Symptoms
Clicking relays, a starter that barely turns the engine, or a truck that needs several key cycles to start.
The fix, step by step
- Forum diagnosis: clean and tighten every battery terminal, the starter connections and the body earth.
- Measure battery voltage while cranking; below 10 V means the battery is finished.
- Feel the heavy cables after a start attempt, since heat shows the bad connection.
- Owners say the SD33 needs a strong battery to turn over.
- On 24-volt MQs, both batteries must be healthy and matched, and the starter, injection-pump solenoid and glow plugs are 24-volt parts.
Tools & part numbers
- Multimeter
- wire brush
- terminal protectant
- heavy-gauge jumper leads
Where to buy the parts
Batteries, cables and terminals (search)Supercheap Auto ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Nissan Patrol 160 / MQ parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.