Intro
As a licensed auto mechanic with over twenty years of experience, I’ve seen my good share of Nissan Clippers that refuse to start. And let me tell you, I understand how irritating it can be when you’ve got places to go, you hop in, turn the key, and … drum roll please … nothing!
But don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. My name’s Robby and in this article, I’m going to guide you through the most common reasons why your Nissan Clipper won’t start. I’ll cover all the most common causes and you’ll understand how to identify each potential cause, as well as what to do in each case. I’ll provide practical troubleshooting pointers and repair solutions based on my two decades of practical experience, so you can get your Nissan Clipper starting and driving again as swiftly as possible.
Understanding Why a Nissan Won’t Start
When you realize to yourself “My Nissan Clipper won’t start”, this could be because of a multitude of things being wrong with your vehicle. Perhaps the engine is not cranking at all, perhaps it is turning over partially however then not starting, or possibly it’s making a clicking sound when you attempt to start the engine, however ultimately nothing happens. Each of these scenarios can indicate different problems with your car.
Common Reasons Why Your Nissan Clipper Won’t Start
There are many reasons that a Clipper won’t start up. These issues usually consist of a weak or dead vehicle battery, a faulty alternator, starter motor failures, fuel system issues, as well as electrical or wiring complications. Every one of these problems can manifest as different symptoms and require separate solutions to troubleshoot and fix, so we can get your car back on the road ASAP.
Symptoms of Nissan Clipper That Won’t Start
Having the ability to identify and diagnose these symptoms, will help you in finding the root cause of the issue. For example, when you turn the key in the ignition, and you hear a clicking noise but your Nissan still can’t start, it is often an indication that there is a problem with the fuel or ignition system of your vehicle.
Analysis of The Reasons Why Your Nissan Clipper Won’t Start
The initial step to discovering a practical solution to the problem is figuring out the root cause of that issue, so let’s explore the most common reasons your Clipper won’t start.
Nissan Clipper Battery Issues
In the vast majority of cases, the most common reason why your Nissan Clipper fails to start is, in many cases due to a bad battery, it’s either dead or weak, and you need to charge up the battery or replace it. The Van’s battery stores the power needed to start the engine, and power all the electrical parts in your Nissan Clipper. Symptoms of a weak or dead battery issue in a Clipper, are things like the vehicle being slow to crank the engine, dim or weak headlights, or a lit-up battery warning light on the dash. A portable jump starter allows you to jump start your Van’s if the battery is dead without needing another vehicle. And a battery charger can help recharge a dead battery and diagnose battery issues.
Nissan Clipper Alternator Problems
The alternator is tasked with charging the battery from the engine while the vehicle is running. A broken alternator can easily stop your Nissan Clipper from starting as it wont have the ability to charge up the battery, from the engine, so it will drain fairly quickly till it’s completely drained and you don’t realize it until you get in your Clipper and it won’t start. Symptoms that the alternator is faulty include a lit-up battery or alternator caution light on the dash, dim headlights when the engine is idling, and also a whining or grinding noise from the engine while it’s running.
Nissan Clipper Starter Motor Failures
When you start your Nissan Clipper, the starter motor is responsible for turning the engine over (cranking it). If the starter motor is defective in some way then the engine may not crank, and your Clipper can’t start. You can tell if your starter motor has an issue or not often by listening for a clicking noise when you turn the key in the ignition or a grinding sound throughout the start-up, or your Van starts up but only intermittently, then the starter motor may very well be the problem.
Nissan Clipper Fuel System Complications
We’re not talking about when you merely run out of gas here, but your Van’s fuel system itself having problems. Your Nissan Clipper uses a combustion engine, and for that reason to start and run, it needs a mix of enough fuel and air. If your Clipper issues are part of a faulty fuel system, this could be a clogged fuel filter or a faulty fuel pump relay, which could suggest the engine may not be getting the fuel it needs to get the vehicle started. Over time fuel injectors can also get clogged, so using a fuel injector cleaner like Red Line can help clean them and improve starting.
Nissan Clipper Electrical System or Wiring Problems
Today’s modern Nissan Clippers rely greatly on electronic components, which can mean there are lots of things that can potentially fail. Even in an older car, you can still have regular problems such as blown fuses, spark plug problems, a faulty ignition switch, or a damaged sensor, and more. These can be a few of the various electrical reasons why your Nissan Clipper can’t get started. Symptoms of a circuitry or electrical issue can differ vastly but can often include the engine not cranking, or your Clipper can start but only intermittently or some alert lights show on the dashboard. To correctly identify and repair these kinds of issues, you will require the skills of a knowledgeable Nissan mechanic locally or online.
