Why Won’t My Nissan Versa Start?

Versatility is the main selling point of the Nissan Versa. It is one of the few sub-compacts left in the United States that you can get your hands on.

This has been made clear simply because the model stands for Versatile Space or Versa for short.

The Nissan Versa came into the market in 2006 and had since been putting out models yearly.

Unfortunately, most of these models have had one or more issues that have prevented the car from turning on.

This is the main reason that many owners usually ask, “Why won’t my Nissan Versa start?”.

The answer to this question will vary depending on your model, but it should be due to the following reasons:

Battery Issues
Corroded Cables
Starter Issues
Ignition Problems
Fuel Problems

If you feel you are struggling with any of these issues, this article will be your one-stop guide to get all of them fixed. You should stick around till the end to get the most out of your reading.

Table of Contents

What Would Cause A Nissan Versa To Not Start?

The reason for your Nissan Versa having starting problems can be as minimal as a wiring fault or as grave as a component failure.

You should understand better once you open the car and see where the issue lies.

Generally speaking, you should have the car checked out by a mechanic to figure out the problem but if you want a more hands-on approach, here is how you start.

1: Battery Issues

In many cases, batteries often run out of juice if not charged properly.

The charging of the battery should be easily done if you drive your car often, but you will also have to maintain the battery.

Many people suffer due to having a low-charged or bad battery simply because they do not give the battery the respect it deserves.

This is quite sad, considering the battery is responsible for starting the Nissan Versa and supplying energy to all the components.

Battery problems can also be indirect as they can also have corroded terminals that can easily prevent the Nissan Versa from turning on.

While this will not be the last time I will talk about corrosion, it should be enough to give you a brief idea of how it can halt the car’s systems.

What Should You Do About It?

Clean up and get rid of any corrosion. While doing so, inspect the battery for loose or frayed wires and have them fixed. This should get your battery up and running.
If you cannot find any issues, you might want to carry out a voltage test. The test result should be over 12 volts; otherwise, your battery has an issue with its charge.
If you have a recently purchased battery or one that you know can keep working for a few years, you should get it jumpstarted.
If your battery is really old, then it might be time to get yourself a new battery and replace the old one.

2: Corroded Cables

As mentioned above, corrosion is a bad problem for the Nissan Versa as it develops in the right spot. It can completely prevent the car from starting.

Corrosion is especially common on wires and the terminals of the battery.

Since I have already discussed the battery terminals, I should lay some emphasis on the issue of corroded wires.

Getting any moisture or water into the power delivery system can easily cause the wires to corrode. This can compromise the entire system, leading to a major loss in electricity.

Cables can begin to corrode due to your lack of maintenance or leaks, which can introduce more moisture into the electric system.

This is often enough to cause massive issues that prevent the car from starting its engine.

What Should You Do About It?

Make sure to monitor the car for any sort of issues or leaks.
You should ensure that your car is operating at full capacity and that there are no dips or loss of power.
Take the car in for inspection every 3 to 4 months and check it for any corroded cables or leaks.
If you find a leak or discover a few corroded cables, you will have to get them patched up or replaced.
Take time to invest in the upkeep and maintenance of the engine since leaks are usually caused due to engine degradation.

3: Starter Issues

It is not uncommon for the Nissan Versa to face issues with its starting system, especially if you realize that most starting systems of cars are quite delicate.

Once you turn the key and the ignition system supplies power to the engine, many smaller parts must work together to get the car moving.

If even one of these parts gets damaged or worn out, then you will not be able to get the car going.

The starter motor is the most common part that tends to suffer when it comes to the starting system since it can easily get worn out over time.

Here is how you can check your starter motor for issues.

What Should You Do About It?

Inspect the starting system for any leaks which can cause issues. You will have to patch them up before you can further fix the problems.
Look for any damaged or corroded parts and have them replaced.
You will have to take out the starter motor and try to run it outside if the starting system is still not working.
If your starter motor can spin, it is not the cause of the problem. Otherwise, it is busted.
Lastly, if your starter motor is not working, you can get it fixed, but the better option would be to replace it entirely.

4: Ignition Problems

I briefly mentioned the ignition system above, but it can also suffer from many problems you will have to deal with.

You will need the ignition system to do its part if you want the starting system to engine, and if the spark plugs or the ignition column are causing any problems, then you will have to resolve them first.

Without a proper and working ignition system, your Nissan Versa will not be able to ignite the fuel, and as a result, the car’s engine will not be able to get the energy it needs to turn on.

The major issues you can have in the starting system are either the spark plugs getting worn out and needing to be replaced or the ignition column causing some problems.

What Should You Do About It?

