Introduction
As a professional auto mechanic with over 20 years of experience, I’ve seen my fair share of Nissan Elgrands that refuse to start. And let me tell you, I understand how frustrating it can be when you’ve got places to go, you hop in, turn the key, and … drum roll please … nada!
But no need to worry dear reader, you’ve come to the right place. My name’s Robby and in this article, I’m going to walk you through the most frequent causes why your Nissan Elgrand won’t start. I’ll explain all the most common causes and you’ll find out how to diagnose each potential cause, as well as what to do in each case. I’ll offer useful troubleshooting pointers and repair solutions based on my two decades of practical experience, so you can get your Nissan Elgrand starting and back on the road as quickly as possible.
Understanding Why a Nissan Won’t Start
When you hop into your vehicle and realize “My Nissan Elgrand won’t start”, this could be due to a multitude of issues being wrong with your vehicle. Perhaps the engine is not starting at all, perhaps it is cranking partially however then not starting, or maybe it’s making a clicking noise when you try to start the engine, however ultimately absolutely nothing happens. Each of these situations can point to different issues with your car.
Common Reasons Why Your Nissan Elgrand Won’t Start
There are various reasons that an Elgrand won’t start. These concerns usually consist of a weak or dead vehicle battery, a bad alternator, starter motor problems, fuel system issues, along with electrical or wiring concerns. Each one of these issues can show up as an array of symptoms and require separate solutions to identify and resolve, so we can get your car back on the road as soon as possible.
Symptoms of Nissan Elgrand That Won’t Start
Being able to identify and diagnose these signs, will assist you in finding the underlying cause of the issue. For example, when you turn the key in the ignition, and you hear a clicking sound however your Jeep still won’t start, it can be a sign that there is an issue with the fuel or ignition system.
Analysis of The Reasons Why Your Nissan Elgrand Won’t Start
The initial step to figuring out a solution to the issue is knowing the root cause of that issue, so let’s delve into the most common factors why your Elgrand won’t start.
Nissan Elgrand Battery Issues
In most cases, the most common reason why your Nissan Elgrand can’t start is often due to the battery, it’s either dead or weak, and you have to charge your car’s battery or change it. The vehicle’s battery stores the electricity required to start the engine, and power all the electrical parts in your Nissan Elgrand. Signs of a weak or dead battery issue in a Elgrand, are things like the Jeep being slow to crank the engine, dim headlights, or a lit-up battery alert light on the dash. A portable jump starter allows you to jump start your vehicle’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 Elgrand Alternator Problems
The alternator is tasked with charging the battery from the engine while the vehicle is running. A defective alternator can certainly prevent your Nissan Elgrand from starting as it wont have the ability to charge the battery, from the engine, so it will be drained all the way down until it’s dead and you don’t realize it until you can’t get your Nissan to start. Signs that your vehicle’s alternator is faulty include a lit-up battery or alternator caution light on the dashboard, weak or dim headlights when the engine is idling, and also a whining or grinding sound from the engine while it’s running.
Nissan Elgrand Starter Motor Failures
When you start your Nissan Elgrand, the starter motor handles turning the engine over (cranking it). If the starter motor is damaged in some manner then the engine will not crank, and your Elgrand will not start. You can find out 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 noise during the start-up, or your Jeep only starts intermittently then the starter motor may very well be the problem.
Nissan Elgrand Fuel System Complications
We’re not talking about when you just run out of gas here, but your Jeep’s fuel system itself having issues. Your Nissan Elgrand uses a combustion engine, and, therefore, to start and run, it needs a proper mix of fuel and air. If your Elgrand problems are because of a faulty fuel system, this can sometimes be a clogged fuel filter or a damaged fuel pump relay, which could mean the engine might not be receiving the fuel it needs to get the vehicle up and running. 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 Elgrand Electrical System or Wiring Problems
Modern Nissan Elgrands rely greatly on electronics, which can mean there are lots of things that can potentially have an issue. Even in an older model, you can still have fairly normal issues such as blown fuses, spark plug problems, a broken ignition switch, or a broken sensor, and more. These can be a few of the many electrical reasons that your Nissan Elgrand will not start. Symptoms of a circuitry or electrical problem can vary widely however can typically include the engine not cranking, or your Elgrand can start but just intermittently or some alert lights show on the dashboard. To effectively identify and fix these kinds of issues, you will require the abilities of an experienced Nissan mechanic locally or online.
