Introduction
As a certified auto mechanic with over twenty years of experience, I’ve seen my fair share of Nissan Quests that won’t to start. And believe me, 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 to worry dear reader, you’ve come to the right place. My name’s Robby and in this article, I’m going to guide you through the most frequent explanations why your Nissan Quest 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 practical troubleshooting pointers and repair solutions based on my two decades of hands-on experience, so you can get your Nissan Quest starting and driving again as swiftly as possible.
Understanding Why a Nissan Won’t Start
When you realize to yourself “My Nissan Quest won’t start”, this could be due to a multitude of things being wrong with your Minivan. Maybe the engine is not cranking at all, potentially it is turning over partially but then not starting, or possibly you can hear a clicking sound when you try to start the engine, however ultimately nothing happens. Each of these circumstances can be indicative of various issues with your car.
Common Reasons Why Your Nissan Quest Won’t Start
There are numerous reasons that a Quest fails to start up. These concerns usually consist of a dead or weak vehicle battery, a faulty alternator, starter motor problems, fuel system issues, along with electrical or wiring problems. Each one of these problems can show up as a multitude of symptoms and require separate solutions to troubleshoot and repair, so we can get your car back on the road ASAP.
Symptoms of Nissan Quest That Won’t Start
Being able to identify and diagnose these symptoms, will assist you in discovering the underlying cause of the problem. For instance, when you turn the key in the ignition, and you hear a clicking sound but your Nissan still refuses to start, it is often a sign that there is an issue with the fuel or ignition system.
Analysis of The Reasons Why Your Nissan Quest Won’t Start
The very first step to discovering a practical solution to the issue is figuring out the underlying cause of that issue, so let’s explore the most typical factors why your Quest will not start.
Nissan Quest Battery Issues
In the vast majority of instances, the most common reason why your Nissan Quest can’t start is often because of your car battery, it’s either weak or dead, and you have to either charge the battery or change it. The Minivan’s battery provides the electric required to start the engine, and power all the electrical components in your Nissan Quest. Signs of a weak or dead battery issue in a Quest, can be things like the Minivan being slow to crank the engine, weak or dim headlights, or a lit-up battery alert light on your car’s dashboard. 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 Quest Alternator Problems
The alternator is responsible for charging the battery from the engine while the vehicle is running. A broken alternator can certainly prevent your Nissan Quest from starting as it wont be able to charge up the battery, from the engine, so it will be drained fairly quickly until it’s totally dead and you don’t realize it until you get in your Quest and it won’t start. Symptoms that your Quests alternator may be faulty include a lit-up battery or alternator caution light on the dash, weak or dim headlights when the engine is idling, and also a whining or grinding sound from the engine while it’s running.
Nissan Quest Starter Motor Failures
When you start your Nissan Quest, the starter motor deals with turning the engine over (cranking it). If the starter motor is faulty in some way then the engine is not going to crank, and your Quest can’t start. You can find out if your starter motor has an issue or not often by listening for a clicking noise when you turn your key or a grinding noise during the startup, or your Minivan only starts intermittently then the starter motor may very well be the problem.
Nissan Quest Fuel System Complications
We’re not talking about when you just run out of gas here, but your vehicle’s fuel system itself having problems. Your Nissan Quest uses a combustion engine, and because of this to start and run, it requires a mix of enough fuel and air. If your Quest issues are the result of a faulty fuel system, this might be a clogged fuel filter or a damaged fuel pump relay, which could mean the engine may not be getting the fuel it needs to get the Minivan 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 Quest Electrical System or Wiring Problems
Modern Nissan Quests rely heavily on electronics, which can mean there are lots of things that can potentially go wrong. Even in an older model, you can still have typical problems such as blown fuses, spark plug problems, a broken ignition switch, or a faulty sensor, and more. These can be some of the numerous electrical reasons your Nissan Quest won’t start up. Indications of a circuitry or electrical problem can differ vastly but can typically include the engine not cranking, or your Quest can start but just intermittently or numerous warning lights are lit up on the dash. To properly diagnose and repair these kinds of problems, you will require the abilities of a knowledgeable Nissan mechanic in your area or online.
Solutions & Repair Tips
When you have found out what the cause of your vehicle being unable to start is. The next logical step is of course to try and fix it. Here are some pointers for the common problems we’ve covered up until this point.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Battery Issues in a Nissan Quest
If it’s a battery issue you suspect is the cause of your troubles, then the first thing you need to do is inspect the battery terminals. You want them to be clean, not corroded, and securely connected. If you 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 Quest’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 Quest, 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 see if it’s worth saving or if it needs to be replaced. 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 Quest, and choose a suitable one, from a seller with great reviews.
If charging your Quest’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 Door-to-door mechanic.
How to Diagnose Alternator Problems in a Nissan Quest
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 Minivan to start up temporarily (you may need to jump-start the vehicle for that), but once it’s going, let the Minivan run, and while it’s running, disconnect the positive terminal of your vehicle’s battery. If you notice your Nissan Quest dies instantly, then it’s likely because of a problem with your vehicle’s alternator. However, be warned this test can be risky and dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing, and may damage the delicate electronic elements in your vehicle, so in this case best to consult with a professional mechanic local to you or online, before ever attempting 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 Quest
It’s most likely an issue with your starter motor if you are able to hear the clicking sound, however the engine doesn’t crank. In these cases, the solution is to have the starter motor changed for a new one by a professional mechanic.