Solutions & Repair Tips
When you have found out what the cause of your Van troubles are. The next logical step is of course to try and fix it. Here are some tips for the common issues we’ve covered previously.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Battery Issues in a Nissan Clipper
If you think it’s possibl a battery problem is the culprit as to why your Clipper has trouble starting, then the first thing you must do is inspect the battery terminals. You want them to be clean, not corroded, and firmly connected. If you happen to find that the terminals are in fact corroded you can attempt cleaning them with a mix of baking soda and water.
Once you have checked the battery terminals, you can check to see if the battery is just out of charge, or worse, it’s old and weak, or dead and needs to be replaced. For this, you can charge the battery in a few different ways:
- With the help of another vehicle and jumper cables to jump-start your Clipper’s battery.
- Use a car battery charger that you can plug into a socket to charge it up.
- Use a portable car battery charger you can take with you on the go, so you are never left stranded when on the move.
If the battery charges up and works fine, great, problem solved! However, if the battery is old or weak, you will have to replace it. Otherwise, even if you charge it up enough to start the Nissan Clipper, it will likely run out of life again in the not so distant future. You can use a multimeter or OB2 scanner as a way to test the life of the battery to see if it’s worth saving or if it needs swapped out for a new one. You can get a replacement car battery for your exact Nissan model by visiting Amazon here, and selecting “enter a new vehicle” to filter the results for your Nissan Clipper, and choose a suitable one, from a seller with great reviews.
If charging your Clipper’s battery does not resolve your issues, and problems like frequent draining and needing frequent charges persist even after replacing the battery, there is likely a more complex underlying issue causing excessive battery drain. In that case, you will need a professional mechanic to inspect and diagnose the root cause. You can also ask the advice of a mechanic online through us, or get an instant free quote on a Emergency mechanics service near me.
How to Diagnose Alternator Problems in a Nissan Clipper
Ok, so the image above I found online and is a joke, DON’T DO THIS. I’ll explain in more detail, but in short, to diagnose and fix alternator problems you will need the help of a qualified and experienced auto mechanic. If you’re thinking that the alternator is the cause of your vehicle starting troubles, you can test it. If you can get the vehicle started temporarily (you may need to jump-start the vehicle for that), but when it’s going, let the Van run, and while the engine is running, disconnect the positive terminal of the battery. It’s likely because of a fault with your vehicle’s alternator if you find your Nissan Clipper dies right away when you disconnect the positive terminal. However, be warned this test can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing, and may harm the sensitive electronic components in your vehicle, so in this case best to speak with a professional mechanic local to you or online, before ever trying this. If you think it might be the alternator, it’s best to ask a mechanic online or near you.
How to Identify and Solve Starter Motor Failures in a Nissan Clipper
If you think the starter motor is the reason for your Nissan Clipper failing to start, listen for a clicking noise when you turn the key in the ignition. In this case, the solution is to have the starter motor replaced by a professional mechanic.
How to Solve Fuel System Problems in a Nissan Clipper
If you suspect the issue to be due to a fuel system problem, try and listen for the fuel pump when you turn the key to the “on” position, before starting the vehicle. You ought to hear a humming sound for a few seconds. If you are unable to hear this sound, then it might be there is cause for concern with the fuel pump. If you notice your Nissan is tough to start, it stalls, or it has bad acceleration, it might be due to a clogged fuel filter. Both of these will likely need a reliable auto mechanic in order to properly fix. This is because may require a fuel pressure test kit and mechanic’s tool set to fully diagnose and repair fuel system problems.
How to Fix Electrical or Wiring Problems in a Nissan Clipper
If you think it’s an electrical wiring or electrical system issue, first inspect the fuses related to the ignition system, and replace any that have actually blown. If your Clipper starts after this, then it was a successful, inexpensive and easy repair! If the vehicle doesn’t start, even intermittently, it might be an issue with the ignition switch itself. If various warning lights are noticeable on your dashboard, it might be a problematic sensor. These problems can be very intricate and a reliable Nissan mechanic is likely required to diagnose and have it properly repaired.
Preventive Steps
As my dad always said “Prevention is better than cure”, so here are some preventative measures to ensure you hopefully avoid any Nissan Clipper starting difficulties again!
Routine Upkeep of Your Nissan Clipper:
Regular maintenance of your Nissan Clipper is essential to preventing future troubles. This consists of things like routine oil changes, checking the battery, cleaning the terminals, changing the fuel filter as suggested/required, and having your Van checked by a professional auto mechanic routinely. If you are not sure about regular maintenance tasks needed for your specific Van, you can speak with a mechanic locally or online.
