Intro
As a professional auto mechanic with over 20 years of experience, I’ve seen my good share of Nissan Vanettes that won’t to start. And I can assure 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 … absolutely nothing!
But don’t worry, 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 Vanette 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 offer practical troubleshooting tips and repair solutions based on my 20 years’ of hands-on experience, so you can get your Nissan Vanette starting and driving again as swiftly as possible.
Understanding Why a Nissan Won’t Start
When you realize to yourself “My Nissan Vanette won’t start”, this could be due to various things being wrong with your Van. Maybe it’s a case where the engine is not cranking at all, possibly it is turning over partially but then not starting, or possibly you can hear a clicking sound when you attempt to start the engine, but in the end absolutely nothing happens. Each of these situations can point to different problems with your car.
Common Reasons Why Your Nissan Vanette Won’t Start
There are many reasons a Vanette will not start up. These concerns usually consist of a weak or dead vehicle battery, a faulty alternator, starter motor issues, fuel system problems, along with electrical or circuitry issues. Each one of these problems 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 Vanette That Won’t Start
Having the ability to identify and diagnose these signs, will assist you in discovering the underlying cause of the problem. For example, when you turn the key in the ignition, and you hear a clicking noise but your Van still refuses to start, it can be a sign that there is a problem with the fuel or ignition system.
Analysis of The Reasons Why Your Nissan Vanette Won’t Start
The initial step to discovering a practical solution to the issue is getting to grips with the underlying cause of that problem, so let’s dig into the most common reasons your Vanette can’t start.
Nissan Vanette Battery Issues
In most instances, the most common reason why your Nissan Vanette won’t start is, in many cases the result of your battery, it’s either weak or dead, and you have to charge your car’s battery or replace it. The vehicle’s battery supplies the electric required to start the engine, and power all the electrical components in your Nissan Vanette. Signs of a weak or dead battery issue in a Vanette, are things like the Van being sluggish to crank the engine, poorly lit headlights, or a lit-up battery caution light on your car’s 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 Vanette Alternator Problems
The alternator is tasked with charging the battery from the engine while the vehicle is running. A defective alternator can easily prevent your Nissan Vanette from starting as it will not be able to charge up the battery, from the engine, so it will drain all the way down until it’s totally dead and you only realize it when you can’t get your Nissan started. Symptoms that your Vanettes alternator may be faulty include a lit-up battery or alternator warning light on the dashboard, poorly lit headlights when the engine is idling, and also a whining or grinding sound from the engine while it’s running.
Nissan Vanette Starter Motor Failures
When you start your Nissan Vanette, the starter motor deals with turning the engine over (cranking it). If the starter motor is defective in some way then the engine may not crank, and your Vanette won’t start. You can tell if your starter motor has a problem or not typically by listening for 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 Vanette Fuel System Complications
We’re not talking about when you just run out of gas here, but your Van’s fuel system itself having issues. Your Nissan Vanette uses a combustion engine, and because of this to start and run, it requires a proper mix of fuel and air. If your Vanette problems 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 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 Vanette Electrical System or Wiring Problems
Today’s modern Nissan Vanettes rely heavily on electronic components, which can mean there are lots of things that can potentially break. Even in an older model, you can still have regular problems such as blown fuses, spark plug issues, a broken ignition switch, or a faulty sensor, and more. These can be a few of the many electrical reasons your vehicle can’t start. Symptoms of a circuitry or electrical issue can differ vastly but can often include the engine not cranking, or your Vanette can start however just intermittently or some warning lights come on the dashboard. To effectively identify and repair these kinds of issues, you will require the skills of a knowledgeable Nissan mechanic in your area or online.
Solutions & Repair Tips
When you have figured out what the cause of your Van being unable to start is. The next step is naturally to try and repair it. Here are some suggestions for the typical problems we’ve covered up until now.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Battery Issues in a Nissan Vanette
If you think it’s possibl a battery problem is the culprit as to why your Vanette has difficulty starting up, then the first thing you must do is check around the battery and check the battery terminals. You want them to be clean, not corroded, and securely 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 Vanette’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 Vanette, it will likely 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 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 Vanette, and choose a suitable one, from a seller with great reviews.
If charging your Vanette’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 on the go.
How to Diagnose Alternator Problems in a Nissan Vanette
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 vehicle run, and while it’s running, disconnect the positive terminal of your Van’s battery. If you discover your Nissan Vanette is dying pretty quickly, then it’s probably because of an issue with your vehicle’s alternator. However, be warned this test can be risky if you don’t know what you’re doing, and may harm the sensitive electronic elements in your Van, so its best to consult with a reliable mechanic locally 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 Vanette
You should listen for a clicking sound when you turn the key in the ignition or press the start button if you suspect the starter motor is the root cause of your Nissan Vanette not starting. In this case, the solution is to have the starter motor replaced by a professional mechanic.
