The Nissan stop-start system was designed to save fuel by shutting off the engine when it is not needed. The system is activated when you are stopped for more than three seconds.
Unfortunately, many Nissan Qashqai owners came to my workshop with the same issue and it seems to be a common problem.
Luckily, 98% of the time it is an easy fix. In this article, I will offer some advice on the main causes and how to repair a stop-start system in a Nissan Qashqai.
What is Nissan Qashqai Stop-Start Feature?
Nissan has introduced the stop-start system as a new feature in its line of automobiles.
which prevents the engine from starting until the driver takes their foot off the brake pedal. This feature is designed to reduce emissions and save you gas by preventing unnecessary idling.
The stop-start system is also designed to reduce wear and tear on the motor by reducing idling time.
What Does Qashqai’s “Stop Start System Fault” Mean?
The “Stop/Start System Fault” means that the Qashqai ECU picked up that there is something wrong with the Stop/Start system when this happens your Nissan won’t be able to automatically stop and start when it is stationary.
Nissan Qashqai “Start Stop System Fault” Causes
The number one causes for this is a Bad/Failing battery. The battery on the Qashqai controls most electronics including the stop-start system. If the battery voltage is too low the system will not work. The battery must have at least 12.6 Volts to operate the system.
Other stop-start system fault causes include
1. Loose Battery Terminals:
If your battery terminals are loose the stop-start system will not work properly since the battery won’t get the required charge, as a result, it won’t be able to provide enough power for the system.
2. Corroded Battery Terminals:
Corroded battery terminals will cause the same issue as loose terminals. The corrosion prevents a proper connection between the terminal and the battery, which makes it impossible for the battery to provide enough power for the stop-start system.
3. Failing Alternator:
In some rare cases, the alternator on the Qashqai may fail, which will prevent the alternator from properly charging the battery.
This will leave the vehicle without enough power to run the stop-start system and you may notice that it takes longer than usual to start your car in these instances.
How to Fix Nissan Qashqai Stop Start System Fault
Since 98% of the time is fault is caused by a battery problem then the first thing you should check is the battery, do the following things.
1. Check Battery Condition:
The first thing I recommend that you do is to have your battery checked by a professional. This will ensure that the battery is in good condition, and if it isn’t then you can replace it.
Nissan Recommends that you change your battery every 4-5 years, if your Qashqai is older than this then I would highly recommend that you change the battery.
2. Check the Battery Terminals:
If you recently changed your battery and it is still in good condition then the next thing you should do is check the terminals for corrosion or lose connections.
If you do find corrosion or lose connections then clean them off with a wire brush and apply some anti-corrosion spray to prevent this from happening again then tighten the terminals.
3. Have the Car Scanned
Should it happen that you have checked the battery terminals and they are clean and tight then it is time to have the vehicle scanned.
You should take your car to a Nissan Dealer and have them scan it for any fault codes which will pinpoint the exact issue.
Can You Drive with a “Start Stop System Fault” on a Qashqai?
The short answer is, yes, you can drive with the start-stop fault on a Qashqai, given there are no other faults in the vehicle. Since the system is not directly related to how the engine works, it won’t cause any damage to your car.
However, you should still get it sorted out Asap since you won’t be able to save gas when idling with the system not working.
Additional Sources:
https://www-europe.nissan-cdn.net/content/dam/Nissan/za/OWNERS/QRGs/Nissan%20Qashqai%20Guide.pdf
https://www.wolfchasenissan.com/service/service-and-parts-tips/how-often-to-replace-car-battery/
Help full very. Thank you
I have a qashqai on a 16 plate with 41000 miles on. It has the stop start auto system flashing with engine management light on.
It has been back to Nissan and put on diagnostics twice now and its report is no faults can you help.??
Hi Tracy,
Did you try to test your battery? I recommend that you check your battery first since low voltage can cause this problem. Don’t forget to check the terminals too.
Hi I have the system fault stop start on my quasquia, took it to have battery checked and the battery is fine, they noticed that they couldn’t turn off the button for the stop start off, any ideas?
Thanks
Susan
Once I’ve changed the battery, for a new one, would the fault on my screen dissappear, thank you.
Hey David, Thanks for the comment. In most cases yes, the fault should disappear. Just make sure you get the right battery size with good Cold Cranking Amps.
This fault just appeared on my car, when returning home it the car was shaking/ vibrating. Does this mean there is also something else wrong? New battery arrives today. If this fixes it will the message disappear on its own? Thanks
Hi Gemma, thanks for reaching out.
Vibrations can be caused by different things including misfires, bad injectors, and a bad MAF sensor. However, a bad battery can cause your Nissan to not function as it should.
If you change the battery and the new battery voltage is good, then the fault should disappear on its own.
HI,
just read your info above. My qashqai returned 5 times to the place where purchased. Under warranty, but so far ive need to additionally purchase v.expensive Battery, exhaust sensor, but recently they have been stumped and just checked and reset codes. Now dealer indicates return to main dealer for software update? not sure whether terminals need tightening and apart from the alternator, would there be anything else to check please?
thanks
Hi Bill,
I am sorry to hear that your Qashqai is giving you these problems. Apart from the alternator, I recommend you properly clean your terminals (you can do that with hot water), and check the voltage regulator as well, It’s also possible that there may be a software issue causing this problem. Since your dealer is suggesting a software update, I say go for it and see if it solves the issue. Software updates can sometimes fix problems with the vehicle’s electronics and prevent further problems from occurring. Let me know how it goes.