Problem solved. It was the ignition keys. Had all three keys reprogrammed and everything works fine.

Greetings,

I bought the 2006 Xterra Off Road last Sunday, then had to leave for Jacksonville, FL on Monday. Got back today and the X wouldn't start. The engine turns over, quite fast I might add, but just wouldn't start. I played with the gear shift and eventually got it to start, but I'm not sure that's what helped. I drove it for a while, took it out this evening and it did the same thing.

I had read there is a switch that prevents starting if not in park or neutral. If that switch were faulty or had a loose wire, would it be possible for the engine to turn over but not start? Will this expensive to fix?

Thanks for your help.

ORhunter

I also have an 06 but mines an S, I have had a similar experience but, I think it was due to bad gas. I got horrid mileage on that tank. I dont know about the switch issue, maybe somebody more experienced can chime in here.

Thanks JPlummer.

It actually it appears it may be the ignition key. One key seems to work, one does not. I guess they have a chip in them is what I've read? Anyway, one does not seem to start it at all, while the other appears to work most of the time. I'll have Nissan make me a new key and see what happens. I'll keep you all posted.

Best,

ORhunter

HMM..... That make me wonder, because I don't have the original key for my X either. And Now I wonder if thats the deal with mine as well. I bought a key to have cut and programed but Havent yet since the dealerships I have in town told me they cant do it.
I think courtesy parts has key blanks for the X, I'm wondering if I should just get two fo those and have them made instead of a non OE brand.

So let me see it cranks but not start, is that right?, these posts should be in reverse order but it was kind of an after thought.

That is correct. The engine cranks or turns over just fine, quite fast as a matter of fact. It just doesn't fire. Doesn't even sputter. Once started it runs perfectly.

I'm almost certain it's the keys. Unfortunately I'm not sure the previous owner kept the key plate number. I'll swing by the Nissan dealer in my area and see what they can do.

ok. Definitely the key.

Just went out to start it, one key works, one does not.

Hopefully the dealership can make me a spare key even though i don't have the key number plate.

i think nissan can look it up with your vin cant they?

Guess we'll find out. The manual says Nissan does not store these numbers. I hope there's some way to figure it out as the owner says they don't have the number plate.

well that sucks! My Key works in the door great so i dont think its the cut, im willing to guess its the transponderchip

Problem solved. It was the keys. One worked, two did not. Had all three reprogrammed for $76 and everything is good.

so did you end up having to buy one from nissan?

Sort of...they reprogrammed the keys that I had. Two would not work, one would. They reprogrammed them or the vehicle (not sure how it works) but all three work now and it starts every time. It only cost me $76.00 because i didn't actually have to buy new keys.

god thats great!

Thanks for the information. I just bought my Xterra 06 a couple of days ago and have been experiencing the same thing. Got it through an auction and it only came with one key, no fobs at all. Sometimes it fires right up the first try and other times it takes 4-5 times of turning it on and off before the engine fires. Just like you said, it sounds like it is turning over really fast but not actually firing.

if you need fobs get em off ebay, i think i spent like $20 for 2