[Riley Schott]

Hey guys, hope someone can help me here.
My 2006 Xterra X automatic started having problems a few weeks ago. I would go to start the vehicle and it would act as if it was going to start (turn over) but it would quit half way through. Trying to start it after that would return no result whatsoever. Lights and electronics would turn on as normal, but nothing would happen (no clicking or sounds of any kind came from under the hood). I then realized if I pulled it out of park and put it back in park it would start right up. This happened here and there over a 3 week span until finally the pull it out and put it in trick didn't work anymore. After some research and bringing it to a trusted mechanic we believed it was the Neutral/Safety switch (or PNP switch as Nissan calls it). Unfortunately, we replaced the switch with a new one and that didn't work.

If anyone knows of this issue or has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate your input. Need to get this baby back on the road asap.

 

[Mogman]

The starter relay may be malfunctioning. It's located in the IPDM E/R (intelligent power distribution module engine room).

The system description and operation is located in the factory manual chapter SC page 8. Wiring diagram is on page 11.

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Xterra/2006_Xterra/sc.pdf

If you don't have voltage at the white relay control wire going to the starter motor (the relay on the motor) then you won't get a start. It may be intermittent.

There is also more troubleshooting info in the auto transmission chapter AT page 107
http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Xterra/2006_Xterra/at.pdf