Yours Nissan Terrano refuses to start, but warning lights are on on the dashboard? This problem is familiar to many owners as Terrano R51 (2014–2020) and earlier versions R20 (2005–2014). The reasons may lie in anything: from a dead battery to serious engine or electronic malfunctions. In this article we will look at all possible scenarioswhy the car does not respond to the ignition key, and we will give specific instructions for diagnosing and troubleshooting.

Feature Terrano — its dependence on electronics and sensitivity to fuel quality. For example, on models with engine MR20DD (2.0 l) a common problem is the failure of the crankshaft sensor after refueling with low-quality gasoline. And in diesel versions (K9K) the culprit may be a clogged fuel filter or faulty glow plugs. Don’t rush to take your car on a tow truck - in 70% of cases the problem can be solved on your own with a minimum set of tools.

1. Checking the battery: the first reason why it won’t start Nissan Terrano

The most banal, but also the most common reason is discharged or faulty battery. On Terrano this manifests itself in different ways:

  • 🔋 When you turn the key, you can hear the relay clicks, but the starter does not turn.
  • 🚗 The indicators on the dashboard are dim or there is no reaction at all.
  • 🔧 The starter barely cranks the engine, but the motor does not “grab.”

How to check a battery without a tester? Turn on the headlights: if they glow dimly or go out when you try to start the car, the battery is low. On Terrano R51 with the system Intelligent Key a discharged battery can block the immobilizer, and the car will not even respond to the key.

💡

If after "lighting" Terrano started, but a day later it won’t start again - check the generator. On these models, the diode bridge often fails (error code P0562).

What to do:

  1. Try to “light” from another car (plus to plus, minus to minus, then minus the donor to ground Terrano).
  2. If the car starts up, immediately go for diagnostics of the battery and generator.
  3. On diesel Terrano After a deep discharge, the calibration of the fuel equipment may be lost - the scanner will need to reset the errors.
📊 How often do you check the battery charge in your Nissan Terrano?
  • Once a month
  • Only when problems arise
  • Never
  • I trust the on-board computer

2. Problems with the starter: why does it click but not turn?

If you hear when you turn the key single clicks or series of quick clicks, but the starter does not rotate - either it itself or the solenoid relay is to blame. On Nissan Terrano starters often fail after 100–150 thousand km due to:

  • 🔥 Burning of contacts in the solenoid relay (especially if the car often starts “cold”).
  • 🛠 Bendix wear - the gear does not mesh with the flywheel.
  • 💧 Moisture getting into the mechanism (relevant for off-road versions Terrano after crossing the fords).

How to check the starter without removing it? Try lightly tapping its body with a hammer (don’t overdo it!) - sometimes this helps to “revive” burnt contacts. If the car starts after this, the starter needs to be removed and cleaned or replaced.

Try starting with a pushrod (only for manual transmission)|

Check the voltage at the starter terminals when turning the key|

Tap the starter housing (gently!)|

Test the solenoid relay with a multimeter

-->

On Terrano R51 with automatic transmission (Jatco RE0F10A) the starter may not operate due to a malfunction trigger inhibitor (blocker on the automatic transmission selector). Check if the indicator is on P on the panel - if not, the problem is in the limit switch.

3. Problems with the fuel system: why Terrano won't start, but starter turns

If the starter vigorously turns the engine, but the engine does not “catch”, the fuel system is to blame. On Nissan Terrano it could be:

Reason Symptoms Solution
Clogged fuel filter The engine "sneezes" but does not start. On a diesel engine it may stall after 1-2 seconds. Replacing the filter (on K9K - every 30 thousand km).
Faulty fuel pump When you turn on the ignition, you cannot hear the buzzing of the pump in the tank. Checking the fuse F30 (15A), pump relay, pump replacement.
Air in the fuel line (diesel) The engine stalls after starting or does not start “hot”. Bleeding the system, checking seals.
Faulty injectors The engine runs rough, smokes, and does not start when cold. Diagnostics on the bench, washing or replacement.

On petrol Terrano with engine MR20DD common problem - crankshaft position sensor failure (CKP). At the same time, the starter turns, but the engine does not start, and the dashboard lights up Check Engine. Error code - P0335 or P0340.

How to bleed the fuel system on a diesel Terrano?

1. Unscrew the return line to the injection pump (high pressure fuel pump).

2. Pump fuel with a hand pump (located under the hood on the right) until clean fuel without bubbles comes out of the return line.

3. Tighten the return line and try to start the engine.

If the car starts and immediately stalls, check immobilizer. On Terrano R51 it can block the fuel supply if there is a system failure NAT (error code U1000).

4. Problems with electronics and immobilizer

Modern Nissan Terrano are stuffed with electronics, and failures in them can completely paralyze the car. Common problems:

  • 🔑 The immobilizer does not recognize the key (the indicator flashes SECURITY).
  • 📶 Failure in the engine control unit (ECU) - often after “lighting up” or disconnecting the battery.
  • 🔌 Oxidation of contacts in connectors ECU or wiring harnesses (especially after washing the engine).

How to diagnose:

  1. Try the second key - if the car starts, the problem is in the chip of the first one.
  2. Check fuses F19 (10A) and F20 (10A) - they are responsible for the immobilizer.
  3. Clear errors with the scanner (for example, ELM327) - sometimes helps with “glitches” ECU.
💡

If after disconnecting the battery Terrano won’t start - you need to retrain the keys and reset the throttle adaptations (procedure Throttle Valve Closed Position Learning).

On Terrano R51 with the system Start/Stop The car may not start due to a faulty neutral sensor on automatic transmission. In this case, the panel will light up P flashing light.

