Nissan Terrano Series II Grand Tourer

SIMONSTONE

MEMBER
1998 NISSAN TERRANO
2.7L
4 CYL
TURBO
4WD
MANUAL
15,500 MILES

1 Ignition fails to start engine on ignition key, normal starting process.
Sounds like not sufficient charge in battery, as if battery run out of power. Battery checked, green indicator bulb is green, voltages are normal, is charging when engine runs.
Attempted to start from recovery vehicles:
2 Toyota pickup, with two big batteries plus another electric generator, voltage applied across battery terminals in normal fashion with jump leads, same result as if battery has no power. Fail to start. Same recovery, towed start within a few meters pull, in second gear, engine start and runs smooth, nothing missing. Turned off engine to refuel, engine failed to start again, same symptoms as 1.
3 Recovery truck, portable charger, voltage applied across battery terminals in normal fashion with jump leads, started but with difficulty, as if only a small part of voltage (current) used. Portable charger would have started a truck. After engine running, no problems.
When try to start on normal ignition key start, after a 12 hour run (and therefore good battery charge), same failure to start as 1. When use ignition key start (normal process, at end of second glow plug indicator) battery terminals are warm to the touch, almost too hot to touch after a normal turn over sequence. Starter motor does turn over, but not fast enough to start engine. All other electrical systems working, lights, radio, etc. Head lights did not drain battery after 5 hours of use, implying normal battery recharging whilst engine running. Leads are well connected to battery terminals. It is as if there is high resistance in the circuit, presumably causing the battery terminal heating, and failing to pass enough current to the starter motor. Wire from +ve terminal to starter motor appears intact, earth return from starter motor appears intact.
Can you give me any suggestions where I might look for this loss of starter motor power please.
Is it worth removing the starter motor and examining the bushes or someting like that? Any suggestions would be gratefully received. Many thanks. Simon Stone

1 Reply

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

If you can find a mechanic that can load test it is better. In U.S. Autoparts can check it as well as battery. For a quick check have an assistant try to start the car and you hit the body of starter with a hammer if you can. If it starts that is a pure indication of a starter that is bad. You can also check to seeif cable leading to starter has same voltage as battery with out starting it. Then if it does put volt meter on battery and try to start the car. If voltage drops below 9 volts it's one of two things the starter is bad or a poor condition battery which kinda sounds in your case like the starter. Auto parts here can test it but not sure if it's available what country you are in as we don't have that model Nissan here in U.S.