Well, the most reliable car I've owned has now broken down on me! Not sure I'll be at Coventry if I can't get this sorted.

 

Symptoms:

 

Engine won't crank - won't even try.

All the dash lights come one.

Fuel pump primes.

Relays click.

 

Nothing! I am wondering whether my immobiliser has shat its pants. It would normally disable the starter and the fuel pump. Fuel pump pump is clearly audible.

 

I have no idea on the wiring of the immobiliser or indeed where it's actually fitted as it was fitted 12 years ago.

 

Answers on a postcard please.

So we are saying hot start problem?

 

Possibly, however, it re-started when it was hot just now, but the driver's side wing area would have been cool as it's had airflow around it cooling the area where the starter relay is sited. When it was parked at my folks', the sun was beating down on that part of the car where the relay is. I had this issue on Vauxhalls of old, except it was for the fuel pump relay - relays do the same things when they start to go wrong.

This is a turn out for the books...!!

 

Glad you've got it (at least temporarily) sorted and hope you can find the underlying cause quickly, mate :thumbup1:

 

Indeed, however I'd still say it's done remarkably well for the last decade! Been an awesome car and if the relay is the only thing to go wrong in the last 10 years, I'm a lucky *******! :)

Possibly, however, it re-started when it was hot just now, but the driver's side wing area would have been cool as it's had airflow around it cooling the area where the starter relay is sited. When it was parked at my folks', the sun was beating down on that part of the car where the relay is. I had this issue on Vauxhalls of old, except it was for the fuel pump relay - relays do the same things when they start to go wrong.

 

Odd. I wouldn't of thought the sun would do it but hey. New relay is cheap if not free. Remember when mine wouldn't start at Beaulieu, that turned out to be the ECU temp sensor connection.

Odd. I wouldn't of thought the sun would do it but hey. New relay is cheap if not free. Remember when mine wouldn't start at Beaulieu, that turned out to be the ECU temp sensor connection.

 

Yeah, but yours cranked.

 

It was pretty hot earlier and any form of engine heat accompanied with ambient heat is likely to screw up an already failing relay (I'd have thought anyway - I can't think of what else it would be unless it was a starter solenoid, but I didn't hear the relay click to begin with).

True, I'd forgotten that. I may have a relay kicking about. The relays used in loads of nissans.

True, I'd forgotten that. I may have a relay kicking about. The relays used in loads of nissans.

 

Thanks dude. Might try and get a brand new one from Nissan tomorrow or Saturday.

although I noticed a momentary pause (almost not noticeable) before the starter engaged

 

This as struck a cord, sometimes many years ago i'd sit there with the key turned for a lot longer than momentary and then it'd just crank.

 

It wasn't the relay, it was a poor connection at the starter motor :thumbdown:.

Is your car a manual conversion si?

Is your car a manual conversion si?

 

No, it's a factory manual.

Ah ok, was going to suggest finding what method had been used to adapt the wiring for a manual conversion.

As sometimes it's something someone has done in the past that causes these issues, people can be quick to judge a cars reliability but often it's poorly executed repairs or mods that cause the problems. Hopefully you trace the real fault as these intermittent electrical issues can be a real pita to find :thumbup1:

Given my extensive experience in these matters, had you re-fitted that rusty steering wheel?...almost certainly the problem, Lol!

 

Glad your up and running again!

.....and it's happened again. Fitted a new battery, last week and it has started a number of times to get in and out of the garage to work on it (nearly finished), however today, it failed to start after moving it out of the garage to work on and has remained in that state. I can hear the fuel pump and the starter relay prime when I turn the key to ignition and then to start. I left it all day in the hope that that whatever it did last time (intermittent starter), it might do it again, but no. A neighbour and I managed to jump start it so I could get it into the garage, it runs fine.

 

I am assuming (not sure I should) that it's either the starter motor itself has completely died or it has an earthing fault, a common thing for starters not working. The car has been sat for long periods whilst it's been worked out.

 

If anyone else has had a similar problem, please let me know.

Starter motor, from the sounds of it. If you can get it off, get it tested and repaired at a good auto electrician.

From what you describe it sounds like the starter isn't engaging as Bigh said. Get a brand new one and harness from battery to starter Si...... You know you want a nice new OE one...... lol

 

Maybe veilside do a starter?..... :whistling:

New starter motor it is then!

Or recondition your present one.

Narrr, I'll just get a brand new one. :)

....and as if by magic, it's started again! WTF!

....and as if by magic, it's started again! WTF!

 

The starter could be sticking (needs hit with a hammer) or the batter was low. Was your battery on an overnight charge?

Battery is brand new. It started as if there was never an issue.

Maybe it heard me say Veilside............ lol

Could well be a temperamental piggy-back solenoid.

As others have said, time for a new unit.

Many years ago mine played up, i'd sit there with nothing happening when i turned the key, keeping the key turned after a few seconds it would then crank lively and start, I cannot just remember, it was either a loose wire on the starter motor or perhaps something was loose inside.

 

EDIT: I might add/edit that it didn't do this time delay cranking all the time, sometimes i turn the key and get immediate start.

 

I ditched that particular starter for a replacement and never had an issue after.

 

If it was a weak or dying battery you'd at least get that clicking we all know only too well.

Edited June 18, 20178 yr by phutumsch

Ignition switch could be faulty Simon...need another person to turn the key and you get at the relay side with a multimeter looking for a live signal if it happens again.

Ignition switch could be faulty Simon...need another person to turn the key and you get at the relay side with a multimeter looking for a live signal if it happens again.

 

I can still hear the relay click when the starter isn't working. Not sure whether the switch would do anything else also?

 

I've gone ahead and ordered a brand new genuine starter motor and battery harness. Fingers crossed!