Not starting issues

Tiny
ROSSASBURY
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 NISSAN XTERRA
  • 3.3L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 162,741 MILES
When I press the clutch down it will not start. Don’t know if it’s a bad spot in the clutch or if it’s a starter or if it’s a neutral safety switch? If I roll in neutral and pop the clutch then try to start it it’ll start sometimes or like today I shut it off then tried to to start it and it wouldn’t start. Then I waited a couple hours and tried to go back out and start it then it started. So I don’t know where to start to figure out the problem of why it won’t start. Does anyone have any suggestions on what might be going on? And thank you In advance.
Wednesday, April 1st, 2020 AT 8:57 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good morning,

I would start by checking the battery to be sure it has enough power to work the starter motor.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

The neutral switch is the clutch switch. That is what controls power to the starter motor.

I attached a wiring diagram for you to view. You need to verify power to the starter motor with the key in the start position.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Roy
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Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 AT 4:56 AM
Tiny
ROSSASBURY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
The battery is a 1/20 and all the lights come on fine and it won’t even try to turn over but if I roll it and pop the clutch, then it’ll turn over by the key sometimes.
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Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 AT 8:32 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
What is the voltage? What you posted makes no sense.

Roy
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Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 AT 8:52 AM
Tiny
ROSSASBURY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
See then I just went out and tried to start it from it not wanting to start at all last night to it starting right up today.
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Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 AT 8:52 AM
Tiny
ROSSASBURY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
There’s no voltage gauge. I’m trying to explain the best I can. If it won’t start and I roll it and pop the clutch then try turning over the key it’ll turn over sometimes. I think it’s a bad spot in clutch or starter but it’s still in the same place as last night. Last night it wouldn’t turn over, then I just went out and turned it and it started right up.
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Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 AT 8:58 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Again, what was the voltage?

You are going to need to do some wiring testing when it will not start.

Roy
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Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 AT 8:58 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
You need a volt meter to test for voltage and you will need that as well to do the testing that is required.

Roy
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Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 AT 8:59 AM
Tiny
ROSSASBURY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
It just started 5 times in a row. But if I drive it down the road and come back then it won’t start. I will go to a auto store right quick and have it tested.
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Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 AT 9:08 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Okay, keep me updated.

Roy
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Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 AT 9:10 AM
Tiny
ROSSASBURY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
It’s got 13.7 V 466 cca with a 460 cca.
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Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 AT 10:13 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Okay, you need to go to the clutch switch under the dash and check for voltage to the switch with the key in the start position.

Roy
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Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 AT 10:49 AM

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