Need help - car won't start

[Arthway]

Car is being a pain and just won't start. It's a Nissan Terrano II TDI SE Touring 1998. The battery is roughly 2 years old.

The vehicle hadn't been run much prior to the problem - went to start her on Friday after a bit of a frost - a couple of pathetic turns and dead. Ok, so fully charged using an intelligent charger. I assumed all was OK and went to start her Saturday after a heavy frost - plenty of life in the battery (12.8v approx) - glow plug indicator light goes out after a few seconds, starter motor going but just won't fire up.

This is unusual -generally it always starts first time. Having had multiple goes at trying to start (and topping up the battery again today) - still being stubborn.... It's much milder today, after heavy overnight rain, btw.

The vehicle very recently had welding done for the MOT, and I am wondering if maybe it's an earthing issue?

I haven't tried jump starting from another vehicle yet, and not sure this will help anyway - will try tomorrow.

Any ideas welcome, please.

 

[perelaar]

Jump starting would be the first thing to do, your battery might be dead.
I had the same issue last year, plenty voltage, but no start. Ended up buying a new battery, solved the issue.

 

[jims-terrano]

Did the welder disconnect the battery, i know you should but I have forgotten and got away with it.

Is it turning over fast enough? Lazy starter motor can cause problems.

Have you tested the glow plugs? A few threads on here about that and I think theres a download too.

If you have two keys, just try the second key in case imobiliser has lost your key?

There is also a thread from a couple of days ago. Someone has disconnected their battery and the truck won't start, take a look just in case.

Have you measured the voltage across battery when stood, with heater plugs on and also cranking it?

Lastly have you got a none factory alarm system fitted?

 

[Arthway]

Jump starting would be the first thing to do, your battery might be dead.
I had the same issue last year, plenty voltage, but no start. Ended up buying a new battery, solved the issue.

I'll try jump starting tomorrow. I would have thought the battery would last longer than a couple of years - although I don't have the actual date as it was on the car when we bought it some 18months ago - but it certainly looked brand new). It's a "Platinum Xtreme Plus" which I gather is supposed to be a good one.

 

[don simon]

I've just been through the same and a jump start got her going, you could also turn the key to point 2 and wait for the glow plug to go out, then repeat a couple of time to get some heat in the glow plug and then try starting. A lot depends on the noises and what's happening when you try to start her.

 

[solarman216]

Jim covered most issues, but given how you describe it I would be looking at one or more glow plugs being bad, Rick

 

[Arthway]

Did the welder disconnect the battery, i know you should but I have forgotten and got away with it.

Is it turning over fast enough? Lazy starter motor can cause problems.

Have you tested the glow plugs? A few threads on here about that and I think theres a download too.

If you have two keys, just try the second key in case imobiliser has lost your key?

There is also a thread from a couple of days ago. Someone has disconnected their battery and the truck won't start, take a look just in case.

Have you measured the voltage across battery when stood, with heater plugs on and also cranking it?

Lastly have you got a none factory alarm system fitted?

Not sure if the battery was disconnected by the welder - I'll talk to them tomorrow and see what they have to say - it seems OK.

Lazy starter motor - well, you could be right, but until this week it has always sprung to life quite enthusiastically (unlike me!)

Have I tested the glow plugs? - no, will have a look at the threads, and see if I want to risk it...

The key I use is working the central locking and the little red light on top of the driver's side dash goes out when I insert the key, so I guess this means it is responding Ok - would the starter motor work if the imobiliser has lost my key?
I think the Mrs has a spare key, so I shall give that a try.

I will have a go at measuring the voltage across battery when stood, with heater plugs on and also cranking it - what sort of reading should I expect?

 

[Arthway]

I've just been through the same and a jump start got her going, you could also turn the key to point 2 and wait for the glow plug to go out, then repeat a couple of time to get some heat in the glow plug and then try starting. A lot depends on the noises and what's happening when you try to start her.

I accidentally left the ignition on at one point this afternoon for say 10 mins or so, but still was no joy. I'll see what tomorrow brings.

 

[Arthway]

Jim covered most issues, but given how you describe it I would be looking at one or more glow plugs being bad, Rick

You well be right. If the glow plugs are dodgy now, would you expect a jump start to work?

Also, I see the prices of the plugs varied greatly. You can get a set of 4 from EBay for £22.90 (ref:151192096995) but some are a lot dearer!??

 

[solarman216]

If with jump starting you can get the engine to spin a little faster then yes it should start, but if the starter is a little lazy and you have one or more plugs out, in this cold time it probably will not, you could try bumping it or a tow start which will work even with plugs out as you can get it spinning much faster, Rick

 

[solarman216]

Re batteries, age is no guide, how it has been treated is the key, if it has been flattened a few times and left for a while before recharging, this alone will dramatically reduce life, a battery abused in this way may only last 6 months, Rick

 

[RJL Services]

try a bit of easy start in the air intake see if it runs with a squirt then if it does then check the glow plugs:thumb2

 

[Banshee]

All good shouts here mate, try all of the above and come back, I'm going with lazy battery and dead plugs

 

[Arthway]

Update **

- Well, I charged up the battery last night - it read 13.49v when it finished.

- Tried to start - same as before, ie turning but wouldn't fire.

- Tried with spare key - just the same.

- It then occurred to me that maybe there was an issue with the keys. I forgot to mention in my earlier posts that one of the previous owners had installed a separate switch for starting the engine. You still have to use the usual key to get the ignition on, but then press/hold this additional switch down until it starts. (I had a similar arrangement on an old Pajero that had a button installed for this). Anyway, I decided to *briefly* turn the main key right through to the start position - which I obviously don't normally do. I then tried to start as normal (using the separate switch and lo and behold she starts up immediately with great enthusiasm! Stopped the engine and started up again - no problem.

- Checked the battery again this morning and it is reading 12.99v. Started her up first time without hesitation.

So - it looks like really good news, BUT why did this happen? Is it because the battery had gone dead flat and it upset something to do with the immobiliser?? Very odd - I have had the car for some 18 months and this has never happened before - any ideas, anyone?

A special thanks to all who have thrown in suggestions to help me fix this.

 

[jims-terrano]

Is the seperate switch turning the glow plugs on?

Try and meter out from glow plug feed which can be found on the plugs above the fan belt at side of the head. Switch the switch and see if it turns them on?

 

[Arthway]

Hi

The separate switch does not stay down when you let go - ie it is sprung (it might be called a momentary switch?). So, could the switch still be switching on the glowplugs?

 

[jims-terrano]

If I was going to
Manually switch that's the sort of switch that I'd fit

 

[Banshee]

Could have done with the history of the dodgy keys in the first post :doh

Fair play for getting is solved though, I've had similar instances in the past, I always just "know" when it's an immobiliser issue now as the starter seems to rotate way faster than normal and the engine makes no attempt to start. I can just feel it, if that makes sense :nenau

 

[solarman216]

Does sound to me that this switch is for the glow plugs as well as the normal timer set up, this is the sort of set up I am thinking about for mine as sometimes even when the glow plug symbol is illuminated the plugs are not working, no click from the relay so there would seem to be a problem with the timing system, so easy way out said switch to energize the relay manually, Rick