I have a 95se automatic with 115,000 miles. Ok, car started fine all day, and all week, one day about 2 weeks ago I was in the driveway and it was early and cold out. I went to start it and it almost started (turned over and started, but then bogged down quickly and stalled). I gave it a minute and when I turned the key I got nothing. I mean NOTHING. No sounds, no vibrations, as if the battery was totally drained, but it wasn't. I still had lights, radio, etc. The light for the airbag, seatbelt, battery, check engine, oil and I think whatever else came on. When I tried a few more times to start it all I could notice was a small clicking sound coming from the fuse box under the dash (it would click once, maybe twice per key turn). I checked the ignition fuses under the hood, all are OK. I sat for a minute in anger and then gave it another try....it started normally, out of the blue, like nothing ever happened.

Since then I have been serviced at Admiral Nissan in Atlantic City, (tune up, breaks, master cylinder).

Everything seemed great and I have never experienced the above problem since, until today. The exact thing happened as described above, but I tried for about 3 hours to start it, wait a while, start it, and so on, as I waited for the tow truck. Needless to say it never started and my poor Max is back at Dr. Admiral Nissan.

I'm sorry for the length but I tried to be as thorough as possible with the description. Any and all help is appreciated. I want to compare the info with what Nissan says when they call me with the bill tomorrow.

Thanks much.

 

Thank you for the detailed report of symptoms. One item was not mentioned... the age of the battery. If this is the original battery it has come to the end of its road.

This no-crank condition might also be caused by loose or dirty battery cable connections or a bad starter. There have been a lot of complaints about bad starters on the '95 Maximas.

 

i had the exact same thing happen to me. the mysterious out of the blue no start, no sound, and no turning over problem turned out to be a bad starter. The turning over and then just dying turned out to be a battery. Wish i posted when these problems happened to me, i coulda saved bout $150.00 in diagnosis fees.
But then again i've gotten all of the typical 95 max problems. for future reference if you're headlights flare or you get a sulfer smell through the vents or your aftermarket amp cuts out it's an overcharging alternator. It was an intermitant problem and took 5 visits to the dealer for them to admit the problem. also your check engine light will invariably come on due to rear o2 sensor.

i think that simply askin daniel martin will probably save you hundreds of dollars if not more over the life time of your max.
hope this helps

[Edited by 95greense on 02-06-2001 at 05:51 PM]

 

I replaced the battery not even 6 months ago. It is a Pro-Start with a 2 year warranty so it would be great if thats it. The connections to the terminal are a little grimy because I have neglected to clean the engine up for a long time, however today I did disconnect, wipe, and reconnect them while waiting for the tow truck.

I am baffled. But if it you think it is the starter do you have a ball park figure to expect?

Thanks so much. I can't describe how grateful I am for your help.

-Don DeFeo

 

Expect the Nissan dealer to charge between US$400 and US$500 for a remanufactured starter, installed. An independent shop would probably charge less, but you would be getting a Brand X starter.

Replacing the starter is something which can be done by the home mechanic. Do you like to do your own "wrenching"?

 

Yes, I love to "wrench" away, often without knowing what I'm "wrenching" at. LOL

Anyway to save some $$ would be great since I just gave Admiral $1100 for the first visit.

 

Remanufactured units are available for $140 (Brand X) up to $360 (Bosch).
If done by a professional the labor charge ought to be one hour. This is a job which can be done by the home mechanic. No need to jack the car, the starter motor is accessed from above.

1. Make written notes of the radio station presets. Disconnecting the battery will cause the radio and clock to experience "amnesia".

2. Disconnect the cable from the negative terminal of the battery.

3. Remove the air intake duct and the air cleaner housing assembly.

4. Disconnect the battery cable and the solenoid terminal connection from the starter solenoid.

5. Remove the starter motor mounting bolts and remove the starter from the engine. These bolts may be really tight!

6. Installation of the starter is the reverse of steps 5 - 2, above.

7. Set the clock to the correct time. Refer to the notes made in step 1 to restore the radio station presets.

For more information, go to http://vbxmaxima.8m.com/starter.html