If you are unable to spin the key or turn on the car using the ignition button, you might have issues with the ignition column.
To resolve them, you must go to a mechanic and inspect the component. Worst comes to worst; you will have to get the ignition column replaced.
If you end up getting it replaced, you should make sure not to repeat the same mistakes and insert the key slowly and carefully, avoiding any heavy keychains.
Finally, if the spark plugs cannot generate the spark they need to ignite the fuel, they are probably worn out and need to be replaced.

5: Fuel Problems

Another huge problem many can encounter in the Nissan Versa is the entire fuel system.

It is not uncommon for people not to fill their tank with fuel and suspect something is wrong with their car.

The real problem arises when you fill the tank and still are not able to start the car at all, as this is a clear sign of your fuel not reaching your car’s engine.

This could be the result of leaks or blockages which are preventing the fuel from reaching its destination.

A more serious alternative is an actual component failure, which could just as easily prevent the fuel from getting to the engine.

This can be either due to the fuel injectors or the fuel pumps.

What Should You Do About It?

If you do not have any fuel in the car, you should tow your car to the station or get fuel to the car and try to get it started.
If the car does not work, you should inspect the pipes and look for leaks.
You should also clean out the fuel filters, as they could be holding back a lot of gunk and contaminants that can block the pipes.
Make sure to visit a mechanic if you have a component failure, and get the parts either fixed or replaced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why Won’t My Nissan Versa Start With New Battery?

You may not have installed your new battery correctly or could have missed connecting a wire.

Make sure the battery is perfectly installed before you proceed with other options.

If your battery is correctly installed, you should start inspecting the rest of the electrical system for problems.

Q2. Why Won’t My Nissan Versa Start Even With A Jump?

It is quite easy to attach the wrong cable to the wrong end, which is why you should ensure that you have all the cables in their correct spot.

If everything is in order, it is possible that your battery is just dead and needs to be replaced with a new one.

Q3. Why Won’t My Nissan Versa Start But Lights Work?

This could likely be due to a bad or low-charged battery that simply needs a new jumpstart. You could also try to replace the battery with a fresh and new one.

Alternatively, your ignition column may be causing some issues which might prevent the Nissan Versa’s engine from turning on correctly but allows the lights to work.

Q4. Why Won’t My Nissan Versa Start But Cranks?

You are likely dealing with fuel issues if your car cranks but does not turn on. This might be the result of fuel blocks or leaks.

You may also have a faulty component that can prevent the fuel from reaching the engine, preventing the Nissan Versa from engaging entirely.

Q5. Why Won’t My Nissan Versa Start Just Clicks?

If you try to turn your Nissan Versa on but it just clicks, you have an issue with the electrical system.

If you are lucky, it might just be a slight problem with the battery that can be fixed with a jumpstart.

If you are unlucky, you could be dealing with a faulty component that you will have to get fixed.

Q6. Why Won’t My Nissan Versa Start In The Cold Weather?

The cold weather can be quite concerning if your car is already struggling to start. This is because it can easily reduce the battery’s performance.

It also makes it so that the car’s spark plugs do not work properly, and the engine takes some time to heat up.

Q7. Why Won’t My Nissan Versa Start After I Get Gas?

As I mentioned above, leaks, blockages, or faulty components can easily prevent the car from turning on, even if you have a good amount of fuel.

You should fix the faulty components, patch up all the leaks, and then get the fuel filters cleaned up.

Q8. Why Won’t My Nissan Versa Start But Radio Works?

The radio functions similarly to the lights. It will work with a bad battery, but the engine will not. This can be fixed with a simple jumpstart.

It could also be caused by issues with the ignition column, which will require help from a mechanic to be resolved.

Conclusion

The Nissan Versa is currently in its 3rd generation and, just like most other sub-compact cars, might be swapped out and discontinued in favor of a crossover sports utility vehicle.

This is likely the case as well, considering the slowly dropping sales of this lineup. At least you will not have to deal with issues and ask, “Why won’t my Nissan Versa start?”.

If you do end up getting any starting problems, then you know how to take the best course of action.

Tahir Azam

I am Tahir Azam, and I have been writing amazing articles for TaxiHack for as long as I can remember. I know everything that is to know when it comes to automobiles and is always on top of industry news and developments. While I am not an expert by any means, I pride myself on knowing the ins and outs of many different problems and, of course, their solutions. The articles on our website are some of the best and well-researched content that you will find, and I spend countless hours making sure this remains to be true. This is why I ask you to take your time out and read some of my articles, especially if you find a topic that resonates with you or is something you are looking into. This way, you will find the perfect mix of information and tips on your desired topic. Learn more about Tahir.