Introduction
As a licensed auto mechanic with over twenty years of experience, I’ve seen my fair share of Nissan Mistrals that refuse to start. And I can assure 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 no need for concern, you’ve come to the right place. My name’s Robby and in this article, I’m going to walk you through the most usual causes why your Nissan Mistral won’t start. I’ll discuss all the most common causes and you’ll learn how to identify each potential cause, as well as what to do in each case. I’ll provide practical troubleshooting tips and repair solutions based on my 20 years’ of practical experience, so you can get your Nissan Mistral starting and back on the road as swiftly as possible.
Understanding Why a Nissan Won’t Start
When you realize to yourself “My Nissan Mistral won’t start”, this could be because of an array of things being wrong with your Jeep. Maybe the engine is not cranking at all, possibly it is cranking partially but then not starting, or maybe you can hear a clicking noise when you attempt to start the engine, however ultimately absolutely nothing happens. Each of these circumstances can be a sign of different problems with your car.
Common Reasons Why Your Nissan Mistral Won’t Start
There are many reasons that a Mistral will not start up. These issues usually include a dead or weak Jeep battery, a bad alternator, starter motor issues, fuel system complications, as well as electrical or circuitry complications. Each one of these problems can show up as various symptoms and require separate solutions to detect and resolve, so we can get your car back on the road as soon as possible.
Symptoms of Nissan Mistral That Won’t Start
Having the ability to identify and diagnose these symptoms, will assist you in discovering the root cause of the problem. For instance, when you turn the key in the ignition, and you hear a clicking sound however your Nissan still fails to start, it is often a sign that there is an issue with the fuel or ignition system of your vehicle.
Analysis of The Reasons Why Your Nissan Mistral Won’t Start
The very first step to finding a solution to the problem is knowing the underlying cause of that issue, so let’s look into the most common reasons your Mistral fails to start.
Nissan Mistral Battery Issues
In the majority of cases, the most common reason why your Nissan Mistral won’t start is, in many cases because of the battery, it’s either dead or weak, and you have to charge the battery or change it. The vehicle’s battery stores the power required to start the engine, and power all the electrical components in your Nissan Mistral. Signs of a weak or dead battery issue in a Mistral, are things like the vehicle being sluggish to crank the engine, dim headlights, or a lit-up battery alert light on your car’s 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 Mistral 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 Mistral from starting as it wont be able to charge the battery, from the engine, so it will deplete all the way down until it’s totally dead and you don’t realize it until you get into your beloved Mistral and it refuses to start. Symptoms that your Mistrals 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 noise from the engine while it’s running.
Nissan Mistral Starter Motor Failures
The starter motor deals with turning the engine over (cranking) when you start up your Nissan. If the starter motor is broken in some way then the engine may not crank, and your Mistral will not start. You can tell if your starter motor has a problem or not usually by listening, if you hear a clicking noise when you turn your key or a grinding sound throughout the startup, or your vehicle starts up but only intermittently, then the starter motor may very well be the problem.
Nissan Mistral Fuel System Complications
We’re not talking about when you merely run out of gas here, but your Jeep’s fuel system itself having complications. Your Nissan Mistral uses a combustion engine, and because of this to start and run, it needs a mix of enough fuel and air. If your Mistral issues are because of a faulty fuel system, this can be a clogged fuel filter or a broken fuel pump relay, which could suggest the engine may not be receiving the fuel it requires 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 Mistral Electrical System or Wiring Problems
Modern Nissan Mistrals rely heavily on electronic components, which can mean there are lots of things that can potentially have an issue. Even in an older car, you can still have fairly normal issues such as blown fuses, spark plug issues, a damaged ignition switch, or a damaged sensor, and more. These can be a few of the many electrical reasons that your vehicle will not start. Symptoms of a wiring or electrical problem can differ widely however can typically include the engine not cranking, or your Mistral can start but only intermittently or various alert lights are lit up on the dashboard. To effectively identify and fix these kinds of issues, you will require the abilities of a knowledgeable Nissan mechanic locally or online.
Solutions & Repair Tips
As soon as you have diagnosed what the reason for your Jeep failing to start is. The next step is of course to attempt to fix it. Here are some tips for the common issues we’ve covered up until this point.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Battery Issues in a Nissan Mistral
If you suspect it’s possibl a battery issue is the culprit as to why your Mistral has difficulty starting, then the first thing you should do is inspect around the battery and check the battery terminals. You want them to be clean, not corroded, and firmly connected. If you find that the terminals are corroded you can try to clean them up 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 Mistral’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 Mistral, it will probably run out of life once 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 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 Mistral, and choose a suitable one, from a seller with great reviews.
If charging your Mistral’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 comes to you.
How to Diagnose Alternator Problems in a Nissan Mistral
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 when it’s going, let the Jeep run, and while it’s running, disconnect the positive terminal of your Jeep’s battery. It’s likely because of an issue with your vehicle’s alternator if you find your Nissan Mistral dies fairly quickly when you disconnect the positive terminal. You should be aware however that this method can be dangerous, and may harm the delicate electronic components in your Nissan Mistral, so it’s best to seek advice from a professional auto mechanic in your area 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 Mistral
It’s most likely a problem with your starter motor if you hear the clicking sound but the engine doesn’t crank. In this case, the solution is to have the starter motor replaced by a professional mechanic.
