Problems with my QX4 starting

Sassan · #1 (**permalink**) 11-16-2008, 11:33 PM

QX4 = same as the Pathfinder......

I bought a new battery in March 07.

Here we are now, Nov 08, and the car has been having a hard time starting sometimes, and sometimes it fires right up. I was thinking, maybe the starter, maybe the battery. My wife went to use the car a couple of weeks ago and didn't realize it was on and tried to start it, so thats why I am thinking the starter may have been damaged.

Took the battery to Advanced and they checked it, and the battery tested bad, so I got a new one under warranty. That in itself, is a bit concerning because why did the battery go bad after just a 18 months after being installed....hoping it is because of manufacturer defect.

Put in the new battery, and the car would not start for nothing. FINALLY got it started, drove for a few minutes, came home and parked it, then tried starting it 10 times in a row, and each time, no issue.

Starter bad?

I still have a check engine light on, but nobody knows what the code means, not even the Infiniti dealers. I think its an O2 sensor because its related to emissions, and it comes and goes.

Thoughts please.

porschebk85 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-16-2008, 11:55 PM

Are you sure the alternator is working correctly and charging the battery? A lot of people grind the gears in the starter, doing it just once shouldn't have damaged that much.

Sassan · #3 (**permalink**) 11-17-2008, 01:23 AM

I guess the alternator is working....not 100% sure though.

porschebk85 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-17-2008, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sassan

I guess the alternator is working....not 100% sure though.

Well alot of shops including auto zone will check you alternator for free, I might have that done before you spend money on something else. Its always better to cancel out anything else it could possible be. But its up to you.

Sassan · #5 (**permalink**) 11-18-2008, 12:40 AM

I don't think its the alternator.....

You don't have to tell me about alternators....I am the alternator killer. Ask around.

porschebk85 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-18-2008, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sassan

I don't think its the alternator.....

You don't have to tell me about alternators....I am the alternator killer. Ask around.

Well I figured you being a mod on supernissans and your post count here, but I just submitted it for advice.

Sassan · #7 (**permalink**) 11-19-2008, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porschebk85

Well I figured you being a mod on supernissans and your post count here, but I just submitted it for advice.

Er, not the mod, just the Admin.

porschebk85 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-19-2008, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sassan

Er, not the mod, just the Admin.

Ah... that is probably why I didn't get the mod position I tried to get. lol

porschebk85 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-23-2008, 05:39 PM

Did you ever find out what caused the no-start condition problem??

Sassan · #10 (**permalink**) 11-23-2008, 08:08 PM

Last week, took the battery in, and they gave me a new one.

Last night, same thing again, car wouldn't start. I tried it a few times, and got it fired up.

Today, it will not start AT ALL. My logic is this.....battery, alternator, starter....so I checked the connections on the battery and all the fuses, everything is fine. Everything powers up too, and I know it takes more to start a car, but still, just checked that. Since that didn't work, tried to jump the car....figured if it is the battery, jumping it would get it started at least. That didn't work.

The only thing I have not checked yet is the starter, cuz I can't find it.

Is my thinking correct?

porschebk85 · #11 (**permalink**) 11-23-2008, 08:51 PM

Yeah... You've canceled everything else out, I guess the starter is worth checking. Does the battery get drained, is that why it keeps on getting replaced?
Whats draining the battery?

Sassan · #12 (**permalink**) 11-24-2008, 02:11 AM

First battery was the original....not sure why the second drained.

SHAWN · #13 (**permalink**) 11-25-2008, 03:59 PM

depending on the year , these have a common issue with the starter relay ... some have a large blue relay on the right fender well ... they tend to go bad ... and yea, the starter could be an issue , I have seen them go bad .... or the ignition switch or the Inhibitor switch .... List goes on and on ...

You would have to check the signal into the starter to see if its getting a good 12v signal while cranking ...if it is then its probably a bad starter ..if its not ... then you have to find out why ...

porschebk85 · #14 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 03:38 PM

So any new news on this Sassan?

Sassan · #15 (**permalink**) 12-21-2008, 05:06 AM

Everything worked fine until today. Won't start again. Gonna try to get it back to the dealer and bitch at them. I am gonna mention the starter relay to them and see what they say....