Posting here because I don't belong to Nissan forums...

about once a month I get stranded for anywhere between 5 and 30 minutes because the car doesn't start...dash lights and all power works when key turned to ACC but turning key further to start and nothing happens. No cranking, clicking, no nothing.

Eventually the car starts right up as if nothing went wrong...but it might take up to 50 tries and 30 minutes of trying to start it. Or it might start right up on the third try.

Since this happened tonight odds are given frequency of the problem it won't happen for a while so it won't happen in the morning when I will finally bring to a mechanic...any ideas so the mechanic doesn't spend several hours testing on my dime ?

Ignition ? starter ?

 

If the idiot lights do not change when you turn the key, suspect the ignition switch.
Otherwise the starter...
Not much but hope it helps...

 

when starters 'die', do they fail intermittently or do they just fail permanently ?

 

intermittently. starter or starter relay would be where I start.. (older nissans had issues with the starter relay.)

 

Try this.

Carry a small hammer or even a wrench with you. When this happens, pop the hood and tap the starter. Don't wack the **** out of it, or go for a full swing, just tap it a little bit, and then try starting the truck again. This may also take a few times, but no more than 3. If that doesn't work, I would say relay

Just be careful to not hit the wires or connectors on the starter. I hit it once with a ratchet trying to install a tee fitting on my oil pressure sender on the Alero. Not fun

 

nissans (around 95 vintage) have bad ignition switches, check first