The Nissan Path

My Pathfinder starts just fine most of the time. About 1 time out of 10 it turns over just fine but it won't ever catch. I usually try about 8-10 times and eventually it will start. Any suggestions? Doesn't seem like it's the battery or alternator.

Sounds like a crank position sensor. I bet your check engine light is on.

^^crank or cam position sensor would be my guess, too. Any codes?

I'm having exactly the same problem with my 2009 SE 4x4 right now, but it won't start at all and wont even throw me a frickin' code!!!! Looks like I'm buying a new Crankshaft Position Sensor and replacing that to see if it fixes the problem. Hope they're not expensive....

gascan wrote:I'm having exactly the same problem with my 2009 SE 4x4 right now, but it won't start at all and wont even throw me a frickin' code!!!! Looks like I'm buying a new Crankshaft Position Sensor and replacing that to see if it fixes the problem. Hope they're not expensive....

Crank position sensors aren't too bad; they run around $26-30. Cam position sensors are a lot more expensive.

smj999smj wrote:

gascan wrote:I'm having exactly the same problem with my 2009 SE 4x4 right now, but it won't start at all and wont even throw me a frickin' code!!!! Looks like I'm buying a new Crankshaft Position Sensor and replacing that to see if it fixes the problem. Hope they're not expensive....

Crank position sensors aren't too bad; they run around $26-30. Cam position sensors are a lot more expensive.

The frustrating part is it won't throw a code for me to know for sure which part it is. I hate replacing part after part until the symptom goes away. I guess $30 is a cheap place to start...cheaper than towing it to the stealership!

Just wonder if you keep cranking and cranking, eventually you gotta get a code.

having the same issue. changed can and crank sensors with oem Nissan since I had a crank code. every so often the same no start issue shows up again. wait about 20 seconds and shell start up. very weird

Still don't overlook the battery as a possibility.
I've seen them crank the engine fine as wine, but still not start it.
Compromised battery, loose or dirty battery post clamps, sometimes the negative cable post clamp does not securely tighten on the post (the clamp will twist or rotate on the post even though the nut is tight).

As a diagnostic, service the clamps & posts, hook up an additional fully charged battery.

my 2006 has done this before; usually when the battery was getting toward the end of it's life. I charged them some and it would do it again. Replaced battery and issue went away. I think I am on my third battery since I bought it new in 2006.

dawgn86 wrote:my 2006 has done this before; usually when the battery was getting toward the end of it's life. I charged them some and it would do it again. Replaced battery and issue went away. I think I am on my third battery since I bought it new in 2006.

Yep, we have 2 2005's, three batteries each since new, exact same symptoms.
That's why I brought it up for JAHBLESSINGS.
I'm curious to know if that's what he finds to be the trouble.
Sometimes problems aren't that complex, nice when that happens!

Agree! only 3 times in 12 years my PF failed to start and all 3 were battery related.

Also, I replaced my positive battery terminal with this set two years ago. The OEM had a lot of corrosion.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A9 ... UTF8&psc=1