Shit. Help?

"WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe" (wesbarton89)
03/28/2015 at 17:08 • Filed to: None

My Infiniti is having trouble starting. Now, the battery is brand new. It's not the alternator, because all the power features work, and it stays running once i get it started. I can get it started if i either have the headlamps on, or turn it over two or three times in rapid succession. What am i looking at here, starter or ignition switch/cylinder or relay? It's still running fine, i did over 100 miles of in town driving today without a problem, besides this. No clue what it could be. Halp plz/

DISCUSSION (13)

bob and john > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
03/28/2015 at 17:11

hmm. My vote would be wiring or the starter

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
03/28/2015 at 17:14

Work your way from least expensive thing to most expensive thing. My guess is that it is the relay, although I may be wrong.

DrScientist > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
03/28/2015 at 17:15

the headlights must be on in order for it to start?

turning it over 2-3 times before getting it to start sounds like its not getting enough fuel.

i have a feeling there's an infiniti forum somewhere where people know the details better that here.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > DrScientist
03/28/2015 at 17:23

The Nissan/Infiniti forums are all but dead it seems like, at least the ones I checked. I don't think it's a fuel issue, because it doesn't try to crank. I turn the key to the on position, first time, no resistance, no crank, no start. Turn it back to off. Repeat. Then it starts like nothing. And it starts easier with the headlights on, but I've gotten it started without them on. I'm wondering if the cold snap we got today has anything to do with this as well, but I'm not sure.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
03/28/2015 at 17:29

Sounds like what the Vue would do from time to time. Probably either the ignition itself or the starter. I'd check for loose connections on wires first though.

jvirgs drives a Subaru > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
03/28/2015 at 17:51

What kind of infiniti do you have?

Squid > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
03/28/2015 at 18:01

You need to get a wiring diagram and trace the ignition circuit. The relay could be fucked,cheap fix, or your ignition cylinder could have shit the bed. But methinks that the headlights are just a mere happenstance of your problem.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > jvirgs drives a Subaru
03/28/2015 at 18:10

2000 I30, twin to thethe fifth gen maxima.

jvirgs drives a Subaru > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
03/28/2015 at 18:52

Could it possibly be an issue with the crank-angle sensor? I know it could be a stretch but I had an issue with my '04 Sentra (2.5L variant) having trouble starting but once it started there were no issues. My coworker who had an '05 G35 had a similar issue with that sensor as well. Could be a common problem with Nissan/Infiniti

DrScientist > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
03/28/2015 at 20:08

it does sound like it is an electrical issue, likely the ignition switch or the starter relay. but my guess is the ignition switch.

is it difficult to get at the ignition switch?

sounds like you might be hotwiring your car tomorrow. :)

but you should definitely get a wiring diagram as someone else suggested. then design a plan of attack. be methodical whenever electrical faults are in play. its easy to miss something and then start tearing your hair out trying to figure it all out. do you have a multimeter?

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > DrScientist
03/28/2015 at 20:11

I'm going to my stepdads house tomorrow, and he has a ton of tools. I'll get a diagram and check it all out.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > jvirgs drives a Subaru
03/28/2015 at 22:17

I'm not sure. It's possible. Gonna look it over tomorrow.

pip bip - choose Corrour > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
03/29/2015 at 03:54

relay or starter motor?