How to Resolve Fuel System Issues in a Nissan Mistral
If you suspect 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 up the Jeep. You ought to hear a humming sound for a couple of seconds. If you are not able to hear this sound, then it may be there is cause for concern with the fuel pump. If you notice your Nissan is difficult to start, it stalls, or it has bad acceleration, it could possibly be because of a clogged fuel filter. Both of these will likely need a reliable auto mechanic in order to properly repair. 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 Mistral
If you think it’s an electrical wiring or electrical system issue, first check the fuses associated with the ignition system, and change any that have blown. If your Nissan Mistral starts after this, then it was an effective, easy and cheap fix! However, if the Jeep refuses to start, even intermittently it might be a problem with the ignition switch itself. It could be a faulty sensor if numerous warning lights are visible on the dash. These issues can be really intricate and a reliable Nissan mechanic is likely needed to identify and have it properly repaired.
Preventive Steps
As my father always said “Prevention is better than cure”, so here are the best ways to ensure you avoid any Nissan Mistral starting pains ever again!
Routine Upkeep of Your Nissan Mistral:
Regular upkeep of your Nissan Mistral is essential to preventing future troubles. This includes things like routine oil changes, inspecting your vehicle’s battery, cleaning the terminals, replacing the fuel filter as suggested/required, and of course having your Jeep examined by a professional auto mechanic routinely. You can speak with a mechanic locally or online if you are uncertain or not sure about the regular upkeep jobs required for your particular vehicle.
Drive Your Nissan Mistral Regularly:
If you happen to leave your Nissan Mistral in your garage for extended periods of time without driving it, the battery can drain as it’s not receiving any electrical charge from the engine running being used. Try your best to drive your vehicle 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 ensure there is still charge in the battery. Worth noting: letting the battery completely drain, is also damaging to the longevity of the battery, try not to do this.
Take Notice Of Warning Signs:
If you notice anything strange like uncommon noises, changes in how it drives and the performance, or warning lights are now visible on the dash, don’t just ignore them. These are usually early warning signs of an issue and it’s best to be attended to ASAP so that they don’t end up being bigger issues down the line. Talk to a mechanic locally or online about these issues and get advice on if they need to be resolved.
When to Ask a Nissan Mechanic Online
If you want to save time, want a specialist Nissan mechanic on hand guiding and advising you, or you’ve attempted to fix it for yourself, but despite your best efforts your vehicle will not start, then chatting with a Nissan mechanic online can be an excellent option. It certainly beats googling things like “Nissan lost power while driving and wont start” all day and still getting nowhere.
Advantages of an Online Nissan Mechanic
Online mechanic services provides a number of advantages. You can get skilled Nissan mechanic advice 24×7 and without leaving your home, which is particularly useful if your Jeep will not 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 responses rapidly, which is great if you’re in a hurry, need a 2nd opinion, or you simply like having a specialist Nissan mechanic on hand.
How Services Like MechanicAnswer.com Can Benefit You
Our talk to a Nissan mechanic free service connects you with accredited specialist mechanics who can provide immediate help, guidance and recommendations with all issues and all Nissan models. It doesn’t matter if your Mistral is having trouble or your Nissan Micra 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 describe the problems you are having with your vehicle, ask Nissan mechanics unlimited questions, and even submit photos and videos so you can actually show the mechanic what you mean. You can talk to them by means of online chat or by phone call, whichever you choose. The Nissan mechanic will help you diagnose the problem, guide you on the best course of action for your individual circumstance and even guide you through basic maintenance and repair work every step of the way.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when your Nissan Mistral is unable to start, it will likely be a complete disappointment and a huge inconvenience. However, understanding what might be triggering the problems, being able to troubleshoot them, and knowing what steps are needed in each case, when and where to get help if required, will be a big benefit. Remember that regular maintenance is essential for preventing the vast majority of vehicle issues.
I hope this guide helps you get your Nissan started again, and have a great day!
Frequently Asked Questions When a Nissan Mistral Won’t Start (FAQs)
What should I do if my Nissan Mistral can’t start?
First off, don’t panic. Attempt to identify any symptoms that could show an issue, such as unusual sounds, warning lights on the dash, or changes in performance. The cause of the problem is most likely one of the typical causes discussed in this guide. If you can’t find the problem yourself, you will require the aid of a Nissan mechanic in your area or online.
How to tell if my Nissan Mistral won’t start because of the battery?
Signs of a battery issue in a Mistral 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 tightly connected. It may be best to just change it if the battery is weak or old.
How can I prevent my Nissan Mistral not starting issues?
In order to make certain this inconvenience never ever occurs once again, regular upkeep is essential. This consists of things like oil changes, checking the battery and cleaning its terminals, changing the fuel filter as recommended/needed, and getting your Nissan Mistral checked by a mechanic frequently. It’s also a great idea to drive the vehicle frequently so the battery remains charged.
Can I ask a mechanic online if my Nissan Mistral will not start?
Yes, you can. An online mechanic service like ours can offer immediate expert Nissan mechanic help and guidance, without you having to leave your home. If your Nissan Mistral will not start and is stuck in the driveway, this is especially useful.
How can services like MechanicAnswer.com help if my Nissan Mistral won’t start?
We link you with licensed specialist Nissan mechanics who can provide advice on your specific scenario. You can inform them about your vehicle problems, ask unlimited questions, and even submit images and videos so you can correctly describe and show the issue. The mechanic will be able to help, troubleshoot, diagnose the issue, recommend the very best course of action and guide you along the way.
