Funny noise at startup
#1
Funny noise at startup
I have to say, in the 5 years I've owned this car, this is the first time I'm starting to notice something unusual...
When I first start my car, right after it fires up I get a weird noise - kinda like an 'rrrrrrr' that lasts about 2 seconds. I don't know if this is a cold weather thing as it has just been happening in the last month or so. It happens when I first start it up in the morning, and when I leave work (both times, sitting in cold for long periods).
I know it's a hard description and sounds are hard to describe, but I'd thought I'd give it a shot and hope someone might say "hey, yeah I've heard that in my car too" and have an idea of what it might be.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Sarah
When I first start my car, right after it fires up I get a weird noise - kinda like an 'rrrrrrr' that lasts about 2 seconds. I don't know if this is a cold weather thing as it has just been happening in the last month or so. It happens when I first start it up in the morning, and when I leave work (both times, sitting in cold for long periods).
I know it's a hard description and sounds are hard to describe, but I'd thought I'd give it a shot and hope someone might say "hey, yeah I've heard that in my car too" and have an idea of what it might be.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Sarah
#2
OMG it's a girl!!! Can I help, can I? can I?
It could be a variety of things (that's what you wanted to hear), but I would start with checking the belts and starter. They are the most prone to squeals/grinds (starter) on startups.
Is that the original starter in that car? Have the belts ever been replaced? What's the mileage?
It could be a variety of things (that's what you wanted to hear), but I would start with checking the belts and starter. They are the most prone to squeals/grinds (starter) on startups.
Is that the original starter in that car? Have the belts ever been replaced? What's the mileage?
#4
It is definetly the starter. I had the same problem with my 99. I took the starter out and regreased it with lithium grease and that took care of it....the grease was like $3 and it took about an hour and a half. There is a write up on how to do also at http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php. Hope this helps.
#5
Originally Posted by njmodi
OMG it's a girl!!! Can I help, can I? can I?
It could be a variety of things (that's what you wanted to hear), but I would start with checking the belts and starter. They are the most prone to squeals/grinds (starter) on startups.
Is that the original starter in that car? Have the belts ever been replaced? What's the mileage?
It could be a variety of things (that's what you wanted to hear), but I would start with checking the belts and starter. They are the most prone to squeals/grinds (starter) on startups.
Is that the original starter in that car? Have the belts ever been replaced? What's the mileage?
Yes, it is a girl!! I used to post alot more back in the day though (you know...when the lounge was free)..
It's the original starter, the belts were replaced at my 75K mile service, I now have 97K miles.
DcMaN:
No, the car does not quack.
ben99sel:
Thanks for the info. I'll have to look into doing that.
I just read the info you gave, and although my sound is not a 'high pitched wheeee" it's more of a loan groan of 'rrrrrr'. I'm assuming this could still be the same issue though?
Thanks for all the replies ~
Sarah
#7
probably the starter Does it sound like a dying duck ?
I've had to replace the starter a couple of times and they both made this noise before they went out. I tried the grease solution but it went out for good about 1 month later.
#8
Originally Posted by Sarah99GXE
njmodi:
Yes, it is a girl!! I used to post alot more back in the day though (you know...when the lounge was free)..
It's the original starter, the belts were replaced at my 75K mile service, I now have 97K miles.
DcMaN:
No, the car does not quack.
ben99sel:
Thanks for the info. I'll have to look into doing that.
I just read the info you gave, and although my sound is not a 'high pitched wheeee" it's more of a loan groan of 'rrrrrr'. I'm assuming this could still be the same issue though?
Thanks for all the replies ~
Sarah
Yes, it is a girl!! I used to post alot more back in the day though (you know...when the lounge was free)..
It's the original starter, the belts were replaced at my 75K mile service, I now have 97K miles.
DcMaN:
No, the car does not quack.
ben99sel:
Thanks for the info. I'll have to look into doing that.
I just read the info you gave, and although my sound is not a 'high pitched wheeee" it's more of a loan groan of 'rrrrrr'. I'm assuming this could still be the same issue though?
Thanks for all the replies ~
Sarah
Perhaps your problem is similar in nature. A slipping belt will definitely squeal as opposed to groan. A starter with dried out grease or sticking solenoid will also more likely squeal than groan. A short video/audio clip(as mentioned) that captures the sound would be very useful.
#10
Had the same problem.
