Hi;

Starting Problems: (Note, I have read everything I could find on the .org about this problem in the last few months as I got ready to buy a new starter.

My starter is a Nissan OEM unit that replaced my original at 50,000 miles, and now I have 221,000 miles on the car.

The last couple of days I have had starting problems.

I turn the key to start and nothing is there.

I tried to turn the steering wheel, move the shifter from park to neutal and back again, and sometimes it would start.

This has been intermittent for a couple of years, but I mean really rare.

Now, it is happening frequently.

Yesterday, I had to try four times pulling the key out each time before it started.

I have been told that it is the way that Nissan starters fail, but I don't want to purchase a starter if it won't solve the problem.

I have discovered that when it doesn't start the lights on the dash module are on.

Just a few moments ago after driving home, parking and trying to start the car that it wouldn't start after 8 times turning the key to the start position.

I started to suspect the ignition switch.

Next, I was able to get the car to start several times in a row without a hitch.

Finally, it wouldn't start again.

I just a few moments ago discovered that if I wiggled the key after I had turned the key to the start position the car would start.

Anyone want to agree with me that it sounds like an ignition switch has gone bad after 221,000 miles on the Maxima?

How much do these cost, and are they pretty easy to swap out?

Anyone have a write up on replacing the ignition switch?

I would greatly appreciate anyone's expert opinion of this.

I was thinking of running a wire to the ignition terminal on the starter and running that into a dummy light on the dash so that I could confirm that the starter solenoid was getting power from the switch when it failed, but now it sounds like that might be a waste of time.

Thanks,

White96MaxSE

 

I've had problems with the ignition switch and the starter in the last couple of years.

The starter failed to crank intermittently when I turned the key. It was the starter at fault. The brushes were worn and when it failed to turn, I just opened the hood and knocked the starter with a breaker bar. Changed the starter and it was fine.

I think the ignition switches are also prone to fail. At one point, mine wouldn't start until I put some upward pressure om the key. The ignition switch change is not difficult. Haynes describes it well. Cost about $40.

 

Thanks for your input, boybilly.

I think I will start with the Ignition Switch since it is cheaper.

I'll have to see if I need to order the part from the dealer or if they have it in stock.

I've got the Haynes Manual, so I'll have to look into the install.

Anyone else have any idea?

Thanks,

White96MaxSE

 

Hi;

Just an update on this incident.

Replacing the complete Ignition Switch fixed the problem. It wasn't the starter or the solenoid!

White96MaxSE

 

Good job.

Proph

 

Did you reuse your original key? Or did you have to get a new key cut?

 

You just have to replace the wiring harness with the switch. The ignition lock isn't touched so your original key can still be used. Same thing happened to me with the same fix.

 

Look in the howtos if anyone needs how to do it or a part number for it.

 

See dawg. If you wus like me, you could be havin' yo hoezz fix dat problem. I beez puttin' my hoezz to work, you know what I'm sayin'?!?!?! I beez havin' dem hoezz in da different area codezz!!!11!

 

Actually, In my case, it was not just the switch part, but the whole assembly, so I had to have the ignition switch and lock assembly taken by the dealer to a locksmith, and they made the lock assembly match my key, so that my key continued to match my doors, the ignition, and the trunk lock.

White96MaxSE