slot on the switch, like this:

.

If you're having the problem frequently, you can also test by taking the ignition switch out of the column and using a screwdriver in the slot to start it. If it works every time, this is probably your problem.

LeFrank99

Could also be the starter itself... mine was doing the same thing...
Try to hit the starter gently wwhile some1 is turning the key if the starter turn a bit or even start the car, your starter is gone.

I had the same symptoms and thought it was the ignition switch but it was the starter.