Nissan Repair: 92 Nissan Pathfinder Intermittent Starting Problem, nissan pathfinder, car person

Question
I saw that you answered a similar question in regards to a 94 Pathfinder but I'm not enough of a car person to know whether or not we've already tried what you suggested.  

This used to be the world's most reliable truck.  Now when I push in the clutch and turn the key it, the idiot lights come on and it make a little ticking noise and then nothing.  Sometimes it skips the ticky noise.  After several repeats of this process usually ending with a call to my dad (I think you need to pick me up...) it will finally start.  

One time someone told me that the problem was because my floor mat was blocking the clutch safety switch so I check that every time but that doesn't appear to be the ongoing problem.  We had a mechanic check it out and he tested the battery, the starter, the ignition, and all manner of relays.  Everything passed and the problem persisted.  We went ahead and changed the relay that the guy at Nissan said was the one they replaced the most often but it's still not starting - sometimes.  I was advised to slam the passenger door three times and do a little jig with the key but that didn't work either.

This is getting more and more frustrating because I can't reproduce the problem at will.  Any ideas?

Answer
Jennifer,

The problem is most likely the starter.  But, you can bridge the clutch switch under the dash and see if the vehicle starts consistantly.  If not it is the starter and if so replace the clutch safety switch.  Yes, it is a pain getting it to mess up while watching.  So, bridge the clutch switch and if the problem goes away you know you found it.  If the problem persists replace the starter.