Intro
As a professional auto mechanic with over 20 years of experience, I’ve seen my good share of Nissan Urvans that won’t to start. And I can assure you, I understand how annoying it can be when you’ve got places to go, you hop in, turn the key, and … drum roll please … absolutely nothing!
But fear not, 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 reasons why your Nissan Urvan 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 offer practical troubleshooting pointers and repair solutions based on my two decades of hands-on experience, so you can get your Nissan Urvan starting and back on the road as rapidly as possible.
Understanding Why a Nissan Won’t Start
When you realize to yourself “My Nissan Urvan won’t start”, this could be because of various issues being wrong with your Van. Perhaps the engine is not starting at all, potentially it is turning over partially however then not starting, or possibly it’s making a clicking sound when you try to start the engine, however in the end absolutely nothing happens. Each of these circumstances can be indicative of various issues with your car.
Common Reasons Why Your Nissan Urvan Won’t Start
There are various reasons why an Urvan refuses to start up. These problems usually consist of a weak or dead Van battery, a broken alternator, starter motor issues, fuel system issues, along with electrical or wiring concerns. Each one of these problems can manifest as a multitude of symptoms and require separate solutions to troubleshoot and fix, so we can get your car back on the road ASAP.
Symptoms of Nissan Urvan That Won’t Start
Having the ability to identify and diagnose these signs, will help you in discovering the root cause of the problem. For example, when you turn the key in the ignition, and you hear a clicking sound however your vehicle still can’t start, it can be a sign that there is a problem with the fuel or ignition system.
Analysis of The Reasons Why Your Nissan Urvan Won’t Start
The initial step to discovering a practical solution to the issue is knowing the root cause of that issue, so let’s explore the most common reasons your Urvan can’t start.
Nissan Urvan Battery Issues
In the vast majority of instances, the most common reason why your Nissan Urvan can’t start is often because of the battery, it’s either dead or weak, and you need to either recharge the battery or replace it. The Van’s battery stores the electric required to start the engine, and power all the electrical components in your Nissan Urvan. Symptoms of a bad battery problem in a Urvan, are things like the vehicle being sluggish 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 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 Urvan Alternator Problems
The alternator is tasked with charging the battery from the engine while the vehicle is running. A damaged alternator can certainly prevent your Nissan Urvan from starting as it will not have the ability to charge up the battery, from the engine, so it will be drained fairly quickly till it’s completely drained and you don’t realize it until you get in your Urvan and it won’t start. Signs that the alternator may be faulty can be a lit-up battery or alternator caution light on the dash, poorly lit headlights when the engine is idling, and also a whining or grinding sound from the engine while it’s running.
Nissan Urvan Starter Motor Failures
When you start your Nissan Urvan, the starter motor deals with turning the engine over (cranking it). If the starter motor is faulty in some way then the engine won’t crank, and your Urvan won’t start. You can find out if your starter motor has an issue or not typically by listening, if you hear a clicking noise when you turn your key or a grinding noise throughout the startup, or your vehicle starts up but only intermittently, then the starter motor may very well be the problem.
Nissan Urvan Fuel System Complications
We’re not talking about when you just run out of gas here, but your vehicle’s fuel system itself having issues. Your Nissan Urvan uses a combustion engine, and, therefore, to start and run, it requires a proper mix of fuel and air. If your Urvan issues are part of a faulty fuel system, this could be a clogged fuel filter or a failing fuel pump relay, which could indicate the engine may not be getting the fuel it needs to get the Van 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 Urvan Electrical System or Wiring Problems
Modern Nissan Urvans rely greatly on electronics, 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 broken ignition switch, or a damaged sensor, and more. These can be some of the many electrical reasons your Nissan Urvan can’t start. Symptoms of a circuitry or electrical problem can differ vastly but can often include the engine not cranking, or your Urvan can start however just intermittently or some alert lights show on the dashboard. To effectively diagnose and repair these kinds of problems, you will need the skills of a skilled Nissan mechanic in your area or online.
Solutions & Repair Tips
When you have diagnosed what the reason for your vehicle troubles are. The next step is naturally to attempt to repair it. Here are some suggestions for the common issues we’ve covered up until now.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Battery Issues in a Nissan Urvan
If you think it’s possibl a battery issue is the reason your Urvan has difficulty starting, then the first thing you ought to do is check 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 indeed 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 Urvan’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 vehicle, it will likely 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 replacing. 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 Urvan, and choose a suitable one, from a seller with great reviews.
If charging your Urvan’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 Mechanic that drives to your car.
How to Diagnose Alternator Problems in a Nissan Urvan
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 the alternator is what you think is the offender, 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 vehicle run, and while it’s running, disconnect the positive terminal of your Van’s battery. If you discover your Nissan Urvan dies pretty quickly, then it’s likely due to an issue with the alternator. However, be warned this test can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing, and might harm the delicate electronic elements in your Nissan Urvan, so in this case best to seek advice from a reliable mechanic local to you or online, prior to 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 Urvan
Listen for a clicking noise when you turn the ignition key if you suspect the starter motor is the cause of your Nissan Urvan not starting. In this case, the solution is to have the starter motor changed for a new one by a professional mechanic.
