In the morning i have been noticing a funny noise (whirr) after starting my car (96 maxima). I noticed it happens when the car sits for about 6 hours. I am assuming its the starter. has anyone else had this problem?
If it is the starter how easy is it to replace?

Toubis

 

The sound is probably emanating from the starter motor.
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

 

I have it too. It is most likely the starter drive (used to be called the Bendix int he old days). When the engine fires up the drive is supposed to retract it's gear from the flywheel/flexplate so the starter drive doesn't over-rev. The whirrr is the sound of the drive getting spun up really fast before it gets flung back away from the flywheel. You can remove the started and replace the drive alone or replace the whole starter...it's your call. If the car has alot of miles on it I would do the whole thing, if is has seen low usage just do the drive, I think I might just do the gear, I have 50k on her right now and my 90 Pontiac passed 108k on the original starter before I sold it.

 

I agree. However, the problem isn't a bad starter drive. It is a gummed-up engagement mechanism which isn't retracting the drive quickly enough. If you are willing to invest the time you can rejuvenate this starter without buying any parts. Take it apart, clean and lubricate the fork, put it all together.

 

I agree but I was having a hard time translating that from Mechanicese. I don't think I would bother with cleaning it tho, my experience is that a bearing or the spring will fail a few months afterwards LOL, so it's best off to replace and get new parts....wether or not you do it for the whole starter is a judgement call. I remember once I tried to rebuild the entire started out of my Dodge Charger and by the time I priced the bearings, drive, bushings etc it cost more than the whole rebuilt unit! I don't know what I will do with mine, I imagine if I take the time to do it now I could get away with cleaning cause it's a 98 with only 50k of mostly highway use. I will let you know how is goes!

 

It's been a year since I cleaned and regreased my starter. It works like new and the noise never came back.

 

It seems like this topic is appearing more and more these days. DAMN newbies

 

I was just venting I guess I come here to much

 

Different things worked for different people with this same problem. For me, when i replaced my fuel filter (which i haven't done in a while) it solved the problem. Other people put thinner oil in their car or switched to sythetic. And still others regreased or replaced their starter.

 

Im not sure if it is the starter on my car also, but sometimes when i start up my car in the morning before i go off to school...it makes a really weird noise for only 1 second or sometimes even less...It sounds like a tin coffee can being tapped and spinned at the same time...
What do you think it is?
Help!
My Maxima sounds like a power wheels when the battery is going to die!
haha

Joe.

PS...my check engine light has come on a couple times, i check it and it was the rear 02 sensor and the knock sensor. Should i spend the money and take the time and take it to the dealer so i really know whats wrong with it?
Please let me know
Joe.

 

Thanks, i am gonna take a sunday to work on it. I am going to change it, i feel it will be less of a hassle.

Toby