[liveforsomething]

I have been having problems with my 2002 Nissan Xterra. About a week ago I came home and turned it off. The next morning I went out and turned the key and got nothing. All of the electronics flickered on then off. I tried jumping the battery thinking that was the problem and nothing. The battery is only about a year old and my second in about 2 years. I was getting a clicking noise from underneath the dash. I have been extremely busy so I haven't had the time to further address the issue.

Today, I was walking past my xterra and heard a clicking noise coming from my engine. I opened the engine and found out the clicking noise was coming from my fuse box. I removed the Hlight fuse and the horn fuse and this stopped the clicking from the engine.

However, when I opened the door to the cabin I noticed that the cabin was still clicking. I checked the fuse box but that wasn't the culprit. I traced it to a white box underneath the dash. I believe it might be the relay box but I'm not sure. I removed what I believe to be the power from the relay box and this stopped the clicking.

Just some further information: after having the xterra for about a month my cruise control would sometimes work and sometimes not. It has now completely stopped working.
1 year ago, I had a similar issue and thought that it was my starter. I replaced the starter and battery and it seemed to fix the problem.

I am stumped on what to do. I am trying to avoid towing it to a dealer. Has anyone had a similar problem or have any ideas on how to fix the problem? I am thinking that maybe the relay box is bad since my battery is good and I just don't seem to be getting power to the cabin. Thanks for yalls help.

 

[dejablue]

bad connection on one or both battery terminals.now the battery is dead.

 

[soccerbrace]

bad connection on one or both battery terminals.now the battery is dead.

x2 I am 99% sure that this is the problem. What you need are new battery clamps on the terminals.

Dejablue, rep points for you.

 

[liveforsomething]

Ok. I will go and buy some new clamps for the battery. I have already replaced one. I will go ahead and buy some new ones and replace both. I'll let yall know when I replace them. Thanks Dejablue and Soccerbrace!

 

[HolidayNation]

I also had a similar problem, and it was the battery cable to the alternator had shorted (came loose) at the alternator side. Easy fix. As for cruise control not working after intermitent? Automatic? have you noticed any slipping? Just went through this with our honda, and the cruise control was the first sign that our tranny was cacking. Could be simple like a sensor? no codes i take it?

 

[soccerbrace]

Be sure to get some good ones, think brass, or heavy heavy duty. Nothing flimsy.

 

[dejablue]

thanks james!

 

[dmcc]

along with the new clamps make sure the wires at the clamp are not corroded, can get corrosion/ oxidation working down thru the individual strands of wire maybe up to an 1" or so from the part where it is in the clamp. You might have to cut back the cable until you get good clean copper, or buy another wire.

 

[BrushWorks]

I noticed the same ticking noise underneath the dash inside my cabin as well. My battery is all of 6mos old and the alternator is brand new (1 mos). So the ticking is a result of bad cables?

I put a battery charger on the battery and it takes a full charge. I didn't notice any corrosion on the terminals and I coat them with dialectic grease to prevent corrosion.

So the cables go bad over time?

I usually buy locally from either Advance Auto Parts or Pep Boys.

 

[BrushWorks]

Well, I recharged the battery, attempted to start the X, and nothing. No lights, no cranks. Just that ticking noise.

So I took off the Relay Box Cover. I was dark out so I didn't get far. But I pushed on them, made sure they were in place and which ones I was going to swap out.

Came out to the X this morning to poke around some more. Checked the terminals, cables. All was clean, and tight.

Just for kicks I went to start the car. IT FREAKING STARTED. I couldn't believe it.

**Back to Last Week: The only thing I could think of was that I drained the battery last Wed night. I must have left an interior light on. I was able to jump the X to get to work Thurs morn, but the drive wasn't enough to charge the battery. Left work Thurs night and the car wouldn't start. No dome lights, dash lights, crank, nothing. Luckily I had my portable charger with me.

I asked for ideas on potential problem... suggestions were starter solenoid, battery, terminal cables, alternator wires, ignition relay (because of the clicking), PNP relay.

Whatever the problem was, I'm glad to get it back on the road again. If it happens again, I might think it's the battery. I'll bring it to Advance Auto to test it for me just to make sure. It's a Walmart brand battery, but I spent close to $100 on it. Maybe next I'll splurge for the Optima.

 

[Roadstar1600]

See my post a couple above yours....pretty sure its going to strand you again. I know its not my battery as its 3 months old. I'm going to look at battery cables and ground cable again

?????

 

[BrushWorks]

I figured out it was my NEG batt cable. I'm not sure if there was corrosion or it was loose. But I cleaned the terminals and tightened it down. No problems now.