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Posted: 8/9/2005 1:15:31 PM EDT
A friend of mine has been having intermittant starter problems on his Altima. I have always been the "go-to" guy for mechanical stuff in our circle of friends, so I offered to work on his car last weekend.
The starter was not activating 90% of the time when the key was turned to start. All of the other electrical systems worked fine and the battery tested good. Soooooo, off with the starter. Ever removed a starter from a front-wheel drive Nissan? Your right arm goes up between the oil pan and the right half-shaft, and your left arm goes between the lower engine support and the left half-shaft. Lots of fun on a still warm engine. I get the &)*&)$%$) starter out of the car and take it to O'Reilly for testing. It tests perfect. WTF? We go back to the house, test the ignition switch, the wiring harness at the starter, everything we can think of. Finally, while I was looking at schematics, I noticed the ASCD switch. It's a safety cut-out that keeps the starter from turning unless the clutch is fully depressed.  I find the switch under the dash. The clutch pedal arm has a flange the projects out to the side WITH A FARKING HOLE WHERE IT SHOULD PRESS THE ASCD SWITCH! WTF?!?! Why is there a hole right there. So I look on the floorboard and what do I find?  Pieces of a plastic plug that had previously been in that hole. They used a damn 2 cent piece of plastic for a part that is pretty much mission-critical. After 10 years, the plastic had deteriorated and broken into little pieces. The pedal arms would fail to depress the switch and the car would not start. It would finally engage when my friend got pissed and pressed the clutch downward and outward, bringing the metal arm into contact with the switch. I wonder how many shops have charged unsuspecting saps for a starter replacement when the problem was a tiny piece of plastic.  Two washer, one bolt and one nut later, it was fixed. &)*&)%#%#@W Nissan. |
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Posted: 8/9/2005 1:18:20 PM EDT
[#1]
Funny, I had to do exactly the same thing on my 1990 300ZX.
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Posted: 8/9/2005 1:23:35 PM EDT
[#2]
I thought this might be a bash the French thread...darn...
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Posted: 8/9/2005 1:25:30 PM EDT
[#3]
If that is the worst problem a 10 year old Nissan could have, I wouldn't bitch. It could be a lot worse, especially if it was a Ford.
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Posted: 8/9/2005 1:27:20 PM EDT
[#4]
Front wheel drives suck too. What happened to the good 'ol days of rear-wheel drives?
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Posted: 8/9/2005 1:29:17 PM EDT
[#5]
People actually keep cars for 10yr's...?!!
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Posted: 8/9/2005 1:29:53 PM EDT
[#6]
Other than trucks, I can't think of a lot of GM-Ford-Chrysler cars that make it that long.
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Posted: 8/9/2005 1:33:40 PM EDT
[#7]
Sounds like their way of keeping mechanics in business. Why wouldn't they just make that piece without the hole in it? Does it serve some sort of purpose durin ght construction of the vehicle or something?
Wonder how many other sneaky little shit things they slip in to get put you and your family at serious risk. Sounds like a potential class action suit. |
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Posted: 8/9/2005 1:34:04 PM EDT
[#8]
Yep. I'm on my second 10-year car. The first was a Toyota, this one is a Nissan. |
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Posted: 8/9/2005 1:34:43 PM EDT
[#9]
I kept my 1985 Nissan pickup for over 17 years, 235K miles, and never had any problem with the engine or drive train other than maintenance. The most difficult job I ever had to do on that truck was replacing clutch parts at 165K. I did have to replace the starter once. It was a 15-minute job (no front-wheel drive). |
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Posted: 8/9/2005 1:37:43 PM EDT
[#10]
This why Nissan has been going down the tubes. They are trying to save money whereever they can, and since you can't see it, then why not. Nissan is taking lessons from the likes of GM and Ford on how to build a cheap car.
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Posted: 8/9/2005 1:40:44 PM EDT
[#11]
Now you tell me... 
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Posted: 8/9/2005 2:11:06 PM EDT
[#12]
Same thing on my '95... Fuckers ! |
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Posted: 8/9/2005 2:14:23 PM EDT
[#13]
Pretty much. |
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Posted: 8/9/2005 2:16:37 PM EDT
[#14]
Are you sure that bolt won't break the more epensive switch if the clutch pedal is depressed with too much force?
Maybe that plug is a safety to keep from breaking the switch? |
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Posted: 8/9/2005 2:18:21 PM EDT
[#15]
Only if you have a car that can do it. Like a Nissan or Toyota or Honda |
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Posted: 8/9/2005 2:22:26 PM EDT
[#16]
My old lady had that problem with her 2002 altima and Im experiencing the same problem with my 2005 corolla. It sometimes doesnt start on the first try but always on the second. Real weird and I dont know my @#$% from my &*^ about vehicles!
