Starter not working

Tiny
TYAZZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 NISSAN QUEST
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
My 1995 Nissan Quest decided not to start.
I turn the key, everything gets power except the starter.
I jumped the starter by crossing the terminals on the solinoid with a screwdriver. The starter spins, but no start.
I replaced the Ignition.
I replaced the Ignition Switch.
I replaced the Inhibiter Relay (by the battery).
I replaced the Ignition Relay (next to the fuse box under the dash).
I took out the starter and had it tested, it works.
I cleaned the battery terminals, no start.
I volt tested the battery, 12.9v.
I volt tested the small wire on the solenoid, no power even with the key turned to start.
I volt tested the plug that connects to the small wire on the solenoid, no power.
I followed that wire to what I believe is the inhibiter relay (which I already replaced)
Im stumped, Im ready to scrap it even though it ran great before this problem. Please Help!
Monday, August 8th, 2011 AT 2:38 AM

41 Replies

Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Problem in Neutral safety switch on Trans. Try moving shifter to Neutral see if it will start. switch located on top trans axle where shift cable attaches

this guide will help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair
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Monday, August 8th, 2011 AT 1:14 PM
Tiny
TYAZZ
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I've tried that. I've also let it drift. I tried to start it in every position. There's also a click that comes from all four relays next to the fuse box when I try to start it.
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Monday, August 8th, 2011 AT 1:58 PM
Tiny
TYAZZ
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That's not what's wrong. What else do you got? Its a stumper, right. I'm thinking its a bad wire somewhere, but don't know how to go about finding it efficeintly.
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Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 AT 12:34 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
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It is inhibtor switch see previous post prevents starting when in gear. It is faulty
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Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 AT 1:54 PM
Tiny
TYAZZ
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  • 56 POSTS
Does it have another name. I can't find an inhibitor switch anywhere. Is it the same thing as a nuetral safety switch? Or do you know where I can find one?
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Thursday, August 11th, 2011 AT 12:39 AM
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
Check for start signal coming out of the ing. Switch to the seloniod
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Thursday, August 11th, 2011 AT 1:45 AM
Tiny
TYAZZ
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  • 56 POSTS
How?
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Thursday, August 11th, 2011 AT 1:35 PM
Tiny
CADIEMAN
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Use a test light. Your looking for a wire that gets power when your holding the key in start position and when you release the key the light will go out. It has power only in start possition. That wire goes to the seloniod. When you hold it in start possition. That wire at the seloniod has to have power when you hold it in start possition.
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Thursday, August 11th, 2011 AT 6:01 PM
Tiny
CADIEMAN
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Sorry back first check the wire at the starter seloniod if no power then u need to check the wire at the ingition switch for power with the key in start possition
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Thursday, August 11th, 2011 AT 8:11 PM
Tiny
TYAZZ
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  • 56 POSTS
I found them. The ignition is white with a red stripe. And the secondary is brown.
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Sunday, August 14th, 2011 AT 10:52 PM
Tiny
TYAZZ
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Ok. This is where Im at.
The white wire with a red stripe, and brown wire are ignition wires at the ignition switch.
The wire that clips to the small wire on the solenoid is red with a white stripe and goes to the inhibiter relay (already replaced)
I took apart that relay box. Under the inhibiter realy is the red with white, a solid red, a small green, and a small blue wire.
I followed the solid red wire to a black box mounted to the fire wall infront of the driver side. I dont know what that box is.
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Monday, August 15th, 2011 AT 12:24 AM
Tiny
CADIEMAN
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Does the red/white wire get power when the key in start position at the ing. Switch?Does it get power at seloniod on the red/white wire?Power goes from the ing. Switch through a neutral safety switch to the starter. This inhibiter may oper. Through the neutral switch. Youll need to find this neutral switch and see if the red/white wire goes through it.
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Monday, August 15th, 2011 AT 2:26 AM
Tiny
TYAZZ
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The white / red wire gets power at the ignition switch with the key turned to start.
The red / white wire at the solenoid does not get power with the key turned to start.
Ok. Tomorrow after work I'll find the nuetral safety switch and check.
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Monday, August 15th, 2011 AT 2:32 AM
Tiny
TYAZZ
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  • 56 POSTS
I can't find the nss. Where is it? On the trans under the hood? Or under the van? Or under the dash?
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Monday, August 15th, 2011 AT 11:10 PM
Tiny
CADIEMAN
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Find the shift cable then follow it to the trans it will be there.
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2011 AT 12:27 AM
Tiny
TYAZZ
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  • 56 POSTS
Ok. I found the neutral safety switch. None of the above listed wires are running to it.

I identified the white/red wire at a handful of places all over the engine before it enters plugs and harnesses and couldnt find a break in it anywhere.

Could the problem just be the neutral safety switch, considering it doesnt even start in neutral?

Scrap vehicles are $14:100lb right now, so if I cant get this figured out by the weekend its getting towed to the scrap yard. Id probably get $500 for it.

Do you think it would be worth just taking it to a mechanic and letting him deal with it, even though inspection runs out next month and it will have a real hard time passing?

Im leaning towards scrapping it.
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2011 AT 12:40 AM
Tiny
TYAZZ
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Any last resort ideas? Someon mentioned push button ignition.
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Wednesday, August 17th, 2011 AT 4:39 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
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Red/white wire goes from relay to solenoid/ wire to check at NSS is Light green/Black if it does not get hot with key in start then NSS is faulty
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Wednesday, August 17th, 2011 AT 7:20 PM
Tiny
TYAZZ
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Ok. But the green/black wires are only on the end that plugs into the harness on the nss. There are no green and black wires coming from the nss
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Thursday, August 18th, 2011 AT 12:13 AM
Tiny
TYAZZ
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Regardless, I tested the green/black and theres no power. But I disconnected the harness to test it just by touching the positive to the prongs in the plug. Does it make a difference?
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Thursday, August 18th, 2011 AT 12:31 AM

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