For the past 2 weeks, when I try to start my 2003 Nissan Xterra, it seems sluggish, but the engine will turn over. On 2 separate occasions, when attempting to start the engine, it wouldn't turn over - the 1st two attempts would not turn the engine over but on the 3rd try, the engine started. The battery is 1 year old, I have checked the battery cables, cleaned the posts and now it won't turn over at all....any suggestions?

Hi Slim Jim,Here's a link to a pic where your oxygen sensor is. 2000 2004 Nissan Xterra Oxygen Sensor O2 Sensor Location V6 Engine Here's another link to some new oxygen sensors.Get the exact fit ones. Oxygen Sensor

while the voltage on the battery may be perfect with a multimeter on a still test , what is the battery voltage when trying to crank the engine. If the voltage drops to below 10 volts you have a battery problem. All headlights dim while cranking and the flatter the battery the greater the dim of the lights. It is bad practice to have the lights on while trying to crank the engine as the current draw for the lights takes power away from the ECM and ignition system

i assume that "power seemed normal" means that you can get engine to turn over, but not start.

possible problems: clogged fuel filter, bad fuel pump, water or other impurities in gasoline, foreign matter in gas tank, faulty "electronic distributor", possible blockage of adequate air supply, broken timing chain.

if i were to have to guess, it would be the timing chain, especially if car was running well prior to this problem.

try taking it out, and then put it back in.

p0217 is coolant over temperature. the fan clutch may be slipping or the thermostat is bad. changing the thermostat would probably be the easiest and most inexpensive fix to determine the problem.

Hi Code P 0217 does point to the thermostat but it also points to the wiring, cooling system, and the temperature sensor, to check the thermostat start engine then once the temperature gauge in the car reaches normal the thermostat should open and the top hose that goes into the radiator will warm up quickly as the thermostat opens, if the thermostat is stuck in it's open position the top hose will start warming up before the engine reaches it's working temperature, hopefully i have explained it clearly,

If it's the water pump there should be water leaking, if it's the steering pump the noise  would change as you turn the steering wheel left to right. If it's constant, it could be just old belt and bad idler and tension pully. Start buy praying a little water to the belt while the engine is running and if the noise goes away, the belt is in time to be chaged. If the noise is still there, then most likly it's the ilder bering or tension bearing. Good luck

sounds like the starter, you can try tapping it with an insulated tool 2-5 times before you try starting it

starter possibly going bad