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Posted: 8/9/2005 2:24:40 PM EDT
[#17]
that is nissan for you, i worked for a dealer for a while...funny things come up in the service bulletins, things that the public does not hear because it is never made out to be a recall
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Posted: 8/9/2005 2:26:32 PM EDT
[#18]
Yeah you're right about that, my GM '92 Olds Cutlas Cruiser station wagon croaked after 150,000 with a spun bearing and a slippig trans. I had to junk the car, not to mention all of the interior knobs and switches were falling apart. |
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Posted: 8/9/2005 2:36:55 PM EDT
[#19]
Things like the flooding problem on the 1.6l Sentras? I got stranded more times than I can count becuase of that. Rather than fix the design flaw, Nissan issued a TSB advising onwers to hold the pedal to the floor when starting and to keep cranking until the engine started. Great way to burn up a starter.
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Posted: 8/9/2005 2:42:27 PM EDT
[#20]
The problem with the old asain cars is they rot like crazy. Ever seen a '80s subaru on the road?
The older cars can swap engines and engines easily. The newer junk is such a hassle to do anything. They have those shitty sensors that have to be reset by a mechanic's computer or they fail inspection. The older(American) cars are easy maintenance. And when you restore them they a re actually worth money. The older asian cars aren't worth a damn thing restored. And since when have you seen a hot rod or muscle car made out of one of those. I like old American muscle and that's what I'm gonna stick with. They haven't failed me yet. |
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Posted: 8/9/2005 2:44:34 PM EDT
[#21]
Or my Ford T-bird (25+ years old now). The thing I hate about Ford now is crappy paint and the lack of torque converter drain plugs. While I'm at it, the lack of tachometers in many of its cars, delaminating paint, gutless engines, and uncomfortable seats. |
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Posted: 8/9/2005 2:45:19 PM EDT
[#22]
My ex-wife drove her 1984 Subaru until the engine finally wore out in 2002. |
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Posted: 8/9/2005 2:51:33 PM EDT
[#23]
*ahem* my 1972 Datsun(aka Nissan) 240Z is pretty damn kick ass. If you can't find classic import sports cars, you're just not looking hard enough. mine is the blue one. ETA pics 
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Posted: 8/9/2005 2:52:56 PM EDT
[#24]
You don't see old asian cars on the road becasue they're still running in latin america where they're happy to have a car that runs. My 10 year old Camry will make it to 20 years easily, but I doubt any American would want to drive it at that point. You see TONS of '70s datsuns and toyotas worldwide. |
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Posted: 8/9/2005 2:59:20 PM EDT
[#25]
We're getting my wife's 2000 Nissan Altima out of the shop tomorrow. It's in for its SECOND heater core replacement. Each one seems to last about 35,000 miles. And cost about $750 to replace. Plus it takes a week to get the job done, since they seem to have to ship heater cores by Chinese Junk from Japan and slow mule from the port of entry.
If it fails again, I'm selling the car and getting something else. Other than that, it's been a good car. |
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Posted: 8/9/2005 3:04:10 PM EDT
[#26]
Sorry about your troubles...
I've had 4 Nissans and have put over 200k on each one, and all were still running great when I sold them (except my 2005 Maxima which I just just got last fall.)
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Posted: 8/9/2005 4:20:08 PM EDT
[#27]
The plastic insert is there to keep from wearing the switch. A Nissan mechanic would have checked that first.
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Posted: 8/9/2005 4:28:33 PM EDT
[#28]
I did the following on my RX7, my 929, and now my Nissan Frontier. I made up a jumper, unplugged the clutch switch, and bypassed the damn thing.
Not because any of them malfunctioned, but because I don't like to have to push the clutch to start the engine, especially if I just want to reach in and start it for warmup. I ALWAYS park them in neutral and ALWAYS give the shifter a little side to side wiggle to make sure it is in neutral. If this switch going bad constitutes a reason to get pissed (when it should have been the first thing checked) and bash Nissan, you guys lead sheltered lives. |
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Posted: 8/9/2005 4:35:24 PM EDT
[#29]
Nissan used to be good, but now Nissan is basically Renault, and Renault hasn't ever made anything that didn't turn out to be shit.
I had an Infiniti G20 ('91 model) for a couple of years. It WAS a good car. I've never had a car that handled better, and you probably haven't, either. It was a darned good driver's car. BUT...holy hell, it was expensive to repair! I had to replace the alternator in it once. 350 bucks! EVERYTHING was expensive to fix on it. However, when I traded it in, though the leather seats were pretty much down to the foam (driver's seat, the rest were worn but serviceable) and it had 240,000 miles on it, and it was on its second engine, everything still worked. I now drive a Toyota Camry. A '92. V6, LE, black. In every respect save handling, it is a better car than the G20. Better mileage, more effective power, much cheaper to maintain, easier to work on, more reliable, and it's holding up better. And its handling is still quite good. If looking at a Jap car, look at a Toyota FIRST, and then look at one LAST, in your buying process, because your second look at a Toyota after comparing it to the competition will probably result in your buying the Toyota. CJ |
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Posted: 8/9/2005 4:42:45 PM EDT
[#30]
The problem with Asian cars is two hours after you drive one, you want to go for a drive again.
