Ignition problem no lights on the dash when key is on will not start

Tiny
MEDWARDS31158
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 NISSAN SENTRA
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • 226,000 MILES
Put the key in the ignition turn it to the on position lights come on turn the key won't start, release the key lights go out no lights. Now when the key is on and it won't start. Headlights work, four way flashers work, the beeping of the door the key in the ignition work, other than that no lights on the dash. Batteries good, check the connections. The fuses all good. I haven't personally checked the relays or I'd not sure which ones to check underneath the hood. But that's what my problem is the car won't start, the lights won't come on the dash, I have no power to the ignition helping guide me. Also I have like a anti-theft key on the bottom left underneath the steering column. Maybe a car immobilizer usually has a red light on all the time when it's plugged in and it's not working.
Wednesday, December 19th, 2018 AT 10:12 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like you have an ignition switch problem but to be sure lets test this. please run down this guide and the wiring diagrams below to make sure you have power going through the switch.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find.

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Saturday, December 22nd, 2018 AT 1:16 PM
Tiny
MEDWARDS31158
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hi this is Michael Edwards I try to start my car on again and underneath the hood it blew the 30 amp fusible link fuse that runs the anti-theft system, starting/ charging system and the cruise control system. So with that fuse out and ignition off and the key out, I took a continuity test from behind ignition switch from the black wire with a yellow stripe to ground and there is continuity. Also there was a white wire with a red stripe on the backside of the ignition switch and I took a continuity test from there to ground and it showed continuity. Is there supposed to be continuity on both those wires to ground.
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Thursday, December 27th, 2018 AT 1:12 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
Wire 1 should have continuity between 4, 3 and 2 with the switch on. Can you confirm?
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Thursday, December 27th, 2018 AT 2:23 PM
Tiny
MEDWARDS31158
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Ken,

With the key in the on position from the white wire with the red stripe (assuming that is number 1 ) I have continuity on all the wires on switch.
Can you send a diagram of position 1 and where 4 3 2 are?
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 AT 10:25 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
Yes, check the wiring diagrams above they show the numbers.
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Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019 AT 10:26 AM
Tiny
MEDWARDS31158
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Ken,

We have unhooked stereo completely
Unhooked blower motor fan and resister for blower motor. And hard wired anti theft so there :') is no more key fob.

I sending you an attachment of the cover of the fuse box under the hood the 30 amp fuse that is blowing is the top one or when this cover is on like the pic shows the (FL30A. IGN SW) is the first fuse closest to and facing towards the windshield as I stand in front of car driver side. That 30 amp fuse is the one that blows.
This is what happens:
With key on off and stereo blower fan and resister disconnected and amti teft wired direct I turn key to acc. First position beeping for door open happens then turn to second position On lights on dash come on and from the time I turn the key to the on position you can count 1, 2, 3, 4 seconds and the 30 amp fuse glows like its arcing and blows. The metal on top of fuse melted and a gap. Every time It takes between three to four seconds to blow.
What do you think? Can you walk me through steps to trouble shoot. A site that has a complete wire diagram for a 1996 Sentra only? I notice the wire diagram you sent me is the right color code once the ignition wires go from the back of switch to first wire connection 9 inches from switch under steering column
The wires past that first connection is where your color code starts on your diagram. I couldn't figure out because I couldn't follow the colors from switch.
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Friday, January 4th, 2019 AT 9:59 AM
Tiny
MEDWARDS31158
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
It says you answered last question, but I don't see any answer. It's the question about the 30 amp fuse and why keeps blowing and hesitates to blow it takes one to four seconds to blow. Looking forward to your answer.
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Friday, January 4th, 2019 AT 11:48 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
Can you unplugging the ignition coil and the replacing the fuse? Turn the key on the see if the fuse blows.
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Saturday, January 5th, 2019 AT 11:06 AM
Tiny
MEDWARDS31158
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  • 5 POSTS
Is the ignition coil inside the distributor cap? I've tried to google for a picture or video of where the ignition coil is and nothing comes up. Please help by posting a picture or video showing where it is and how to get at it. Thank you
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Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 AT 11:29 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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The coil is inside the distributor so just unplug it. Here is the diagram that show the location.
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Thursday, January 10th, 2019 AT 11:37 AM
Tiny
MEDWARDS31158
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Well Ken, you solved the mystery! I unplugged the two wires as you said and the car was turning over and no blown fuse! Awesome! I sure took apart a lot of stuff to figure it out! But am totally grateful for your help and walking me through this nightmare. Now, does that mean I need a new Ignition coil?
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Thursday, January 10th, 2019 AT 12:49 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
I would get a rebuilt distributor. Here is one from Amazon for $69.00:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074HVQCSZ/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=2carprcom-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B074HVQCSZ&linkId=43f03b454a6ff01e37ea65197bdbbd55

Let me know what happens. :)
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Friday, January 11th, 2019 AT 10:19 AM
Tiny
MEDWARDS31158
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Ken,
Thank you, Thank you and Thank you!
Now I know why you are a Master Tech!
All other on-line repair sites want to charge me for their advice.
2CarPros did not and there isn't enough accolades I can give for the ease for your service, I told my neighborhood mechanic friend who also has been helping about the ignition coil problem and when I unhooked the wires connections as you stated Ken, the car turned over and there was no blown fuse! By the time I read your last comment this afternoon, my friend had already picked up a complete ignition coil and cap for $40.00 and he came over and took out the old one replaced with other and had me jump inside start it and adjusted it and my car is purring like a kitten.
So in closing Ken, you are a Rockstar master tech! I am forever grateful for your expert advice and knowledge of vehicles and stepping non mechanic people like me through the process.
2CarPros. Thank you! For your site and Ken. I have 4,000 Facebook followers and they will hear about all of you at 2CarPros!
Thank you, Michael Edwards Boise, Idaho
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Friday, January 11th, 2019 AT 9:40 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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You are more than welcome :) Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Saturday, January 12th, 2019 AT 11:28 AM

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