Drive Your Nissan Clipper Regularly:
If you happen to leave your Nissan Clipper in the driveway for long periods of time without taking it for a spin now and again, the battery may drain as it’s not receiving any electrical charge from the engine running running regularly. Try your best to drive your vehicle frequently to keep the battery charged up. Take it for a fast spin to make sure there is still charge in the battery if you remember you haven’t driven your Nissan in a while. Worth noting: letting the battery totally drain, is also damaging to the long-term life of the battery, try not to do this.
Pay Attention to Warning Signs:
If you observe anything strange like unusual sounds, a difference in driving and performance, or warning lights are now visible on the dash, do not ignore them. These are usually early warnings of an issue and it’s best to be resolved ASAP before they become bigger problems down the line. Speak to a mechanic locally or online about these warning lights and get advice on if they need to be addressed.
When to Ask a Nissan Mechanic Online
If you’re either short on time, want a professional Nissan mechanic on hand helping and advising you, or you’ve actually attempted to resolve it by yourself, but despite your best efforts your Clipper will not start, then talking with a Nissan mechanic online can be a great choice. It certainly beats googling things like “Nissan wont start after getting gas” all day and still getting nowhere.
Benefits of an Online Nissan Mechanic
Online mechanic services offers a number of advantages. You can get skilled Nissan mechanic advice 24×7 and without leaving your home, which is especially useful if your Van won’t start and is stuck in the driveway. It can also help you save money as online mechanic consultations are more affordable than a physical visit to a local mechanic near you. Plus, you can get the answer quickly, which is fantastic if you’re in a hurry, require a second opinion, or you just like having a professional Nissan mechanic on hand.
How Solutions Like MechanicAnswer.com Can Help You
Our chat Nissan service connects you with accredited specialist mechanics who can offer instant help, guidance and advice with all issues and all Nissan models. It doesn’t matter if your Clipper is having trouble or your Nissan Cima won’t start, we’ve got the Nissan mechanics online that with a little bit of information over a chat box, can solve anything for you.
You have the ability to explain the problems you are having with your vehicle, ask Nissan mechanics limitless questions, and even upload images and videos so you can actually show the mechanic what you mean. You can talk with them through online chat or by telephone call, whichever you prefer. The Nissan mechanic online will help you detect the issue, guide you on what are the best options for your specific situation and even guide you through easy maintenance and repairs step by step.
Conclusion
In a nut shell, when your Nissan Clipper wont start, it will likely be a complete bummer and a huge hassle. However, understanding what may be causing the issues, having the ability to troubleshoot them, and knowing what actions are needed in each case, when and where to get help if needed, will be a substantial benefit. Keep in mind that regular upkeep is essential for preventing the vast majority of vehicle problems.
I hope this guide helps you get your Nissan started again, and have a great day!
Frequently Asked Questions When a Nissan Clipper Won’t Start (FAQs)
What should I do if my Nissan Clipper can’t start?
First of all, don’t panic. Attempt to identify any signs that might suggest a problem, such as unusual sounds, warning lights on the dash, or changes in performance. The cause of the problem is likely one of the most common causes gone over in this guide. You will need the assistance of a mechanic in your area or online if you can’t find the cause of the problem yourself.
How to tell if my Nissan Clipper won’t start because of the battery?
Indications of a battery issue in a Clipper include the engine being slow to crank, dim headlights, and lit battery warning lights on the dash. You can also check the battery terminals to see if they are clean, not corroded, and firmly connected. If the battery is weak or old, it may be best to just change it.
How can I prevent my Nissan Clipper not starting issues?
In order to make certain this inconvenience never occurs once again, regular upkeep is essential. This consists of things like oil changes, inspecting the battery and cleaning its terminals, changing the fuel filter as recommended/required, and having your Nissan Clipper inspected by a mechanic routinely. It’s also an excellent idea to drive the vehicle frequently so the battery stays charged.
Can I ask a mechanic online if my Nissan Clipper fails to start?
Yes, you can. An online mechanic service like ours can provide instantaneous expert Nissan mechanic assistance and recommendations, without you needing to leave your home. If your Nissan Clipper will not start and is stuck in the driveway, this is particularly beneficial.
How can services like MechanicAnswer.com help if my Nissan Clipper won’t start?
We link you with accredited expert Nissan mechanics who can offer guidance on your particular scenario. You can tell them about your Van issues, ask unlimited questions, and even upload images and videos so you can properly describe and show the problem. The mechanic will be able to help, troubleshoot, identify the issue, recommend the best course of action and guide you along the way.