How to Resolve Fuel System Complications in a Nissan Vanette
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 Van. You should hear a humming sound for a couple of seconds. If you are not able to hear this noise, then it may be there is cause for concern with the fuel pump. If you observe your Nissan is hard to start, it stalls, or it has bad acceleration, it could be a result 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 Fix Electrical or Wiring Problems in a Nissan Vanette
If you suspect it’s a circuitry or electrical system issue, first check the fuses related to the ignition system, and replace any that have blown. If your Vanette starts after this, then it was a successful, easy and inexpensive fix! If the Van doesn’t start, even intermittently, it could be indicative of with the ignition switch itself. It may be a faulty sensing unit if numerous warning lights are lit up on the dash. These issues can be very complicated and a professional Nissan mechanic is likely needed to diagnose and repair it.
Preventive Steps
As my father always stated “Prevention is better than cure”, so here are some preventative measures to ensure you prevent any Nissan Vanette starting troubles again!
Routine Upkeep of Your Nissan Vanette:
Regular maintenance of your Nissan Vanette is of the utmost importance to preventing future difficulties. This consists of things like regular oil changes, checking your vehicle’s battery, cleaning the terminals, changing the fuel filter as advised/needed, and having your vehicle inspected by a professional auto mechanic routinely. If you are uncertain about regular maintenance tasks required for your specific Van, you can seek advice from a mechanic locally or online.
Drive Your Nissan Vanette Frequently:
If you happen to leave your Nissan Vanette off for long periods of time without driving it, the battery may waste out of charge as it’s not being charged up by the engine being in use. Try your best to drive your vehicle frequently to keep the battery from draining. Take it for a quick 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 to the longevity of the battery, try not to do this.
Take Notice Of Warning Signs:
If you observe anything out of the ordinary like unusual sounds, changes in driving and performance, or warning lights lit up on the dash, do not ignore them and get on with your day. These are usually early warning signs of an issue and it’s best to be attended to ASAP before they end up being much bigger problems down the line. Chat with a mechanic in your area 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 want to save time, would like a professional Nissan mechanic on hand to guide and to advise you, or you have attempted to resolve it for yourself, but despite your best efforts your Vanette can’t start, then talking with a Nissan mechanic online can be a terrific choice. It certainly beats googling things like “Nissan wont start clicking noise lights flicker” all day and still getting nowhere.
Benefits of an Online Nissan Mechanic
Online mechanic services offers a number of benefits. You can get professional Nissan mechanic suggestions 24×7 and without leaving your house, which is particularly beneficial if your vehicle 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 rapidly, which is great if you’re in a rush, need a 2nd opinion, or you simply like having a specialist Nissan mechanic on hand.
How Solutions Like MechanicAnswer.com Can Benefit You
Our speak to a Nissan mechanic online free service connects you with licensed specialist mechanics who can offer instant help, guidance and advice with all issues and all Nissan models. It doesn’t matter if your Vanette is having trouble or your Nissan Urvan 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 Van, ask Nissan mechanics unlimited questions, and even upload pictures and videos so you can actually show the mechanic what you mean. You can talk to them through online chat or by telephone call, whichever you choose. The Nissan mechanic will help you identify the issue, guide you on the best course of action for your specific circumstance and even guide you through basic maintenance and repair work every step of the way.
Conclusion
To summarize, when your Nissan Vanette will not start, it can be a major downer and a massive inconvenience. However, having an understanding of what might be triggering the problems, having the ability to troubleshoot them, and knowing what actions are required in each case, when and where to get help if required, will be a huge benefit. Remember that routine maintenance is crucial for preventing all kinds 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 Vanette Won’t Start (FAQs)
What should I do if my Nissan Vanette won’t start?
First of all, don’t panic. Try to identify any symptoms that might suggest a problem, such as unusual sounds, warning lights on the dash, or changes in performance. The reason for the problem is likely among the main causes discussed in this guide. If you can’t find the issue yourself, you will need the assistance of a Nissan mechanic in your area or online.
How to tell if my Nissan Vanette won’t start because of the battery?
Signs of a battery problem in a Vanette 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. If the battery is weak or old, it may be best to simply swap it for a newer one.
How can I prevent my Nissan Vanette not starting issues?
In order to ensure this inconvenience never takes place once again, regular upkeep is essential. This includes things like oil changes, checking the battery and cleaning its terminals, replacing the fuel filter as recommended/required, and having your Nissan Vanette inspected by a mechanic regularly. It’s also a terrific idea to drive the Van frequently so the battery remains charged.
Can I ask a mechanic online if my Nissan Vanette fails to start?
Yes, you can. An online mechanic service like ours can offer instant specialist Nissan mechanic help and suggestions, without you having to leave your home. If your Nissan Vanette fails to start and is stuck in the driveway, this is particularly helpful.
How can services like MechanicAnswer.com help if my Nissan Vanette fails to start?
We connect you with licensed expert Nissan mechanics who can provide suggestions on your particular situation. You can inform them about your Van problems, ask unlimited questions, and even submit images and videos so you can properly demonstrate the problem and explain it. The mechanic will be able to assist, troubleshoot, diagnose the issue, recommend the best course of action and guide you along the way.