My starter was never changed , and it needed some grease which I did put it, however after 4 month it totally died so I figured running out of grease maybe was a sign to tell you that you are going to need a new starter pretty soon.
cheers,
My starter was never changed , and it needed some grease which I did put it, however after 4 month it totally died so I figured running out of grease maybe was a sign to tell you that you are going to need a new starter pretty soon.
cheers,
#11
My '95 started making that noise on startup last year, and yes, it only occurs on cold days (I don't ever get it in the summer, and only on cold days in the winter). I'm pretty sure it is the timing chain tensioner tightening up your chain, that's all. I read a lot about timing chain stuff when I had my water pump replaced in the fall, since the timing chain tensioner must be untensioned when doing the water pump replacement. I don't think it is a sign of anything imminently about to break, just an annoyance. To be safe, you should have the belts and hoses checked on your car the next time you bring it in, and consider replacing the belts if they are over a few years old (I'm not well-versed enough to tell you what the belts turn (maybe alternator), simply that they are in there).
In the winter, I always let my car warm up for at least 2 minutes before I drive off, so by then the RPMs are around 12-1300 and there are no unusual noises.
By the way - there's much more info in this thread (http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=449512) about the timing chain/tensioner, and they say that damage can be done eventually if you don't replace the tensioner at some point (how long it takes to get to that point though, I don't know).
In the winter, I always let my car warm up for at least 2 minutes before I drive off, so by then the RPMs are around 12-1300 and there are no unusual noises.
By the way - there's much more info in this thread (http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=449512) about the timing chain/tensioner, and they say that damage can be done eventually if you don't replace the tensioner at some point (how long it takes to get to that point though, I don't know).
#12
Well it happened....my car won't start. I noticed it yesterday on my way to work. Started fine when I left my house, then when I left the coffee shop it was a very slow start. AFter work, same thing....a slow start. When I got home, I shut the car off, turned it back on for my husband to hear and yep, another slow start. Then I tried it one more time, and it didn't start at all. Almost sounds like it doesn't want to turn over either. I will try again to confirm if it cranks or not.
If it is just the starter, will the car still crank and just not fire up, or will it not crank at all?
I'd like to try and confirm the problem before I take it to the dealership if it's more than the starter. My husband said he would attemp to fix the starter (were so used to old american cars, that working on the max will be a first) which I think we could, but if it's more than that, we'll see.
Thanks for everyones help!
Sarah
If it is just the starter, will the car still crank and just not fire up, or will it not crank at all?
I'd like to try and confirm the problem before I take it to the dealership if it's more than the starter. My husband said he would attemp to fix the starter (were so used to old american cars, that working on the max will be a first) which I think we could, but if it's more than that, we'll see.
Thanks for everyones help!
Sarah
#13
Sarah - some terminology FYI:
Cranking - if you turn the key and hear the car go whirr-whirr-whirr, i.e. the engine is turning-over, then that means the starter is working. However, the starter could still be marginal (i.e. crank the car slower than normal).
Turning-over - this is the same thing as cranking.
Firing/Catching - this is the actual point in time where you hear the car has "started to run on it's own" and you release the key (i.e. stop trying to "start" it).
If your car was cranking slowly, that (to us) means it was indeed turning (i.e. starter was spinning). That could be due to a weak battery. If that behavior continues, try jump-starting and see if the car cranks faster. If it does, then your problem is a weak battery. If the car continues to crank slowly (than normal), even with a jump, then most likely your problem is a bad starter.
Cranking - if you turn the key and hear the car go whirr-whirr-whirr, i.e. the engine is turning-over, then that means the starter is working. However, the starter could still be marginal (i.e. crank the car slower than normal).
Turning-over - this is the same thing as cranking.
Firing/Catching - this is the actual point in time where you hear the car has "started to run on it's own" and you release the key (i.e. stop trying to "start" it).
If your car was cranking slowly, that (to us) means it was indeed turning (i.e. starter was spinning). That could be due to a weak battery. If that behavior continues, try jump-starting and see if the car cranks faster. If it does, then your problem is a weak battery. If the car continues to crank slowly (than normal), even with a jump, then most likely your problem is a bad starter.
#14
Oh btw, the starter is very easy to replace on your Maxima. See www.motorvata.ca for a write-up.
#20
Originally Posted by seanish4042
my car kinda quacks on startup for liek 2 seconds. at like 1500rmp. real quick like quackquackquackquack.
#21
i had the same problem, except my starter was having a rough time engaging the one-way clutch...it was pretty embarrassing, but I took it out, the grease was pretty old, and I washed all the non-electrical parts with brake cleaner and dish soap, then regreased with wolf's head red grease (high temp) that I had lying around....car starts up perfectly all the time now.
i hope I didn't jinx it though
i hope I didn't jinx it though
#22
#23
You resurrected an eight year old thread to post in the the wrong section??
Starter re grease
Probably too late for you though.
Starter re grease
Probably too late for you though.
#24
maxima.org should just have a flow chart for these situations and all the answers for each question are either google or search maxima.org... car wont start yeah no problem says right here you should check google so no one has to write out all of the possibilities with the heaps of information you just gave us about your car like what the voltage of the battery is, if the starter is even engaging or theres nothing or theres just a click... all helpful information.
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