My maxima has trouble starting (click, but no start).
usually when I try to start it 5-15 key turns it fires up. Tonight was the first time I gave up on it after 30+ times and had my fiance give me a push while I popped the clutch. It fired RIGHT up then.

I figure the starter is shot. The guy I got it from said he rebuilt it a while back or something, who knows.

Is this a really easy install? I plan to call around the junk yards and auto places and find the cheapest one I can that works. $$ is tight, and I just spend 275 on a new alternator (broken bolts needed drilled and tapped, UG!)

Any write-ups on starter replacement?

Thanks-

 

very simple, especially for a 5spd

check my how-to on the underdrive pulley replacement

also, be sure to disconnect your battery beforehand

 

I didn't see that on your site... got a direct link? thanks!

 

It took me 20 minutes to put a new starter on a VE, and I`m a girl.

 

http://www.geocities.com/craigbrace

the link is right about the picture in his sig.

a much cheeper way of starting the car is to always park on a hill ;-)

 

oh, sorry you're right. It's actually on a different site

http://www.4dsc.com/articles

I put it up there but forgot to put it on my site as well. Sorry about the confusion and good luck.

 

Definetly dont forget to unplug battery, b/c i told my friend to unplug the battery then i got under the car and next thing i know sparks are flying everywhere!!, so lesson to learn never trust anyone else with saftey checks

 

 

basically, disconnect the battery, jack it up (maybe, might not have to), undo the two wires connected to the starter (the big one is held on with a nut), then undo the nut and the bold holding ithe starter on. Pops right off.

 

 

Okay, the same exact thing had been happening to me for a while, except I have an auto, and no fiance. I would very seldom encounter the problem though... but recently I tried for like 30 minutes to start the car, with nothing, so I left it at a friend's house and got a ride. The next morning, the car starts up right away... But I decide to replace the starter anyways to play it safe. Really simple to do. And afterwards it seemed to work fine, until earlier today. (2 days after replacing the starter)
I went out to my car and tried starting it... did the click but no start again and again. Finally after my 7th try or something I held the key forward in the ignition for 5-10 seconds and it started up. So I encountered the same problem with the new starter. Hmmm... maybe it's something else. At least I was able to finally get it started, though.

 

if that is the case then you probly need to replace the ring gear that is on the flex plate, how you would do that I have no idea, but I have a spare flex plate I could send you PM me for detales if you decide thats what you need....

 

It sounds like an electrical problem... When it has happened to me, the clicking noise comes from the fuses, but all the fuses are fine. And the engine doesn't crank... It seems almost like it's the ignition... I have no clue, though. I'm no car mechanic... what's the ring gear and flex plate?

 

fuses dont click, relays do

flex plate is in the same spot as a flywheel would be for a 5spd (between tranny and engine). It has a ring gear around the outside that the starter catches when you try to start and that's how it turns the engine over

 

Heres another link.....http://www1.autozone.com/servlet/UiB...3d801f46f3.jsp

 

ther ring gear i am talking about is what the teeth on the starter turn, the flex plate is between the auto tranny and the transmission, its bolted to the crank shaft and the tourque converter

 

ring gear is attached to the flexplate or to the flywheel

 

UPDATE:
I picked up a used started from a salvage yard and installed it in the pouring rain in my parking lot, hahah

Started up fine several times in a row (which it usually did even with the old starter)

It sounds different when it starts now...I didn't stick around to try to see what the sound was. I was cold, wet, and I just hopped in the shower hehe.
Also there is one starter bolt missing (attaching to the engine) so I need to find one of those too.

 

Craig - the link for installing fuzzy dice doesn't work!

 

Well, thanks...now that makes sense to me, b/c I know where and what that is, just not what it was called. I might look into checking that out, to see if it is in fact the problem.

And, Schwagoo, When I replaced my starter... It sounded different as well. A kinda grinding sound that made me think the new starter was engaging for a bit too long or something, but after a few times the sound went away, and now it sounds smooth when starting up.