How to Resolve Fuel System Issues in a Nissan Quest
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 up the vehicle. You should be able to hear a humming sound for a couple of seconds. If you are unable to hear this sound, then it may be there is cause for concern with the fuel pump. If you observe your Nissan is difficult to start, it stalls, or it has bad acceleration, it might be a result of a clogged fuel filter. Both of these will likely need a reliable 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 Fix Electrical or Wiring Issues in a Nissan Quest
If you think it’s a circuitry or electrical system problem, initially inspect the fuses related to the ignition system, and change any that have actually blown. If your Nissan Quest starts after this, then it was an effective, easy and cheap repair! However, if the Minivan doesn’t start, even intermittently it could be an issue with the ignition switch itself. It may be a faulty sensor if various warning lights are noticeable on the dash. These problems can be really complex and a reliable Nissan mechanic is most likely needed 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 make sure you hopefully avoid any Nissan Quest starting problems ever again!
Regular Upkeep of Your Nissan Quest:
Regular upkeep of your Nissan Quest is of the utmost importance to avoiding future troubles. This consists of things like regular oil changes, checking the battery, cleaning the terminals, changing the fuel filter as recommended/required, and of course having your Minivan inspected by a reliable auto mechanic routinely. If you are unsure about routine maintenance tasks required for your particular Minivan, you can speak with a mechanic locally or online.
Drive Your Nissan Quest Regularly:
If you happen to leave your Nissan Quest stagnant for long periods of time without taking it for a spin now and again, the battery will run out of charge as it’s not receiving any electrical charge from the engine running being in use. Try your best to drive your Quest frequently to keep the battery from draining. Take it for a fast spin to make sure there is still charge in the battery if you remember you have not driven your Nissan for a while. Worth noting: letting the battery fully drain, is also damaging for the longevity of the battery, try not to do this.
Pay Attention to Warning Signs:
If you notice anything strange like unusual sounds, a difference in how it drives and the performance, or warning lights showing on your Nissan Quests dashboard, don’t just disregard them and get on with your day. These are usually early warning signs of an issue and it’s best to be dealt with ASAP so that they don’t become larger issues down the line. Chat with a mechanic locally or online about these warning lights and find out if they need to be dealt with.
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 actually attempted to solve it yourself, but regardless of your best efforts your Minivan can’t start, then chatting with a Nissan mechanic online can be a terrific choice. It certainly beats googling things like “Nissan starts when jumped but wont start again” 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 recommendations 24×7 and without leaving your home, which is particularly helpful if your Minivan 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 answers rapidly, which is excellent if you’re in a rush, require a 2nd opinion, or you just like having a specialist Nissan mechanic on hand.
How Services Like MechanicAnswer.com Can Benefit You
Our ask Nissan mechanic online free service connects you with certified specialist mechanics who can provide instantaneous aid, guidance and advice with all issues and all Nissan models. It doesn’t matter if your Quest is having trouble or your Nissan Qashqai 2 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 issues you are having with your vehicle, ask Nissan mechanics limitless questions, and even upload pictures and videos so you are able to show the mechanic what you mean. You can speak to them via online chat or by phone call, whichever you choose. The Nissan mechanic online will help you identify the problem, advise you on what are the best options for your individual situation and even guide you through easy maintenance and repairs step by step.
Conclusion
To sum it all up, when your Nissan Quest can’t start, it will likely be a total bummer and a massive inconvenience. However, having an understanding of what might be causing 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 substantial benefit. Keep in mind that routine maintenance is crucial for avoiding the majority of Minivan problems.
I hope this guide helps you get your Nissan started again, and have a great day!
Frequently Asked Questions When a Nissan Quest Won’t Start (FAQs)
What should I do if my Nissan Quest can’t start?
First of all, don’t panic. Attempt to identify any symptoms that could suggest a problem, such as unusual sounds, warning lights on the dash, or changes in performance. The cause of the issue is most likely one of the main causes gone over in this guide. You will need the aid of a mechanic in your area or online if you can’t find the issue yourself.
How to tell if my Nissan Quest won’t start because of the battery?
Signs of a battery problem in a Quest 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 may be best to simply change it.
How can I prevent my Nissan Quest not starting issues?
In order to make certain this inconvenience never happens again, routine upkeep is key. This includes things like oil changes, checking the battery and cleaning its terminals, replacing the fuel filter as recommended/required, and getting your Nissan Quest checked by a mechanic regularly. It’s also a great idea to drive the Minivan regularly so the battery remains charged.
Can I ask a mechanic online if my Nissan Quest will not start?
Yes, you can. An online mechanic service like ours can supply instant specialist Nissan mechanic help and guidance, without you needing to leave your home. This is particularly beneficial if your vehicle is unable to start and is stuck in the driveway.
How can services like MechanicAnswer.com help if my Nissan Quest fails to start?
We connect you with accredited professional Nissan mechanics who can supply suggestions on your specific scenario. You can tell them about your Minivan problems, ask unlimited questions, and even upload images and videos so you can appropriately describe and show the issue. The mechanic will have the ability to assist, troubleshoot, diagnose the problem, suggest the very best course of action and guide you along the way.
