Car Won't Start - Help!
 

My car has only bee doing this for a month now, but it's bothering me and I'm not sure what to do. My car is out of warranty (2004 with 44000 miles on it), so taking it to the dealer *might* be costly. I've had the car since 2004. My 350Z has a manual transmission and we all know to start the car, you have to hold the clutch in.

The problem is this, on occasion, the car will not start. I have the clutch pressed all the way down, I insert my key and all the electronics turn on but the engine will not turn over. I have to keep trying several times before the car will start.

Does anyone know what's wrong? I checked my Voltage Gauge and it's reading fine.

It should be the starter switch under the clutch. I've heard you spray a little WD40 on the switch to loosen it up and it should be ok. To get it replaced would cost about $100.

You can reach under there and push the button with your hand while turning the key (neutral of course) and confirm...

Hmm, I went out to my car to look at it and I didn't see a "button". I did see a rod going into a cylinder amongst other things. How big is the button?

Similar thing happend on my old 300ZX. There was a plastic-part attached to the clutch-pedal arm that depressed a switch. The plastic-part broke, so the switch wasn't depressed with I pushed the clutch. But it wasn't an off/on thing, just off. I started it by reaching down and depressing switch by hand. I had plastic part replaced. Note: the switch was about the diameter of a pencil (smaller) and about half-inch long.

If you feel your way up the clutch arm itself, you will find a small flat plate attached. That's the contact point for the starter switch which is lined up with it. Its kind of a reach but you'll find it...

Thanks guys. I was blind as a bat. I didn't notice it was a little switch.

I depressed it and my car started fine. I pressed the clutch down to make sure it was pressing the switch.

I'll have to tinker with it to do more testing.

By the way, how long do car batteries last?

I haven't replaced the original battery in my 03 yet...

6 years is stretching it. 4 years is a safe replacement timetable.
but most go 6

A hot summer like we have had in Nashville can play havoc with a battery. I assume you guys in KY have had similar temps.

That being said your symptoms don't sound like a bad battery.

Basically it acts just like if you were to turn the key without the clutch pressed down. Everything powers on but the engine doesn't crank.

I double-checked the clutch and it is fully depressing the starter switch.

So I don't know what the deal is. I did check my battery terminals about 30 mins ago and it had a slight amount of corrosion, so I cleaned that off. I haven't been able to test it again since then though.

I called the dealership and they were going to charge me $100 to inspect it. I'm going to Autozone instead during lunch to have them test everything.

same thing happened to my 03 about three seperate times last year. i had to depress the clutch pedal a couple of times re-engaging the switch to start the engine. All i did was to spray WD-40 directly at that pressure switch and let soak in. The pressure switch was sticky. Save your 100 bucks. Knock on wood though.:) i've yet to experience another faulty start since then.

mario23 mentioned that. How does WD-40 fix the problem? I mean, if the switch is depressing fully, it shouldn't matter right?

somehow the switch is not making any contact w/o WD40.....only Nissan knows the answer, they made a cheap switch sensor. i've posted the WD40 fix quite a few times this year. You are not the first one encountering this problem. i read it somewhere that WD40 and duck tape are all your gunna need in your tool box.:icon38:

I agree...

Try a new battery first. Baterries on the 03s have been dying out in the last year or so especially in the hot regions...you are about due for a new battery anyway...it's a cheap and easy fix.

I agree with the WD-40, this same kind of thing happened on my ZR, the brake lights stopped working and the top would not open. I sprayed some WD-40 on the brake switch and pushed it in a few times. After that it was good to go.

^

this is a familar post to see
 

I had this happen to me too:

I have a '03 enth 6 spd, and it first happened when my car was @ 35k miles.

1st thing: Are you still using the factory alarm (keyless entry) system?

if yes....

2nd: When you insert your key, does the alarm "light" constantly stay on? (above the dash board, where the front windshield is at)

if yes...

3rd: To fix, I remove the key, arm my car, rearm it, and keep inserting the key different ways (only 2 ways, double sided key) until I don't see the red light on.

Reason: This happens to me very randomly, and it's embarassing too... when you hear your car cranking but no engine start. I took it to the deal 2 times, and they could not replicate the problem, but they did notice my key was throwing off a different signal (your keys should have a small micro chip in the plastic) and they gave me a new key (90$, was not covered under warrenty) BUT, it happened again after 2wks of having the new key... However, that was when I realized it only happened when I would insert the key, and the Alarm red light would be turned on. And I am "assuming" it's not starting because the antitheft system is working (car will not start unless it reads the chip in the key). So, I had to just keep reinserting the key, untill the red light didnt stay on constant.

I hope this helps, if it is the problem.

omega6

I am having the same issue now and was wondering if you were able to push start your car when you were having this issue as I do not recall if the alarm light is on; on my dash. I am at work now so not able to go check but I was able to get her running this morning by push starting her.

Just to comment... I don't think we're supposed to push-start our cars. Our manual specifically says not to in bold lettering.