5. Problems with the engine: why it won’t start “hot” or “cold”

If the car does not start under certain conditions (for example, only after warming up or only in the morning), mechanical faults are to blame:

Doesn't start when cold:

  • ❄️ On diesel - faulty glow plugs (check the resistance, it should be 0.5–6 ohms).
  • 🛢 Thickened oil in the engine (relevant for regions with frosts below -20°C).
  • 🔥 Defective coolant temperature sensor (ECT).

Doesn't start hot:

  • 🔥 Fuel pump overheating (on gasoline MR20DD).
  • 💨 Air leaks through cracks in the manifold or gaskets.
  • 🛑 Occurrence of piston rings (smoke from the exhaust is blue or white).

On Terrano with engine K9K (diesel 1.5) common problem - turbine jamming. In this case, the car can start, but immediately stalls with a cloud of black smoke. Check the turbine shaft play - if there is any, replacement is required.

6. Diagnostics by sounds: what do clicks, grinding and other noises mean?

By the sounds the car makes when trying to start, you can pinpoint the problem:

Sound Probable Cause What to do
Single click Defective starter solenoid relay. Knock on the starter or replace the relay.
Grinding noise on startup Worn flywheel ring or starter bendix. Replacing the starter or flywheel.
Whistle under the hood The alternator or timing belt is slipping. Checking belt tension.
The engine catches, but does not start There is no spark or fuel is not entering the cylinders. Checking spark plugs, coils, fuel pump.

If you hear it at startup metallic clang - it could be broken crankshaft pulley damper (relevant for MR20DD). In this case, the car cannot be started with a pusher - this will lead to engine destruction.

7. What to do if Nissan Terrano won't start after refueling

If the car stops starting immediately after refueling, the fuel is to blame. On Terrano it shows up like this:

  • 🛢 The engine starts and immediately stalls (especially on a diesel engine).
  • 🔥 The panel is lit Check Engine with code P0171 or P0174 (lean mixture).
  • 💨 White smoke comes out of the exhaust (there is water in the fuel).

What to do:

  1. Drain the bad fuel (you can pump it out through the fuel rail or remove the tank).
  2. Fill in high-quality gasoline/diesel + additive to clean the system (for example, Liqui Moly Diesel Spulung).
  3. On a diesel engine, bleed the fuel system (see spoiler above).
  4. If the engine has already “swallowed” bad fuel, replace the fuel filter and spark plugs.
💡

On Terrano R51 with the system Direct Injection (direct injection) bad fuel can damage the injectors in one fill-up. The cost of repairs is from 50 thousand rubles.

8. When to call a tow truck: signs of serious problems

Some breakdowns cannot be repaired on the spot - in these cases it is better to call a tow truck so as not to aggravate the problem:

  • 🚨 Broken timing belt (the engine does not start, but the starter turns very easily). On MR20DD This is guaranteed to bend the valve.
  • 🔥 Cylinder head gasket failure (white smoke from the exhaust, oil in antifreeze or vice versa).
  • ⚡ Short circuit in the on-board network (smoke from under the panel, smell of burning plastic).
  • 🛑 Jammed engine (the starter cannot crank the crankshaft).

If you are not sure of the cause of the breakdown, but the car has not started for several hours, do not try to start it until the end. Each unsuccessful start can cost you expensive repairs. For example, on Terrano with variator (Jatco JF016E) frequent attempts to start with a discharged battery can damage the electronic control unit of the box.

💡

Before calling a tow truck, take a photo of the instrument panel with the lights on - this will help mechanics quickly identify the problem.

⚠️ Attention! If on Nissan Terrano with diesel engine K9K after unsuccessful starting attempts, white smoke comes out of the exhaust - stop trying immediately! This is a sign of antifreeze getting into the cylinders (the cylinder head gasket is broken or there is a crack in the block). Further launch will result in water hammer.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about malfunctions Nissan Terrano

Is it possible to start Terrano from the pushrod if the starter does not work?

You can, but only if you have manual transmission. On an automatic or variator, this will lead to transmission failure. It is also not recommended to push start diesel versions - this can damage the timing belt.

Why Terrano won't start after washing the engine?

Most likely, water got into the sensor connectors or the control unit (ECU). Check:

  • Connector crankshaft sensor (located next to the pulley).
  • Connector camshaft position sensor.
  • Fuses F22 And F23 (responsible for the ignition system).

Dry the connectors with a hairdryer or leave the car with the hood open in the sun for 2-3 hours.

What voltage should the battery be? Terrano for normal startup?

Minimum voltage to start:

  • Gasoline engines (MR20DD, HR16DE): not lower 11.8 V.
  • Diesel engines (K9K): not lower 12.2 V (due to high compression).

If the voltage is lower, the battery needs to be charged or replaced. On Terrano R51 with the system Start/Stop It is recommended to use a battery with a capacity of at least 70 Ah.

Why Terrano Does it start and then stall immediately?

There are several reasons:

  1. Idle speed controller faulty (on MR20DD often clogged with dirt).
  2. Air leak through cracks in the manifold or gaskets.
  3. The mass air flow sensor is faulty (MAF).
  4. Clogged catalyst (the panel may light up Check Engine with code P0420).

On diesel versions, a common reason is faulty valve EGR (error code P0400).

How to reset errors on Nissan Terrano without a scanner?

On most versions Terrano You can reset errors manually:

  1. Turn off the ignition.
  2. Press and hold the daily mileage reset button (on the instrument panel).
  3. Turn the key to position ON (don't start the car!).
  4. Hold the button for 10 seconds until all indicators go off.

This method works to reset non-critical errors (for example, by an oxygen sensor). To reset immobilizer errors or ECU you will need a scanner.