Solutions & Repair Tips
When you have determined what the cause of your Jeep troubles are. The next step is naturally to try and repair it. Here are some pointers for the common issues we’ve covered up until now.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Battery Issues in a Nissan Elgrand
If it’s a battery issue you suspect is the problem, then the first thing you ought to do is inspect around the battery and check the battery terminals. You want them to be clean, not corroded, and firmly connected. If you discover that the terminals are 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 Elgrand’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, you will need to replace the battery if it’s old or weak. Otherwise, even if you charge it up enough to start the vehicle, it will probably die again in the not so distant future. You can make use of a multimeter or OB2 scanner as a way to test the life of the battery to find out if it’s worth saving or if it needs to be changed 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 Elgrand, and choose a suitable one, from a seller with great reviews.
If charging your Elgrand’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 mechanics that travels to your vehicle near me.
How to Diagnose Alternator Problems in a Nissan Elgrand
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 Jeep starting problems, you can test it. If you can get the vehicle to start up temporarily (you may need to jump-start the vehicle for that), but once it’s going, let the Jeep run, and while it’s running, disconnect the positive terminal of the battery. If you notice your Nissan Elgrand is dying instantly, then it’s likely due to a problem with the alternator. You should be aware however that this method can be risky and dangerous, and may damage the sensitive electronic parts in your Nissan Elgrand, so it’s best to seek advice from an experienced auto mechanic in your area or online, prior to 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 Elgrand
You should listen for a clicking sound when you turn the ignition key if you suspect the starter motor is the cause of your Nissan Elgrand not starting. In these cases, the solution is to have the starter motor changed for a new one by a professional mechanic.
How to Deal With Fuel System Issues in a Nissan Elgrand
If you think the issue to be because of a fuel system problem, listen for the fuel pump when you turn the key to the “on” position, before starting the vehicle. You ought to hear a humming noise for a couple of seconds. It may be there is a problem with the fuel pump if you are unable to hear this noise. If you observe your Nissan is hard to start, it stalls, or it has poor acceleration, it could be a result of a clogged fuel filter. Both of these will likely require a professional auto mechanic in order to effectively 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 Repair Electrical or Wiring Issues in a Nissan Elgrand
If you suspect it’s an electrical wiring or electrical system issue, initially examine the fuses related to the ignition system, and replace any that have actually blown. If your Nissan starts after this, then it was a successful, low-cost and simple fix! However, if the Jeep refuses to start, even intermittently it could be an issue with the ignition switch itself. If various warning lights are visible on your dashboard, it could be a problematic sensor. These problems can be very complex and a professional Nissan mechanic is likely required to identify and have it properly repaired.
Preventive Steps
As my dad always stated “Prevention is better than cure”, so here are the best ways to ensure you avoid any Nissan Elgrand starting problems ever again!
Regular Maintenance of Your Nissan Elgrand:
Routine maintenance of your Nissan Elgrand is key to avoid future problems. This includes things like regular oil changes, inspecting your Jeep’s battery, cleaning up the terminals, replacing the fuel filter as advised/required, and of course having your vehicle examined by a reliable auto mechanic regularly. You can consult a mechanic locally or online if you are uncertain or needing further clarity about the regular maintenance tasks required for your specific vehicle.
Drive Your Nissan Elgrand Frequently:
If you happen to leave your Nissan Elgrand in your garage for long durations of time without taking it for a spin now and again, the battery will deplete down as it’s not being charged up by the engine running regularly. Try your best to drive your Elgrand regularly to keep the battery from draining. If you remember you have not driven your Jeep in a while, take it for a spin to make sure there is still a charge in the battery. Worth noting: letting the battery totally drain, is also damaging to the long-term life of the battery, try not to do this.
