Well, tonight before leaving work, I was starting my car, and it took about 5 or 6 cranks tonight... which is unusual, since like 2 or 3 get the starter turning easily. In the meantime, I also heard some heavy grinding. Eventually, when the car started up, I got the CEL, which stayed on all the way home. My car felt fine though, drove like usual. Anyways, I got home, turned the car off, waited like 20 seconds, then turned the car on again, and it felt like a slight "buck" when I started it, but it started right up. I still had the CEL. So I turned it off and went in to ask my roommate about switching cars, since mine would be in a better position in the spot close to the house, where noone would really bother my car. Anyways, I go to start it up, and now I barely get grinding. I think the starter may have like 1 or 2 more starts on it left (if I have to squeeze it), and I am quite fuming, as this couldn't come at a better fu(king time!

So how much is it gonna be if I take my car to the stealership tomorrow to get the starter replaced? and if anyone says DIY, I will steal my roommates car, track you down, and beat you within an inch of your life, because I do not wish to fathom the thought of doing anything outside tomorrow with this ridiculous weather...

Thanks for your thoughts...
-Jay

 

Well the CEL is weird, but its probally gonna cost 300~400 for a starter at the stealership. I would check the CEL and see whats up. Also I would work on it for you if you could get it to my house, but I dont think its gonna make it. If it is the starter its definitly caused by the weather, mine let out a screech tonight when I was leaving work.

 

Thanks, but yea, my car won't make it out your way, plus I'm sure you don't want to trek out here to fix something in sub-freezing temperatures, so I think my best bet would be to just head to the stealership and just get things done and move on...

pain in the A$$ I tell ya...

300-400, kinda what I estimated... I'm hoping I can get this repaired tomorrow, otherwise I'm screwed...

 

I paid $300 at sears dealer wanted 400

 

buy an OEM starter from...

http://www.nissanpartstore.com/

The cost is $144.94 plus a $75.00 core charge until you ship yours out to them. Thats the way to go man you'll save a lot of money. The starter just bolts right on. If you take out all the parts to the "intake" (MAF, and other components near the air filter) you will see it sitting right there. You could probably change your starter in an hour. Maybe even less. Its a DIY job for sure man.

 

its not a DIY job in 4 degree weather man

but yeah, if it was like spring (or above 30), I would be out there in a second...

Anyways, my car is at the stealership now, they quoted me 350-500. My parents are helping me out, and I'm paying them back, and hopefully I'll have a working car on monday...

just gotta figure out how I'm gonna get to work for the weekend and part of Monday

 

i've read that some dealerships give discounts on starters because they're a known problem. almost like a silent recall but they still charge you. i just remember seeing that someone paid $170 or something like that. they should be recalled or atleast regreased for free since they all seem to have the same problems. mine's been having trouble because it's sooo cold that it sticks a little but it still starts up right away.

goodluck with your max man.