Start Problem: Please Help

[Charlie27]

Hi.

i have a micra k 12 2003 (automatic)

the engine does not start.

the dashboard illuminates when i turn the key .. lights / hazards / horn / cd player are ok. but when i turn to start the engine nothing happens... battery is ok too . i had it checked by an electrician. he also checked the fuses etc. oh and by the way the car is on 'P' Parking gear but the 'P' does not light up in the dashboard.

the electrician tried to start the engine through other means than the start key. i don't know what he did under the hood but ignition was there and the engine started w/o any problem.

but it won't start with the key from inside the car..

secondly when i turn the ignition key .. when the dashboard illuminates there is a sound .. a little sound which seems to come from under the hood .. i don't know how to describe that sound .. don't know if its a warning sign i don't know.. the sound goes off when i turn the key to turn everything off.

i don't know if it has sthing to do with the central locking of the car .. cuz the central locking works fine from the key and the door panel. but before i encounter this problem, the central locking from the door panel wasn't working properly. did i disable something while playing with this switch button? i don't know.

please help and advise. thank you.

 

[dashimoto]

last time something similar happen to me i set off the immobilizer.
disconnect battery then reconnect solved the problem for me.
Good luck.

 

[Charlie27]

last time something similar happen to me i set off the immobilizer.
disconnect battery then reconnect solved the problem for me.
Good luck.

thanks very much for your reply.

i don't know if there is an immobiliser in my car. if ever there is how do i set it off? does the dashboard indicates the status of the immobiliser? thanks if yes please tell me which icon it is. thanks

disconnecting and reconnect the battery is ok i can do that.

thanks a lot again

 

[Guy]

If it doesn't start in 'P' but the 'P' isn't lit, couldn't it be the sensor in the shift lever that detects the 'P' position of the lever?

 

[frank]

if the sparkie was able to start the car from hotwiring the starter motor under the bonnet, then maybe its the inhibitor switch on the gearchange ?
edit, what guy said lol

 

[Guy]

Oi, I just suggested that .

 

[Charlie27]

If it doesn't start in 'P' but the 'P' isn't lit, couldn't it be the sensor in the shift lever that detects the 'P' position of the lever?

may be its the sensor .. will the sensor forbid the engine to start? .. i don't know .. hmm well in neutral neither it doesn't lit 'N' and does not start.

if the sparkie was able to start the car from hotwiring the starter motor under the bonnet, then maybe its the inhibitor switch on the gearchange ?
edit, what guy said lol

yeup. what kind of specialist will i require to change this sensor/switch? .. can any garage do that or must i go to the local nissan car dealership? thanks

 

[frank]

guy has the k12 manual on his site iirc, it may show the inhibitor switch on the wiring diags ?

 

[Guy]

Ta daaa D ) !

This could be what you're looking for. You need to remove the plastic cowling around he shift lever and see if anything looks unplugged.

 

[dashimoto]

sorry dont know / cant remember any specific light for the immobilizer.
but the aa man tried everything, checked the started bu putting a pair of pliers somewhere to turn just the starter over n starter worked and he tried few other things.
then rang nissan n they just told me to disconnect batt n it worked lol

 

[Charlie27]

Ta daaa D ) !

This could be what you're looking for. You need to remove the plastic cowling around he shift lever and see if anything looks unplugged.

wow thx very much .. ill show it to the aa guy n hopw he can sort it out .. thanks very much

sorry dont know / cant remember any specific light for the immobilizer.
but the aa man tried everything, checked the started bu putting a pair of pliers somewhere to turn just the starter over n starter worked and he tried few other things.
then rang nissan n they just told me to disconnect batt n it worked lol

il give it a try ..will disco the battery.. connect it again n try to start it tonite when i get back home .. thanks for ur support ..

ill keep u posted what happens.. thanks u very much

 

[Guy]

Hope it gets sorted .

 

[northerner]

Maybe the fuses that are corroded on the battery positive terminal. Mine had the same symptoms and the AA by passed them with a short length of wire to get the wifey home. The part is about £50

 

[Charlie27]

well nothing is unplugged. everything seems to be ok..

rang nissan today and they told me to drop the car at their garage. they said they will check the battery and recharge it. then they will perform several tests to have a diagnostic .. then they will know whats wrong ..

and above all that i had MOT test at the end of this month.. great ..

cross fingers .. nothing serious is damaged. thanks loads for your support.

 

[dashimoto]

let us know the outcome.
Be good fyi info
Good luck

 

[Charlie27]

nissan said that the IPDM needs to be changed... argggh

any opinion on that? thanks

nissan told me that they put another IPDM and the car started normally.

they also told me battery has only a 10% lifetime and needs to be changed.

i know i was going to get ripped off. its life lol

 

[sarah_d]

Hi Charlie, i've had the exact same problem and i have the exact same car! mine doesn't start intermittantly

Nissan said - new ignition barrel
auto locksmith said - new ignition switch
finally, took it to an auto electrician and i've found the problem is to do with the gear selector lever. When its in park, it doesn't always register its in park and so won't start. I have to wiggle the gear lever about and sometimes take it out of park, down the reverse/neutral and push it back into park again and then it starts. Like what Guy said, the auto electrician said something to me about the inhibitor switch!

 

[Charlie27]

Hi Charlie, i've had the exact same problem and i have the exact same car! mine doesn't start intermittantly

Nissan said - new ignition barrel
auto locksmith said - new ignition switch
finally, took it to an auto electrician and i've found the problem is to do with the gear selector lever. When its in park, it doesn't always register its in park and so won't start. I have to wiggle the gear lever about and sometimes take it out of park, down the reverse/neutral and push it back into park again and then it starts. Like what Guy said, the auto electrician said something to me about the inhibitor switch!

Hi Sarah . thanks for ur reply

argghh unfortunately the AA guy couldn't find any problem. he removed the plastic cowling near the shift lever and said that everything was ok. nothing was unplugged and the wires were fine .. oh i did tried it once .. i kept changing the gear position but nothing happened.

well the IPDM gonna cost a lot thats for sure .. i will have the electrical test report tomorrow and will have a deep look at it.

Thanks loads

 

[Charlie27]

IPDM changed . the car starts when turning the key.

i still find it very surprising that there was a fault on such a device.. for christ sake its a japanese yet there is a big Renault engraved on the IPDM .. french electronics? .. no comments!!

well i must say that the ignition sound is quite different .. i don't know if im being paranoia .. but it does sound different.

well a'way my service kit is almost ready . im gonna change all four spark plugs / air filter and oil filter . may they ripped those spare parts off and put old ones i don't know.

my accelerator pedal is much more smooth tho' when accelerating ..

they also changed the battery ..

a'way thanks guys next time if ever sthing goes wrong, im gonna trouble shoot step by step what i've learnt here

 

[Guy]

We have a saying on here Charlie. Whenever something goes wrong on a K12 - "It must have been Renault's fault!" True .

 

[Charlie27]

big LOL i hope i don't use that quote too often btw Guy your blog is absolutely top notch like like like cheers