Check fuel pump pressure and volume first. A fuel filter is essentially a metal cannister with a screen inside that takes out most of the dirt and crud that is in the fuel. However, this fuel is filtered before it goes into the underground tank at the gas station. A fuel filter would have to be completely clogged, which I have never seen happen, to cause a vehicle to not start. Not saying it isn't possible, just not likely. The fuel filter is hidden behind a mounting bracket. It is in front of the gas tank on the cross member. You can see it (or rather, see the mounting bracket) if you are in front of the gas tank and looking back toward the rear of the car. Crawl under the car in front of the rear driver's side wheel. Look at the gas tank (on the passenger's side) now look up a little and more towards the center of the vehicle. You'll see it. Because I don't know how much you know (or don't know) about cars, a cross member is a rail that runs between the two main frame rails. The crossmember runs side to side, the frame rails run front to back. If you can't find your fuel tank, you really should take this to a mechanic. Here are complete instructions: http://www.xterraparts.com/service/2000-2001_change-fuel-filter.html A few steps you must take before changing the filter:
1. Park over a grassy or dirt area if you're not in a shop
2. With the ignition off, pull the fuel pump fuse, located on the interior fuse box at the lower left end of the dashboard. Fuel pump fuse is at the upper left corner of the panel.
3. Start the engine and run at idle for as long as it will keep going, then turn the ignition off. Doing the above will relieve MOST of the line pressure. You will still get some fuel squirting out of the filter when you break the line, so be prepared with safety goggles, some rags, and clothes you don't care about. Note which end of the filter is facing which direction before you remove it- the filter needs to be oriented correctly for proper flow. Good Luck!
There is no battery in the starter.
You may need to have your starter checked. If the radio comes on, then its not the battery. Does the truck make a clicking sound when you try to turn over the engine. If it makes a click -click noise when you try to start, then its not your starter.
Check the starter, spark plugs, distributer cap, battery.
Make sure connections are on tight.
Starter lockout relay, next to the battery.
Could be the battery is drained or bad. Could be battery connections at battery and or starter are dirty and or loose. Could be starter solenoid is bad. Could be starter is bad.
A starter does drain a battery. The battery holds a charge so that you can use your starter to start the car. After the car is started the alternator recharges your battery and runs your car and all it's accessories. If your car won't start or is having a hard time starting you can drain your battery by repeated unsuccessful attempts to start it.
The starter could be bad. Or the battery. The starter could be bad. Or the battery.
Sometimes there can be enough power in the battery to run electrical things but not enough to start the engine. You need to get the battery tested to see if it will hold a charge.You can try to jump start it using another battery. If it will not start this way,try charging the battery first before going on to the starter. If it turns out to be the starter, you can have it rebuilt. This can run about 20.00-40.00.
== == Having the battery disconnected will affect the on board computer, and you should also check the starter circuit, for a problem that MAY have drained the battery in th first place. You need a professional mechanic.
Try getting a jump start. Could be a bad battery. If your battery is good, then you will need to get a new starter. It may be the Starter or the battery make be dead,
Corroded battery terminals, defective battery, or starter.Corroded battery terminals, defective battery, or starter.