My son has a 1987 nissan maxima and when you start it, sometimes it makes a grinding sound, like if you try to start your car when it is on. This doesnt happen all the time, just once in awhile. Other than that it cranks over normal. Is this the starter going or a bad solenoid? I was wandering because i would hate to replace the starter and not be it. Any Opinions? Thanks

 

My dad had the same thing happen to his Jeep Cherokee and eventually the starter died completely. The noise started about 6 months before the starter actually went. I haven't had to replace the starter on my Maxima yet though, I only have 112K miles on the car. You didn't say how many miles were on your kid's car, but the starter in my dad's '90 Jeep lasted 215K miles.

-C-

 

Thanks! The maxima has 126k miles. I bought it back in march for $950 dollars from an old man with 120k miles. Great Shape! Other than minor wear on leather and the starter problem. It does have a hard time starting when it is cold, but most cars 15 years old start up hard when there cold. But again thanks for your time!

 

No problem, glad I can help out. As for the cold start problem, it's probably the Air Regulator that is bad. When it's cold outside the Air Regulator adjusts the air intake to help the engine start up. Mine is broken too. I found out that it was broken whenever I took the car in to have the fuel injectors replaced. I haven't replaced it yet though, I may do it before winter comes if I have some extra cash, it's not a big enough of a problem that warrants an immediate replacement. The car starts up immediately during the summer months.

Also, you may want to call up the Nissan dealership and make sure that the fuel injectors and harness were replaced under the recall. Just give them the VIN on the car and they'll let you know. It's the only recall that was issued on the 2nd gen Maxima. If it's not performed, there is a risk of an engine fire.

-C-

 

You have been some great help! I cant thank you enough for your time. I will check with nissan right away about the injectors. Thanks Again!

 

My dad had an '87 GLE auto. It did the samething yours did...we found out that the flywheel had a few teeth missing, and every once in awhile the starter would get in that 'gap' after driving it around. All we had to do was move the shift lever through the gears a couple times and it would catch and start. Don't know if this helps, but it helped us.