Nissan Titan Not Starting - What Could Be Wrong?

At some point, every vehicle will run into some problem, regardless of how reliable it is. One common issue with vehicles is failing to start. The Nissan Titan is no exception, and we've gone ahead and researched why your Titan may not be starting and what to do about it.

Your Nissan Titan may not start for a variety of reasons. These can range from simple fixes you can do yourself to major problems where a professional is required. The most common causes include:

Dead Battery
Empty Fuel Tank
Starter Failure
IPDM Relay Problems
Internal Vehicle Damage

These issues provide a checklist for troubleshooting your Titan's diagnosis for not-starting. Going forward in this article, we will discuss these issues in greater detail, answer some common questions about the Nissan Titan not starting up, and cover some important warranty details on Nissan Titan. We encourage you to read further to get as much information as possible.

Dead Battery

One of the most common reasons a vehicle won't start is a dead battery. If you leave your lights or electronics on without driving often, it can drain your battery. Corrosion and loose connections can also cause your battery to fail.

The first step you take should be to check your battery wires and connections for corrosion. A corroded battery will have to be replaced, as will any damaged wires. Old corrosion will look like a bubbly liquid has dried on the battery or coated your wires.

Assuming there isn't any corrosion, you can move to the next steps. If you have one available, check your battery charge with a tester. These tell you if your battery has a charge or not. If your battery has a charge, but your Titan won't start, then the problem lies elsewhere.

Click here to see a battery charge tester on Amazon.

When your battery has no charge, the easiest option is to charge it. You should always carry jumper cables in your vehicle. Either use these or a battery charging kit to charge up your battery and then try to start your vehicle.

Click here to see jumper cables on Amazon.

Empty Fuel Tank

It might be embarrassing, but it's pretty common to run out of gas accidentally. Maybe you just forgot when you got in a hurry or your fuel gauge isn't reading properly. Either way, a lack of fuel will cause your Titan not to start.

Most of the time, you can simply put gas in your tank, and your truck will start. Call AAA or a friend to bring you some if needed. If your truck continues to fail to start, fuel may not have been the issue.

Starter Failure

Over time the starter in your truck will wear down. Usually, when the starter is not working, your engine will make a loud clicking noise when you turn it over. After checking your battery and fuel tank, the starter is a great next step to finding why your engine isn't starting.

Keep in mind a damaged starter cannot be fixed and must be replaced. You can manually test your starter yourself by applying a charge to it or have it professionally inspected. In order to check your starter, you'll need to know where it is.

Where is the Starter On a Nissan Titan?

Nissan Titans from 2004 to 2015 have their starter located underneath the intake manifold in the engine compartment. Its location makes checking and replacing it more difficult than on other vehicles, so it may be a good idea to have a professional check it out. For those interested in doing this yourself but not sure how to, check out this YouTube tutorial for how to get to your starter.

IPDM Relay Problems

What is IPDM relay?

IPDM is a Nissan acronym which stands for intelligent power distribution module. The IPDM relay combines the relay box and fuse box. Overall, it controls most electrical components in the vehicle through circuits, allowing for a simpler diagnosis when problems arise.

Because the IPDM relay controls the ON and OFF functions of electrical circuits, failure in this relay can cause your engine not to start. If you've got a good battery and your starter is in good shape, then this could be your issue. While there are identifiable symptoms of IPDM failure, it seems as though they resemble others.

Symptoms of IPDM failure include sputtering, dying after starting, dying but starting up normally later, and rough idling. Some of these are also common symptoms of other issues, so it is important to check through all possible issues thoroughly. If your IPDM relay is the cause of your truck not starting, it may need to be replaced. Regardless of this, however, a professional will need to do this work.

Internal Vehicle Damage

Several things can cause internal damage to your vehicle. Normal wear and tear can cause parts to wear down or break. Sometimes animals will climb inside your engine compartment and chew on wires. If you run over road hazards, pieces can fly up and damage parts in your vehicle. Even normal driving causes vibrations, which can loosen connections for systems in the vehicle.

A loose connection is the easiest fix. Simply tightening the connection should restore function. However, in most actual internal damage cases, your only option may be towing your truck to a mechanic. This includes damaged wires and parts. You'll need to have these parts replaced ASAP. Call AAA in this case, as they can often offer towing assistance and even replace some parts on the spot.

Not Any of these Problems?

If all else fails, take your truck to a professional mechanic or your dealer. While most of the above issues can be diagnosed and fixed by yourself, not every case can be handled this way. Overheating your engine can lead to melting pistons or other parts that you cannot identify independently. If you have checked through this list and found you can't identify the problem or it is none of these issues, you should consult a trusted mechanic.

Nissan Titan Warranty

Nissan offers possibly the best warranty for pickups on the market. Keep in mind that regular maintenance and normal wear and tear is not covered in any of these warranties. For information regarding the cost of a new Nissan Titan and other trucks, check out our article "How Much Does A New Pickup Truck Cost?."

Bumper to Bumper

Nissan offers a bumper to bumper warranty for five years or 100,000 miles on all pickups. This includes all manufacturer parts, from the electrical systems to the doors. While this sounds great (and it is), this only covers part defects and failures, not normal wear and tear. So keep that in mind when pursuing repairs.

Powertrain

The powertrain warranty matches the bumper to bumper in that it lasts for five years or 100,000 miles. However, unlike the former, the powertrain warranty focuses specifically on the drivetrain, engine, transmission, and restraint system. This includes quite a few parts that could cause your truck not to start.

Corrosion

Nissan also throws in a warranty against corrosion of parts for the first five years after purchase with an unlimited mile maximum. This one is less complicated and basically covers any rust development in the vehicle panels for the first five years after purchase.

Roadside Assistance

Titan owners have access to 24/7 roadside assistance provided by Nissan should your truck break down. They cover towing your truck to the nearest dealer for repairs and, depending on the distance from home, can even cover some travel costs. Included in this is a concierge service for hotel reservations and location services to find dealers, gas stations, and other places.