4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999) Visit the 4th Generation forum to ask specific questions or find out more about the 4th Generation Maxima.

My Max won't start... why?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 9, 2003 | 07:20 PM
  #1  
maddingo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12
My Max won't start... why?

When I tried to start my car this morning, all the engine did was turn but didn't kick over. I added gas thinking I didn't have enough gas, but that wasn't it. The battery is still good and the connections to it are fine. What else can be the problem?

95 Max GLE
Old Jan 9, 2003 | 07:22 PM
  #2  
Sprint's Avatar
Administrator
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 26,943
starter might be dead?

if your lights work then yoru starter is dead
Old Jan 9, 2003 | 07:23 PM
  #3  
CorvetteKid's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 213
Re: My Max won't start... why?

Originally posted by maddingo
When I tried to start my car this morning, all the engine did was turn but didn't kick over. I added gas thinking I didn't have enough gas, but that wasn't it. The battery is still good and the connections to it are fine. What else can be the problem?

95 Max GLE
I just repalced my starter on my 97, and the guy said that he is selling about 10 a week...i would check it out if i was you...just put your finger on it and have someone start it, you will feel the rest...good luck
Old Jan 9, 2003 | 07:26 PM
  #4  
maddingo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12
Re: Re: My Max won't start... why?

Originally posted by CorvetteKid


I just repalced my starter on my 97, and the guy said that he is selling about 10 a week...i would check it out if i was you...just put your finger on it and have someone start it, you will feel the rest...good luck


So you guys thing its the starter?? Can it be the fuel pump or anything of that sort? How much would it cost to replace a starter at the shop?
Old Jan 9, 2003 | 07:41 PM
  #5  
Miasma's Avatar
Supporting Maxima.org Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,082
the car is turning over, but not starting? its not the starter.
Old Jan 9, 2003 | 08:09 PM
  #6  
Conrad283's Avatar
I need a truck
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 73,115
From: Naples, Fl
Originally posted by Miasma
the car is turning over, but not starting? its not the starter.
alternator
Old Jan 9, 2003 | 09:32 PM
  #7  
maddingo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12
Originally posted by Conrad283


alternator
Alternator is less than 1 yr old.. replaced last summer. Power to the car is good.. I can use radio, lights are fine. Any other suggestions? Engine keeps turning but won't start.
Old Jan 9, 2003 | 11:20 PM
  #8  
Lost_N_a_97Max's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 259
It's in park right?
Old Jan 10, 2003 | 05:43 AM
  #9  
njmaxseltd's Avatar
Member who somehow became The President of The SE-L Club
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,024
You either have a fuel issue or one of your crank/cam sensors is dead.

The car cranks well, but doesn't start.

That rules out the battery, alternator, and starter.

He's got juice, but he's missing either a spark or gas.

Check the fuel pump fuse.
Check your ECU for codes.
Old Jan 10, 2003 | 09:52 AM
  #10  
maddingo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12
The car is in park.

Checked the fuse.. its good.

I added a extra gallon of gas.

Still won't start. Just cranks on and on. The first time it happened yesterday, the car I think started and just immediately stalled. Does that help the diagnosis. Any other ideas before I get it towed to the shop?
Old Jan 10, 2003 | 10:43 AM
  #11  
Lost_N_a_97Max's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 259
spark plugs? I dunno.
Old Jan 10, 2003 | 11:55 AM
  #12  
njmaxseltd's Avatar
Member who somehow became The President of The SE-L Club
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,024
Originally posted by maddingo
The first time it happened yesterday, the car I think started and just immediately stalled.

Does that help the diagnosis.
My money is on the crank sensor. There's 2 of them so be careful. Did you check the ECU for codes? Please do this now if you haven't already.
Old Jan 10, 2003 | 02:15 PM
  #13  
maddingo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12
Originally posted by njmaxseltd


My money is on the crank sensor. There's 2 of them so be careful. Did you check the ECU for codes? Please do this now if you haven't already.

I didn't check for the ECU codes yet. I was wondering, if the check engine light isn't on, would I still get a code or nothing will happen?
Old Jan 10, 2003 | 05:32 PM
  #14  
FLO_BOY's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,811
Originally posted by maddingo



I didn't check for the ECU codes yet. I was wondering, if the check engine light isn't on, would I still get a code or nothing will happen?
you can have codes even with the light off...it's weird, I know...
and I don't know why it happens, but it does.

