Auto Parts: 1997 Infiniti I30 Starter, transponder key, engine fires

Question
Is there a starter fuse or relay on this vehicle and where is it? The car won't turn over, and once it sits for a few hours it starts right up with no hesistation. I don't know what is wrong with it. Brand new battery and the alternator is good. Thanks for any insite or help with my problem.

Answer
Hi Tony,

Does your ignition key have a transponder in it? If so, there is a possibility that another transponder key on your key-ring is disabling the system before the correct code can be received.

There is no starter fuse or relay. The starting system uses a solenoid to trigger the starter motor. A solenoid typically won't intermittently operate as you describe. It's also possible that your Body Control Module is having a problem. The BCM in your vehicle controls things like the 'key-roll disable'. I'm not sure if your vehicle is new enough to have that option but some Infiniti's used either a key-roll disable or a 'smart' ignition.

The KRD is a mechanics safety feature which will ONLY allow the starter to engage on the FIRST key-roll to the start position. If you roll the key to start and the vehicle fails to start, this feature disables the key from re-energizing the starter if rolled back to the start position before being turned off first.

The 'smart' ignition is similar to the KRD in that it limits the starter to ONLY the first roll of the key to the start position, but it differs with it's auto-start feature. This system doesn't require you to hold the key while the starter is turning the engine. You turn the key quickly to the start position and release it back to the ON position and a second later, the starter engages and operates until the engine fires-up.

Both of these systems are BCM controlled if your vehicle is equipped with them.

NO-START without being able to check the actual vehicle is hard.

Thanks for the question, I hope this information was helpful to you.
Fred
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