OMG!!! It won't start AGAIN!!!!

[40-Dan]

See my previous thread titled "My Titan just stranded me"

I got it back from the dealership this afternoon. According to them, the tech had ZERO trouble starting it this morning, but the computer had recorded an error, so they "reprogrammed" the keys.

I started it at the dealer, restarted ONCE at the grocery store on the way home. I just went outside to play w/ my iPod installation and GUESS WHAT!!!! SAME F-ING PROBLEM AS YESTERDAY!!!!!!

I'm so mad right now, I don't know what to do. This is besides that fact that I was already headed back to the dealer tomorrow to speak w/ the Service Mgr or GM about the DENT in my rear bumper that was NOT there when I had to have it towed yesterday.

For the record, after pickup from the dealer today, there were NEVER any items on the keychain except the key and the fob. No SpeedPass, no other vehicle keys, no thumbdrive, NOTHING!

Has ANYONE else experienced or heard of this happening? I am now VERY paranoid about taking this truck ANYWHERE. At least now, I'm at home. I can't bear the thought of a Ford or Dodge owner laughing at me loading on a flatbed YET AGAIN because it decided to strand me somewhere. I'm at my wits end.

Dan

[Half Shovel]

Holy crap man,

I feel really bad for you. This sounds like one of those problems that is almost impossible to find and leaves you with a vehicle you can't trust. This is 2 times. One more and I'd go LEMON all the way!

Hope you can get this resolved somehow without it, because a lemon law deal would mean you get stranded AGAIN.

Grrrr.

HS

[Slurppie]

Have you tried the Valet key? Maybe a problem with the ignition itself and not the security?

[purmscl]

I had a 94 Nissan Pathfinder that had a similar problem. I always attributed it to a bad starter, I was on my third one after two years and 50000 miles. Near the end I figured it to be in the ignition system somewhere, but I never did track it down. Luckily it wasn't giving me problems the day I traded it. One of these two things would always get me started. Sometimes I would lay a screwdriver across the contacts on my starter. This makes it spin without energizing the solenoid that throws it into the flywheel. If I had someone else with me, I would do this while they turned the key to start. With the two person route, she never failed to start first time. Later, I figured out that if I just kept turning the key rapid fire from on to start and back, that it would eventually work. When using this method it sometimes took me up to 20 trys. This sounds similar to your problem, since it would usually start first try when cold, and had the problem much less in the winter.(your dealer couldn't reproduce) Hope this helps out.

[40-Dan]

Half Shovel - the really sh*tty thing is, I bought this vehicle used, therefore the lemon law will not work for me.

Slurppie - yeah. tried the valet key, too.

purmscl - tonite, the problem has manifested itself on the "first try" while cold. It had been 2 or 3 hours sitting in the driveway.

thanks guys
Dan

[40-Dan]

I'm thinking I've got some serious kind of electrical problem that may be causing, or at least related to the "no-start" issue.

While trying to follow the instructions in the owner's manual for resetting a faulty NVIS, I've noticed that my headlights come on while the key is in the ON position. They are NOT set to AUTO, the switch is set to OFF. Futhermore, the lights WILL NOT come on with the key in any other position. I've never owned a vehicle who's lights would not come on at ANY time the headlight switch was pulled, key or no key.

Again, I just don't know what to think. I've never bought a used vehicle before. All indications were that this one was cherry. The former owner was a fellow board member. The VAST MAJORITY of his posts dealt with vehicle care issues. I mean, this guy was probably the most anal person I've ever met when it comes to his vehicles. I have ALL service records and access to a website documenting ALL dealer service (so I know that no problems were "hidden"). I had the normal servicing dealer (they also sold the truck new) check it out prior to purchase. They are the ones who diagnosed the brake problem requiring the revised TSB that I had not even noticed during EXTENSIVE test driving.

The whole thing just makes me sick to my stomach. Admittedly, I'm not having any problems at all compared to Deepwater (my sympathies, dude), but at least he enjoys protection under the lemon law. I could just be

Dan

[Slurppie]

Do you have the Service manual to work off of while trying to troubleshoot the problem on your own? Does the security indicator continue to blink even after the ignition is switched to the "on" position?

[40-Dan]

Originally Posted by Slurppie

Do you have the Service manual to work off of while trying to troubleshoot the problem on your own? Does the security indicator continue to blink even after the ignition is switched to the "on" position?

No service manual, but I've been thinking of downloading it. This might be a good excuse.

When the ignition is turned to ON, the security indicator glows steady. According to the owner's manual, this behavior indicates a problem w/ the NVIS.

Dan

[Slurppie]

Dan, check your PM. I wonder if there is a fault with the BCM.

[40-Dan]

Just got back from the dealership in my loaner car. Damn thing started for them this time, too, but they have diagnosed it as an electrical problem - probably a faulty ground somewhere. Who knows how long it will take to find.

Good news is, they're giving me a new bumper to replace the one they dented last time.

Dan

[KTMKEV]

Read this thread its worth a try Truck=No Start
Kevin

[rfrench102]

I've said it before, so I'll say it again... "You have to blow into the tube BEFORE trying to start the truck"

[40-Dan]

LOL, rfrench. Actually, I didn't begin drinking last nite until AFTER it wouldn't start!

Dan