How to Fix Fuel System Complications in a Nissan Urvan
If you suspect the issue to be due to a fuel system problem, listen for the fuel pump when you turn the key to the “on” position, before starting the vehicle. You should be able to hear a humming noise for a few seconds. It may be there is a problem with the fuel pump if you are not able to hear this noise. If you observe your Nissan is tough to start, it stalls, or it has weak acceleration, it could possibly be due to a clogged fuel filter. Both of these will likely need 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 Fix Electrical or Wiring Issues in a Nissan Urvan
If you suspect it’s an electrical wiring or electrical system problem, first inspect the fuses related to the ignition system, and change any that have actually blown. If your Nissan Urvan starts after this, then it was an effective, simple and cheap repair! If the Van doesn’t start, even intermittently, it could be cause for concern with the ignition switch itself. If different warning lights are visible on your dashboard, it could be a faulty sensor. These problems can be very complicated and a reliable Nissan mechanic is likely needed to diagnose and repair it.
Preventive Steps
As my father always said “Prevention is better than cure”, so here are the best ways to ensure you hopefully avoid any Nissan Urvan starting troubles ever again!
Regular Upkeep of Your Nissan Urvan:
Regular maintenance of your Nissan Urvan is of the utmost importance to avoiding future problems. This consists of things like regular oil changes, inspecting the battery, cleaning up the terminals, changing the fuel filter as recommended/required, and of course having your vehicle inspected by a reliable auto mechanic regularly. If you are uncertain about routine maintenance tasks required for your specific vehicle, you can consult a mechanic locally or online.
Drive Your Nissan Urvan Regularly:
If you happen to leave your Nissan Urvan off for long durations of time without driving it, the battery will deplete down as it’s not being charged up by the engine being in use. Try to drive your Urvan regularly to keep the battery full of juice. 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 in a while. Worth noting: letting the battery fully drain, is also damaging for the long-term life of the battery, try not to do this.
Take Notice Of Warning Signs:
If you observe anything out of the ordinary like uncommon noises, a difference in how it drives and the performance, or alert lights are now visible on your Nissan Urvans dashboard, do not ignore them and get on with your day. These are usually early signs of an issue and are best being resolved ASAP so that they don’t become bigger issues down the line. Speak to a mechanic locally or online about these warning symbols and find out if they need to be dealt with.
When to Ask a Nissan Mechanic Online
If you’re either limited on time, want a professional Nissan mechanic on hand guiding and advising you, or you’ve actually tried to solve it yourself, however despite your best efforts your Van will not start, then talking with a Nissan mechanic online can be a terrific option. It certainly beats googling things like “new battery and Nissan still wont start” all day and still getting nowhere.
Advantages of an Online Nissan Mechanic
Online mechanic services offers several benefits. You can get skilled Nissan mechanic guidance 24×7 and without leaving your home, which is particularly useful if your Van 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 the answer quickly, which is terrific if you’re in a hurry, need a 2nd opinion, or you just prefer having a professional Nissan mechanic on hand.
How Solutions Like MechanicAnswer.com Can Help You
Our 24 7 Nissan mechanic hotline free service connects you with licensed professional mechanics who can supply instantaneous help, guidance and advice with all issues and all Nissan models. It doesn’t matter if your Urvan is having trouble or your Nissan Titan 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 Van, ask Nissan mechanics unlimited questions, and even submit photos and videos so you can actually show the mechanic what you mean. You can speak to them via online chat or by phone call, whichever you prefer. The Nissan mechanic online will help you detect the problem, guide you on what are the best options for your individual circumstance and even assist you through easy maintenance and repairs step by step.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when your Nissan Urvan won’t start, it will likely be a total bummer and a massive inconvenience. However, having an understanding of 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 substantial benefit. Keep in mind that routine maintenance is essential for preventing the vast majority of Van problems.
I hope this guide helps you get your Nissan started again, and have a great day!
Frequently Asked Questions When a Nissan Urvan Won’t Start (FAQs)
What should I do if my Nissan Urvan won’t start?
To start with, don’t panic. Attempt to identify any signs that could indicate 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 most common causes talked about in this guide. You will need the assistance of a mechanic in your area or online if you can’t find the issue yourself.
How to tell if my Nissan Urvan won’t start because of the battery?
Indications of a battery problem in a Urvan 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 tightly connected. If the battery is old or weak, it may be best to just change it.
How can I prevent my Nissan Urvan not starting issues?
In order to ensure this inconvenience never takes place again, routine upkeep is key. This consists of things like oil changes, checking the battery and cleaning its terminals, changing the fuel filter as recommended/required, and having your Nissan Urvan checked by a mechanic regularly. It’s also an excellent idea to drive the Van frequently so the battery remains charged.
Can I ask a mechanic online if my Nissan Urvan won’t start?
Yes, you can. An online mechanic service like ours can provide immediate specialist Nissan mechanic assistance and recommendations, without you having to leave your house. This is specifically beneficial if your vehicle will not start and is stuck in the driveway.
How can services like MechanicAnswer.com help if my Nissan Urvan fails to start?
We link you with licensed expert Nissan mechanics who can provide advice on your specific circumstance. You can inform them about your Van issues, ask unlimited questions, and even submit images and videos so you can effectively explain and show the problem. The mechanic will be able to help, troubleshoot, diagnose the problem, recommend the very best course of action and guide you along the way.