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Posted: 8/9/2005 8:53:34 PM EDT
[#31]
The problem with Asian cars is the steering wheel is on the wrong side. My two Nissans were made in Detroit and Mexico. My next toyta will be made in California. |
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Posted: 8/9/2005 9:03:51 PM EDT
[#32]
If you dont use the heater just block it off. My bros Pontiac kept busting heater cores and the second time he just had it blocked off. |
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Posted: 8/9/2005 9:05:01 PM EDT
[#33]
Oh, please. I've had the starter switch problem fail on an old Corvette I owned. It was really puzzling until I did the math after a starter replacement and had the same problem. I found it and fixed it. It seems all cars are plagued with bizzare problems that creep up in their electrical systems after 10 years of ownership; they're the worst areas for reliability on any car. |
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Posted: 8/9/2005 11:44:15 PM EDT
[#34]
Any rust under the battery on the rt. appron?
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Posted: 8/10/2005 12:02:24 AM EDT
[#35]
Teh 85mph governor on the 2000 Frontier Trucks is no selling point either. That's probably why the Salesman didn't mention it 4 years ago.
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Posted: 8/10/2005 12:05:28 AM EDT
[#36]
how else can we feed the gun and ammo addiction
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Posted: 8/10/2005 1:01:44 AM EDT
[#37]
actually no, the guy I got it from had his son give it to him, he lived in CA and really took care of it. He'd bought it his senior year of highschool in 1980. I had a complete service history on the car, along with all original documentation and everything. Best god damn 1500 bucks I ever spent. |
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Posted: 8/10/2005 1:09:44 AM EDT
[#38]
That's why I drive a real man's car. A Honda Civic...
 It even makes me sad, but I drive it out of need more then choice, once I can afford it I'll buy something else.Digital |
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Posted: 8/10/2005 1:28:15 AM EDT
[#39]
Newsflash:
Every car company has little bugs that plague them, every car company has some dogs. Some are better than others. My Nissans (4 trucks, 3 cars in 10 years) have been stellar performers, good values, and have required very little repair or maintenance. That cannot be said of my other car choices (GM & Dodge). |
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Posted: 8/10/2005 1:51:39 AM EDT
[#40]
Every new vehicle on the road should be governed at whatever is the highest speed limit in the land, currently 75 mph. |
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Posted: 8/10/2005 3:36:17 AM EDT
[#41]
A month ago I retired a '94 Sentra with 274,700 miles on it. Timing finally went.
I have nothing bad to say about 90's Nissans. Consumer Reports rates Altimas & Maximas more highly than most domestic cars. |
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Posted: 8/10/2005 3:47:11 AM EDT
[#42]
So did I 
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Posted: 8/10/2005 3:58:37 AM EDT
[#43]
clever work around!
and fwiw, my 1985 Toyota truck is still on the road, going to drive it work today as matter of fact, it doesn't have a clutch cancel switch either, I can pop the clutch on it to start the truck if need be |
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Posted: 8/10/2005 3:58:58 AM EDT
[#44]
Good job trouble shooting, though.
vmax84 |
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Posted: 8/10/2005 4:26:53 AM EDT
[#45]
No it shouldn't beak the switch as long as it's adjusted properly. Make it too long and you could possibly break it, but then you could eliminate it like I have on my Nissans. It's basically an idiot switch, if you have your handbrake on -and depress the clutch to disengage the trans and/or put it in nuetral before you crank it- then it's no problem if removed. It should be started that way whether you have the switch connected or not. Plus there's one less thing that could keep you from starting your vehicle when the switch is eliminated. I put the switch in a category similar to trigger finger safety, keep your finger off the tigger until you are ready to fire, same thing with the switch- don't start your car if it's in gear 
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Posted: 8/10/2005 4:46:13 AM EDT
[#46]
wow, i have not heard that in a while.... the shop i worked at had a rash of airbags going off while braking hard on uneven (bumpy) roads, one guys went off while braking, the guy then hit another car and then the ditch because of it, he was ok, so to me it was funny... you wanna see service bulletins look at the 98-01 pathfinders, one recall or tsb book i had was 11 pages thick, form the top shock bolts falling off and dropping the shocks to the fuel pump in the tank being faulty and sparking/fire, steering parts, and many other things |
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Posted: 8/10/2005 4:47:36 AM EDT
[#47]
My current Maxima has 215K on it. When I got it it two years ago it already had 175K. Oddly enough this is my fifth in a row -of basically the same car- and all of them went well over 150K. Nissan has known issues but I can say that about any mfg, my wifes Chevy S10 Blazer has the infamous CPI unit that I had to change twice already. Good thing she's married to a mechanic. |
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Posted: 8/10/2005 4:48:18 AM EDT
[#48]
the nissan altima is the worst car on the road, ask a nissan mechanic |
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Posted: 8/10/2005 4:52:40 AM EDT
[#49]
my next car will likely be a Maxima
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Posted: 8/10/2005 5:00:59 AM EDT
[#50]
Didn't see your post, I suggested a similar thing in my post. But honestly, some people really NEED that switch!
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