Hey guys, car started fine this morning, but when i tried restarting it after I got home, all i got was a faint "click". A little tap on the solenoid got her started and it's been fine for about 2 restarts since. Just wondering if there's a way to repair the solenoid or do I need to get a rebuilt starter? The starter I have has already been rebuilt (maybe a year ago...can't recall). car has lots of miles (242,000), and these little problems are getting on my nerves

 

Just get a replacement starter from AutoZone. Take your old one out, give it to them for core credit and go home with a re-built one from them. They come with lifetime warranties so you'll never have to spend money on it again.

 

i just got my new clutch installed(good news) but the manager told me that im gonna need a new starter soon. How much was yours Igo? I have an autozone about a hop, skip, and jump away.

 

Haven't needed a starter for my Max yet but I have gotten starters from there before for other cars. Always roughly $100 bucks give or take $10-$15 bucks usually.

 

sweet sounds good! Thanks man!

 

I had the same problem, and there is a good chance you don't need a new starter. The problem is that the shaft on which the starter gear slides in and out accumulates dirt from the clutch, and the lubrication dries out. This gear is connected to a lever, which is what the solenoid pulls on to engage everything. Since the gear gets stuck, the solenoid can't pull back on the lever, and nothing happens. You hit it with a screwdriver and dislodge the gear, and the starter works again... for a while.

I didn't want to install questionable rebuilt parts in my car, so I took a couple hours, disassembles my starter, cleaned everything with WD-40, and regreased everything with synthetic Mobile1 bearing grease. Its worked great ever since (AND I saved $165 on that starter from Autozone!).

GregS
'95 GLE

 

thanks for the tip, just wondering if there are any special tools required for the job? Here in Toronto, there are no Autozones, and it's very hard to source certain Maxima parts outside of the dealership (they want some ridiculous amount of money for rebuilt starters).
In the meantime I'll check out www.motorvate.ca, I know her fixed another issue with his starter, maybe I'll learn something else there.

 

No special tools needed whatsoever. It comes apart quite easily. You need a socket set with various extensions to get at the bolts that hold the starter to the car, but that's about it.

Greg

 

Thx, I'll check it out tomorrow. I did notice the first morning crank is a little slow, but my battery is only 6 mths old. I'll meter the voltage and also check the wiring to the starter and the various grounds. Also, will take it apart and regrease, nothing to lose.

 

There are two bolts holding it on, one is a pretty big....I think the front end of my car went down 3 inches before it broke loose....but I live in a corrosive winter environment. So "special tools" consist of a breaker bar and a pipe that fits over it....otherwise a typical socket set will cover it.

$150 from autozone and $70 core.

If the dealer wants over $200 i bet you could easily buy from an online source (thepartsbin.com, autopartsgiant.com) and have it shipped for free and either give up the $70 core charge, or ship it back and come out ahead. Check the yellow pages too....there may be a rebuilder right in your backyard.

good luck,
JB

 

Checked out www.car-parts.com and found a local wreckers here in Toronto just got in a '95 Max. The starter is still on the car, so I have to put a deposit on it for them to yank it out in a rush. They want only $84CAN + taxes and I take it away. Agreed it's used, not rebuilt, but I figure that's a pretty good price. I can stick that in the car and play around with the current one.

BTW I know about those bolts, breaker bar works great thx for the tip.