[alicia72]

Hi all, I’ve found a very strange issue with my 2019 Armada. After installing an Impulse brake controller, seemingly randomly the car won’t start. When this happens, there is absolutely no power going to the car whatsoever — no lights, no clicking, nothing — then randomly, after a few minutes to hours, it starts again. When I was able to drive it to get the battery tested, they said everything on the battery and alternator is good but that I’m getting slightly low voltage to the starter. The weirdest part to me is that it seemingly recharges itself without a jump (although a jump expedites this) and will eventually restart again. The only thing plugged into the Armada is the brake controller. This happens even when the trailer isn’t connected. Are there any common culprits? Anything I can do to troubleshoot? Thanks!

 

[RandyG]

Hi all, I’ve found a very strange issue with my 2019 Armada. After installing an Impulse break controller, seemingly randomly the car won’t start. When this happens, there is absolutely no power going to the car whatsoever — no lights, no clicking, nothing — then randomly, after a few minutes to hours, it starts again. When I was able to drive it to get the battery tested, they said everything on the battery and alternator is good but that I’m getting slightly low voltage to the starter. The weirdest part to me is that it seemingly recharges itself without a jump (although a jump expedites this) and will eventually restart again. The only thing plugged into the Armada is the brake controller. This happens even when the trailer isn’t connected. Are there any common culprits? Anything I can do to troubleshoot? Thanks!

Hi Alicia,

This seems to be a common issue with Armada's.
I replaced the brake sensor which is a very inexpensive and DIY fix.
There is a YouTube video on how to do this. I did this about 8 months ago and have had no issues until now.
So now I'm wondering if its something else is going on, that's why I'm on the forums searching for other possibilities.
My battery and charging system have been checked out as good .
Sometimes when this occurs you simply wait anywhere between 30-45 minutes then the car will start up.
Please be aware of mechanics wanting to replace the starter and or battery if they check out good.
Auto Zone/Walmart will check out your system for free.
I have also seen a YouTube video with this type of problem where the IPDM (Fuse Box) is replaced for this type of problem. This of course is an expensive fix so I'm not going to invest until I'm sure this is the cause of these starting issues.
For now I have bought a very strong Jump Starter that I keep in the vehicle in case this happens while I'm out on the road. Amazon sells the Yesper YJS40 1450Amp starter for about $100.

I wish this information helps you out somewhat. If you find a better solution please advise me ASAP.

Kind Regards,
Randy

 

[alicia72]

Hi Alicia,

This seems to be a common issue with Armada's.
I replaced the brake sensor which is a very inexpensive and DIY fix.
There is a YouTube video on how to do this. I did this about 8 months ago and have had no issues until now.
So now I'm wondering if its something else is going on, that's why I'm on the forums searching for other possibilities.
My battery and charging system have been checked out as good .
Sometimes when this occurs you simply wait anywhere between 30-45 minutes then the car will start up.
Please be aware of mechanics wanting to replace the starter and or battery if they check out good.
Auto Zone/Walmart will check out your system for free.
I have also seen a YouTube video with this type of problem where the IPDM (Fuse Box) is replaced for this type of problem. This of course is an expensive fix so I'm not going to invest until I'm sure this is the cause of these starting issues.
For now I have bought a very strong Jump Starter that I keep in the vehicle in case this happens while I'm out on the road. Amazon sells the Yesper YJS40 1450Amp starter for about $100.

I wish this information helps you out somewhat. If you find a better solution please advise me ASAP.

Kind Regards,
Randy

Hey Randy, thanks for your reply. I’ll do some more research on that brake sensor, but I think it might be a different problem. From what I’ve read, most people at least get their display to light up telling them to push break + button to start. I don’t even get that — I have no dash lights, interior lights, can’t even unlock the car from the fob. Do you see the display on yours, or is it total death like mine? If it helps you I saw some others saying to really stomp the brake in when trying to start in case you do see the display.

 

[Wakebardsam]

I can relate... 2012 SV

I hope you have found a fix by now. If not I'll lend what experience I have to you. Resorted to keeping a jump pack in the vehicle, Amazing the punch these lipo packs punch these days, got ours from Costco for ~$70 on sale.

(ultimately replaced the battery, still under Costco warranty, haven't had any symptoms since!)


Symptoms: (seemingly random, since it's reported to me from the wife who's daily driving it)


-Dash flickers- normal looking dead battery symptoms when attempting to start, just clicking from starter.


-When doors left unlocked through night in garage, put key in to start and absolutely no response from starter but all else functions normally (realized after a month that it was "disabling itself" and the symbol "car with a key over the top of it" was flashing and she didn't think anything about looking at the dash when it's not starting. Pressing lock and un lock from fob fixes the disarmed state and starts normally.


-change settings in vehicle, radio fade or station. Drive somewhere. Exit for a bit, get back in and radio resumes to previously used station from first initial outing not most recently used station and settings.


-sometimes the door left open in garage over night would kill battery, sometimes door left open while vacuuming in the garage would drain battery. But not everytime. It was a real struggle to tease out what was happening to the point I spent 2 hours going through the fuse box looking for fantom/vampire /parasitic draw and found nothing amiss. Didn't think it could be a bad battery as it was less than 2y old. I've warrantied two batteries from Costco in the last year(one on armada and a different vehicle). Not sure what's up? Bad luck?


Replaced battery and haven't had these issues since. Neither of you stated you've replaced the battery... I write this on hopes that someone will read this and just replace the battery that tests OK. (because mine tested OK too)!

 

[RandyG]

I can relate... 2012 SV

I hope you have found a fix by now. If not I'll lend what experience I have to you. Resorted to keeping a jump pack in the vehicle, Amazing the punch these lipo packs punch these days, got ours from Costco for ~$70 on sale.

(ultimately replaced the battery, still under Costco warranty, haven't had any symptoms since!)


Symptoms: (seemingly random, since it's reported to me from the wife who's daily driving it)


-Dash flickers- normal looking dead battery symptoms when attempting to start, just clicking from starter.


-When doors left unlocked through night in garage, put key in to start and absolutely no response from starter but all else functions normally (realized after a month that it was "disabling itself" and the symbol "car with a key over the top of it" was flashing and she didn't think anything about looking at the dash when it's not starting. Pressing lock and un lock from fob fixes the disarmed state and starts normally.


-change settings in vehicle, radio fade or station. Drive somewhere. Exit for a bit, get back in and radio resumes to previously used station from first initial outing not most recently used station and settings.


-sometimes the door left open in garage over night would kill battery, sometimes door left open while vacuuming in the garage would drain battery. But not everytime. It was a real struggle to tease out what was happening to the point I spent 2 hours going through the fuse box looking for fantom/vampire /parasitic draw and found nothing amiss. Didn't think it could be a bad battery as it was less than 2y old. I've warrantied two batteries from Costco in the last year(one on armada and a different vehicle). Not sure what's up? Bad luck?


Replaced battery and haven't had these issues since. Neither of you stated you've replaced the battery... I write this on hopes that someone will read this and just replace the battery that tests OK. (because mine tested OK too)!

Hi,
I have not replaced the battery as it has checked out good from 2 different sources.
This seems to be a random issue, still cannot figure out what triggers the no start problem.

I too have bought a 4100 amp starter, have had to use it once already.
I also do a 2amp slow charge overnight when vehicle has not been used in a few days to keep the battery at 100%.

Thank you for the advise, keep us posted if you happen to figure out whats causing this problem.

I think Nissan should have a recall as I'm sure they know what the defect is.
Reading these forums it appears folks are spending all kinds of money replacing parts on the misdiagnosis by Nissan dealers and still not solving this issue.