ign. sw. faulty/

[micktheshed]

I apologise in advance for asking the same questions that must have been asked before (& I have searched!), but......

My 2004 3L terrano has recently started acting like it has a flat battery (it definitely hasn't!) in that it shows no dash lights & refuses to even turn-over. At the same time I can hear what appears to be a relay 'chattering'.
After several turns & jiggles of the key (I'll try anything when I'm desperate LOL), all is well & it starts with all lights as they should be. It then starts reliably, as normal, even after several hours.
I suspect the ign. switch but have nothing but the above to go on. However I'm all for changing it whilst I've got the time during the no-camping season.

My questions, therefor, are this:
1, I am right in assuming it's most likely the ign. switch?
2, Is it just a case of taking it off & fitting a new one or is some re-programming required?
£, Is it best to get it direct from Nissan or are the ones on ebay (at half the price! eg: item 111992651117) just as good?
4, I gather there is a down-load available but how do I access it? (Not very computer savvy).

Thanks in advance.

 

[jims-terrano]

Sounds like it could be the switch, I've heard people on here say try turning the key slowly when you jave the problem rearing its head.

I changed one several years ago and from what I remember it wasn't too difficult. The screw that holds it to the bottom of the ignition barrel is tricky.

Personally I would try nissan for a price too, it may surprise you.

 

[solarman216]

Yes the switch does give problem after 18 odd years, I have stripped one and rebuilt it but there was a small amount of wear on the bakerlight that I could see not holding the contact in the correct place so replaced the switch, one plug and one small scre but tricky to get to, Rick

 

[panelbeater]

my blue t2 was brought from a trader who said its the ring gear on flywheel got teeth missing.it already had a new starter that did not solve problem,anyway i looked it over did a few tests and decided it was not ring gear, got it going test drove it and bought it then slapped wvo in and drove it 100mls to where my caravan was.
i had same symptoms as you and got fed up will it start or wont it so nearest dealer was 20mls away so phoned them up and explained fault and ordered me one up for next day.about 28squid i think.
its the little contact box at the end of the ignition switch where the end of the key fits in,it is not the barrel or key,easy to do but 1 little screw that holds it in place is a pig to get to as the head is facing forward so need to work with philips tip facing rear of truck.
i fitted mine in the camping field and walla ok,but the old switch had knackered new starter motor so after a few weeks it died so i replaced it.
when i took old unit in to ex he shook it and said he hoped i changed the switch befor putting new starter on.

 

[Banshee]

Cheaper and easier to replace the ignition switch first, they are known for playing up but I thought that was a 96>2000 kind of era issue. Not heard of a 2004 with this issue.

My money would be on the started motor, I've had one give me the exact same symptoms as you've described above, check the connections on the starter but chances are it will be the internals that are duff