95 Maxima Auto:

Has always had it's problems starting. Now when I turn the key to start it, I get a bunch of clicks. When I leave the ignition on (but not trying to turn it over) I hear a quick but soft ticking around the front side of the tranny. there's something that protrudes from the tranny, roundish, with a "#7" on it. Sounds like it might be coming from there...

Any idea? Maybe starter?

 

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sounds like the starter

 

I would bet on the starter.....depending on how many times you tried to crank it with a bad starter you will either need to charge the battery or buy a new one.

Dub

 

That thing with the seven is not the starter. Follow the postive line from the battery and you will find a zinc finished cylinder. Thats the starter. The clicking when the car is in the on position is normal. It should go away after a few seconds but should come back when the gas is depressed. Don't worry about those clicks. The clicking that you get while the key is in the start position is the issue. I've never had a bad starter but that sounds like it could be. Check all the connections. I mean all of them. I often unplug a connection while working on something and forgot to plug it back in. The result is often no start. Then take the required steps to check the starter itself.

 

A bad starter definately clicks. I have had 2 go on my Max and they just click and click and click and click and..........

 

yeah sounds like the solenoid is fine because it is clicking, but the motor isnt turning, you can take out the starter and check if the grease it all gummy now, regrease and test it by connecting it toh ebattery to see if teh motor spins on the starter.

 

OK, I had Autozone check the starter and it's engaging fine. I'm bringing another battery with me tomorrow just to verify it's not the battery though I'm pretty positive it's not.

The ticking stays on no matter how long the key is left in the on position. It only goes away when I move the throttle rotor. Is there a fuel pump or something fuel related that could cause this soft ticking?

 

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Anyone?....

 

whenever i forget to turn my lights off and my battery dies, if it's got a little juice but not enough to crank then it makes a clicking noise, have you tried a jump start or charging the battery? also the ticking your describing could be coming from an idle controller, and a mech. with 30+ years under his belt told me it was pretty normal to get the clicking while in acc

hope this helps

 

Well, it winded up being the battery. i was able to jump it off and I let it run for 15 minutes at idle. Cut it off and then tried to immediately start it and more clicking. One battery later and it's like it was before (hard start but turns over every time). Next job is to check the crank position sensor...