FLO_BOY
Old Jan 10, 2003 | 05:59 PM
  #15  
jmax
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Okay, I have a similatproblem with my '99 SEL, 94,000 miles. I ran teh self diagnostics last night and then cleared the codes. Afterwards I attempted to start the car. Started attempts to spin but it seems to be locked up. Engine won't crank at all. Car ran fine before the self test. The codes on the PCM revealed a O2 sensor error, 0512 and a 0701, multiple cylinder misfire. I can't see why the car ran fine before the test but won't start now. Also can't seem to find any info on the "multiple cylinder misfire" cure. Regardless I will check my crank sensors, as I have replaced the alternator belt many times and could have knocked one loose.
Old Jan 10, 2003 | 07:10 PM
  #16  
SuperFishstick's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 662
check your plugs/coils ie. the electrical stuff. If its cranking and not starting, then either no spark or no fuel, or both.
Old Jan 10, 2003 | 08:13 PM
  #17  
jmax
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I'm thinking fuel pump right now. Anyone know where the bleeder valve is to find out for sure if fuel is making it to the fuel rail? My preliminary test of lifting the rear seat and listening turned up negative, no sound. But it could still just be a bad relay or other electrical problem. My fuel pump fuse was good last night when the problem first came up.
Old Jan 11, 2003 | 06:07 AM
  #18  
njmaxseltd's Avatar
Member who somehow became The President of The SE-L Club
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,024
Originally posted by jmax
I attempted to start the car. Started attempts to spin but it seems to be locked up. Engine won't crank at all.
Your starter is bad.
Old Jan 11, 2003 | 07:00 AM
  #19  
jmax
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by njmaxseltd

Your starter is bad.
No, it is not a bad starter. The starter does not spin if it is bad. unless the teeth are worn down. It felt as though the engine was not cranking, but it actually was. I am so used to the rumble and purr of my greddy and catmann SS-Y that I did not realize it was cranking. A friend who is a good mechanic came over and verified that it was cranking. It's hard to tell from the drivers seat.

To make a long story a bit shorter the car was flooded. I haven't had a car flood since the late 80's or early 90's. Didn't even know it was possible with fuel injection. I was about to go out and check all my sensors and pull the fuel pump out but called the dealership first. He asked me one question, "The last time you drove the car, did you just drive it down the driveway and then shut it off?". The answer was yes. Apparently when the max is in the warm up stage it is pumping enough fuel to flood if you shut it off. I guess that is why I didn't hear the fuel pump. The line was already charged.
Old Jan 11, 2003 | 08:25 AM
  #20  
douglas's Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3
My maxima has similar problem..won't start properly every morning unless i give some gas....my dealer has o2 sensors, air flow meter replaced ..it is still not fixed....I am not sure what is the problem .....I need to bring my car back to dealer next week and hopefully they can find out the problem???
Old Jan 11, 2003 | 08:46 AM
  #21  
jmax
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by douglas
My maxima has similar problem..won't start properly every morning unless i give some gas....my dealer has o2 sensors, air flow meter replaced ..it is still not fixed....I am not sure what is the problem .....I need to bring my car back to dealer next week and hopefully they can find out the problem???
Have you used injector cleaner in the past 15,000 miles? Or replaced the fuel filter? Total for both of these is less than $20.
Old Jan 11, 2003 | 08:52 AM
  #22  
douglas's Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3
Originally posted by jmax


Have you used injector cleaner in the past 15,000 miles? Or replaced the fuel filter? Total for both of these is less than $20.
Yes I did.
Old Jan 11, 2003 | 09:26 AM
  #23  
jmax
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I hate to tell you this but it really sounds like the Mass Airflow Sensor. They are not cheap. But the dealer should discount it by the amount you have already paid for items you did not need.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
litch
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
123
Jan 4, 2024 07:01 PM
Quickywd01
4th Generation Classifieds (1995-1999)
3
Sep 21, 2016 09:36 PM
jds22
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
0
Sep 29, 2015 02:03 PM
Garrettz459
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
1
Sep 28, 2015 02:50 PM
hez8813
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
0
Sep 27, 2015 08:37 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:21 AM.