Hey guys,

I'm having a reoccuring problem with my 1995 Maxima SE. Regardless of what time of day it is, whether the engine is hot or cold, ect....it just doesn't want to start sometimes. The engine cranks, starter works fine (new as of 3 months ago), but it just will not fire up, or show any signs of starting besdies the starter turning. Sometimes I will come out 5 minutes later and it will start fine, others it will not start for a day or so and then starts fine. Once it fires up, it runs great with no signs of any problems. I used to be able to sit and try to crank it for about 5 minutes and eventually it would start, but not anymore. Anyone have any ideas as to what could cause this? I have been stranded many times, and have been late to a few important engagements due to this problem. I cannot turn off my car at the gas pump with fear of it not starting. So what do you guys think I should check before taking it to a mechanic and getting taken for a ride....I'm open to any and all ideas. Before this no start problem occured, it used to start, then immediately die and I would have to restart the car and give it gas if that may help diagnose the problem.

-Battery cables are fine and not corroded

-I've tried to leave the key in the ON position to get the fuel pump up and running with no avail

-I was thinking possibly spark plugs since they haven't been changed in awhile, but the car runs great after it starts..Could it still be?

Thanks for your input!
Rob

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....gnition+switch

Replace your ignition switch

 

This may be a stupid question, but would a faulty ignition switch allow the engine to crank but not start as if it were getting no fuel or spark? Everytime I turn the key the starter goes, it just always doesn't start. I just wiggled the wires on the ignition switch with no avail...It may be a faulty unit, just wanted to make sure that the engine would turn if the switch was faulty.
Thanks again!

 

If the ignition switch is bad, then the starter will not spin.

 

Change the plugs, air filter, fuel filter, clean TB and IACV.

 

Several maximas have been having this problem. Obviously make sure the battery is ok, starter ok-which you recently replaced, ignition switch has been linked to this problem, blown fuse-"engine ign?" or something like that, check the relays under the hood, check for loose or corroded wires under the hood or near the battery, etc. How many miles?-maybe consider the fuel pump or fuel filter. Check for neutral safety switch or try starting an auto in neutral or drive. See if all the normal idiot lights light up when you attempt to crank. good luck. consider crank position sensor.

 

Check both crank position sensors.

POS is located under the car on the tranny bell housing. That sensor causes hard or no start conditions when it's going bad.

REF is located under the main crank pully. It may also be the culprit of hard starts.

 

I agree with njmaxseltd. I had the SAME EXACT problem on my 96 SE mtx. I replaced the one under the harmonic balancer and everything is fine. paid $70 shipped for a new sensor from www.nissanpartsdistributor.com I would try to pull some codes before you go ordering anything though. Sometimes mine would throw a code and sometimes not. I believe the code is 0407 not positive though.

Andrew

 

I was reading up on this, and there are lots of things to consider for the original poster or others. Obviously the basics-battery, starter. Ignition switch-make sure CEL working. Park/Neutral safety switch can go bad, as well as neutral safety switch. Bad starter. Bad crank sensors. various starting/ignition relays labeled interlock, starter interupt, EGI. And for even more fun, apparently the 95 era maximas have wiring harnesses that can be faulty-so try wiggling the harness and cranking. Perhaps we should return to the 1960s era cars???

 

i have this problem.. started outa no where, car takes long to start sometimes but always does.. sometimes if i try for more then 30 secs white smoke comes out.. i tried unplugging my coils to check for a change and they all seemed okay. i doubt its ignition because starter sounds like its trying.. to me it feels like a fuel problem but my fpr didnt shoot gas when i unplugged it and started the engine..
i also noticed thers no miss when in park but in drive when juss barely moving it runs shakey and the tachometer never goes above 1000. when i speed up it drops.. ill get back on here when i figure this out