No crank no start issue?

ERIC MCCLELLAND

MEMBER
1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER
3.0L
V6
4WD
MANUAL
138,000 MILES

For about a year the truck would crank sometimes and sometimes it wouldn't. You could try several times and it may crank or may not but if I jumped it off it would start right up. Now it won't crank unless you pull it off. So far, I have checked the obvious like battery voltage, voltage to the starter, relays. The one mounted to the fire wall on the passenger side looks a little burnt. The relay and the plug but it does have power. Wanted to check the 3 relays on top of the fuse panel in the cab but I can't find anywhere to tell me what they control.

5 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,526 POSTS

Sure, to me it sounds like the starter motor is going bad which is common but to be sure, this guide will show you how to test the trigger wire for power when the engine is not cranking over:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Here is how to change the starter out and the starter wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works and which wires to test.

Here is a generic guide to help you step by step with instructions in the diagrams below to show you how on your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on. Also, I would repair the burnt like connection and replace the relay.

Images (Click to make bigger)