Take Notice Of Warning Signs:
If you notice anything strange like unusual noises, a difference in how it drives and the performance, or warning lights are now visible on the dash, don’t just disregard them. These are usually early warning signs of a problem and it’s best to be dealt with ASAP so that they don’t end up being much bigger problems down the line. Talk to a mechanic locally or online about these warning symbols and get advice on if they need to be dealt with.
When to Ask a Nissan Mechanic Online
If you want to save time, want a professional Nissan mechanic on hand assisting and advising you, or you’ve actually attempted to fix it by yourself, however despite your best efforts your Jeep can’t start, then chatting with a Nissan mechanic online can be a fantastic choice. It certainly beats googling things like “what does it mean when your Nissan cranks but wont start” all day and still getting nowhere.
Benefits of an Online Nissan Mechanic
Online mechanic services provides a number of advantages. You can get expert Nissan mechanic recommendations 24×7 and without leaving your house, which is especially useful if your Jeep won’t start and is stuck in the driveway. It can also help you save money as online mechanic consultations are much cheaper than a physical visit to a local mechanic near you. Plus, you can get answers rapidly, which is great if you’re in a hurry, require a 2nd opinion, or you just like having a professional Nissan mechanic on hand.
How Services Like MechanicAnswer.com Can Benefit You
Our Nissan mechanic online service connects you with accredited specialist mechanics who can offer immediate help, guidance and recommendations with all issues and all Nissan models. It doesn’t matter if your Elgrand is having trouble or your Nissan Dualis 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’re able to explain the issues you are having with your vehicle, ask Nissan mechanics limitless questions, and even upload images and videos so you are able to show the mechanic what you mean. You can talk with them through online chat or by phone call, whichever you prefer. The Nissan mechanic online will help you identify the issue, guide you on the best course of action for your specific scenario and even guide you through easy maintenance and repairs every step of the way.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when your Nissan Elgrand will not start, it can be a complete downer and an enormous inconvenience. However, having a firm grasp of what may be triggering the issues, being able to troubleshoot them, and knowing what actions are needed in each case, when and where to get help if needed, will be a huge benefit. Keep in mind that regular upkeep is essential for preventing all kinds of Jeep problems.
I hope this guide helps you get your Nissan started again, and have a great day!
Frequently Asked Questions When a Nissan Elgrand Won’t Start (FAQs)
What should I do if my Nissan Elgrand will not start?
Firstly, don’t panic. Attempt to identify any signs that might show a problem, such as unusual sounds, warning lights on the dash, or changes in performance. The cause of the problem is most likely among the typical causes talked about in this guide. You will need the help 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 Elgrand won’t start because of the battery?
Indications of a battery problem in a Elgrand consist of 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 securely connected. If the battery is old or weak, it might be best to just swap it for a newer one.
How can I prevent my Nissan Elgrand not starting issues?
In order to make certain this annoyance never ever takes place once again, regular upkeep is crucial. This includes things like oil changes, inspecting the battery and cleaning its terminals, changing the fuel filter as recommended/required, and having your Nissan Elgrand inspected by a mechanic often. It’s also an excellent idea to drive the vehicle frequently so the battery remains charged.
Can I ask a mechanic online if my Nissan Elgrand won’t start?
Yes, you can. An online mechanic service like ours can supply instantaneous professional Nissan mechanic help and guidance, without you having to leave your house. If your Nissan Elgrand fails to start and is stuck in the driveway, this is especially helpful.
How can services like MechanicAnswer.com help if my Nissan Elgrand will not start?
We link you with licensed professional Nissan mechanics who can supply recommendations on your particular scenario. You can tell them about your vehicle problems, ask unlimited questions, and even upload images and videos so you can effectively demonstrate the problem and describe it fully. The mechanic will have the ability to help, troubleshoot, diagnose the problem, suggest the best course of action and guide you along the way.
