Thread: Starting Problem

I want to ask for advise on a problem I just started having. I got a 1997 200SX SE-R just a couple weeks ago. It didn't come with a remote or keyless entry but it has the factory alarm with the two key fobs and the red blinking light on the dash. Starting about two days ago sometimes I will put the key into the ignition and it starts just fine but other times I put the key into the ignition and all the lights go on across the bottom of the dash and I think I hear a click from underneath the dash but no power goes to the starter at all. Sorry if this is a newbie question but I'm worried that this problem is going to leave me stranded soon and my wife is going to question the wisdom of buying an SE-R Thanks in advance!

Sounds like the factory alarm isn't working as it should. If I were you, I'd just disable the factory alarm for the time being, and see if the problem is re-produced. If it is, start looking around places such as the neutral safety switch, etc.

Could someone explain how to disable the factory alarm?

IIRC, you pull the relay out after you've disarmed the alarm. That's the easy way to do it.

When your turn the key does it click? If so your starter is shot.
When your alarm prevents your car from starting NOTHING happens.. NO click no nothing.
Oh, and the Horn alarm will be going off.

Happy New Year!
When this starting problem happens sometimes I believe I hear a 'click' coming from right under the dash. Then I wait a minute and maybe try my other key and everything starts fine. The engine turns over quickly and starts right up. It doesn't feel like a starter problem to me but I'm not sure. From reading elsewhere there could be 3 relays involved with the factory alarm and one of them is supposed to cut power to the starter. The red light quits blinking and the alarm appears disabled when I open the driver's side door but I'm not sure that the alarm isn't stopping power from reaching the starter solenoid. I had to work today even though it New Years so I haven't had the time to look into it further yet. Tomorrow morning I'll see if I can find out more.

Maybe I'm over-analyzing this. How about I turn on the headlights and try to start the car. If the headlights dim, then it probably is the starter or starter solenoid right?

On this car there is a box of relays under the hood on the passenger side that contains three numbered alarm relays. From what I've gathered relay #1 connects to the horn, relay #2 connects to the headlights, and relay #3 connects to the starting circuit. I would guess the alarm requires sending the 'start' signal from the ignition switch through this relay. That's probably a good thing to keep bad guys from driving away with our cars, but what if that relay or it's inputs go bad.. :

Being just a grasshopper, I looked for a manual on e-bay. I scored an official 1997 Nissan shop manual for around $25. With any luck it will arrive soon and can be of help to myself and others

Dude, if you want the FSM, you should have asked.

Phatg20.net has FSM's for download.

My girls car was doing this.. I would turn the key and I would hear this "click" I thought it was the batt but it's was a new bat..
Remove the started and BAM no more problems.
I can't say this will be the same problem with your car but keep us in the loop.