Hello everyone,,
I have a '95 SE Pathfinder with over 216k miles and I'm at the point where I want to dive even deeper into fixing my beauty on my own. So lately I have had issues starting her. Usually it seems to take a few times for the starter to engage and on a past weekend trip, the starter wouldn't turn over at all. The battery was checked and it wasn't the problem. So my gut is telling me that it is the starter and that I best casino softwareshould replace it. However, could this be a starter relay issue or starter solenoid issue? I got the engine to start on the first try after tapping the end of the starter with a socket wrench. So is my gut right or could there be a less expensive issue at hand?

Responses are humbly requested.

I've been through 2 starter replacements on mine. Both times it started with an intermittent start.

The other issue I've run into is an intermittent issue with the contacts in the ignition switch, but I've never ended up with the relay being the issue.

The starter tends to get oil dripping onto it if your oil filter doesn't seal well or when the oil gets changed. Oil inside of an electric motor isn't a good thing so it tends to cause early failure. Best thing you can do to prolong the life once you get a new one is to cover it up when you are changing the oil filter and make sure you don't have any oil leaks on that side.

I will tell you that changing that thing out is an adventure in frustration. If you don't have a rack to put the truck on, I would suggest paying someone to change it for you and save yourself the cursing. (unless you have other things you are tearing into at the same time)

My 93 Pathfinder Manual 5 Speed has intermittent starting issues it's been going on for several months now initially I thought it was the Starter but I decided to chase down other issues first.
I have replaced the Start Relay the Ignition Control Switch and now the Distributor Coil.
It seems to start OK but every now and then it won't fire at all or crank I checked the battery cables actually the Battery is only a year old
There is no engine light though during the Start mode all indicators do come on as they are suppose to.
I'm totally at lost being an old school back yard mechanic

LeonG wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 07, 2023 9:59 am

My 93 Pathfinder Manual 5 Speed has intermittent starting issues it's been going on for several months now initially I thought it was the Starter but I decided to chase down other issues first.
I have replaced the Start Relay the Ignition Control Switch and now the Distributor Coil.
It seems to start OK but every now and then it won't fire at all or crank I checked the battery cables actually the Battery is only a year old
There is no engine light though during the Start mode all indicators do come on as they are suppose to.
I'm totally at lost being an old school back yard mechanic

Could be worn out carbon brushes on the starter motor. The next time it won't fire up or crank at all, give the starter a few firm taps with a hammer. If it is the brushes, tapping on the starter motor could shake the brushes and put them back in contact with the commutator, allowing you to start it up. If that works, it is only temporary and the starter should be replaced before it completely fails to start your ride.

LeonG wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 07, 2023 9:59 am

My 93 Pathfinder Manual 5 Speed has intermittent starting issues it's been going on for several months now initially I thought it was the Starter but I decided to chase down other issues first.

Once upon a time, I had a '91 XE and a good repair manual that spelled out very well how to test the starter motor. All gone now. I miss those automatic locking free-running hubs on the WD21 models but the manual locking hubs I put on my current '02 R50 model suits me well enough.

There was nothing in the starting and charging system section of the factory service manual for the '93 that was helpful, except a wiring diagram. https://www.nicoclub.com/service-manual ... wiring.pdf

I did find a decent starter test procedure for your ride that could help you at https://troubleshootmyvehicle.com/nissa ... er-motor-1