My 1999 Maxima GXE occasionally makes a strange whirring, whining noise after starting, usually in the morning.
Is the beginning of the end of the starter?

 

Sounds like the starter. You could take it apart and regrease it or just replace it...which ever is easier for you.

 

i got that too its no bigdeal goes away after started so i wouldn't worry about it.

 

whenever i start my car (unless it has Just been turned off and is still hot) it makes that whining noise. I am going to, in a few days, narrow down what it is, to see if it really is the starter.

 

The reason I said it's the starter is because last year I was getting that whinning sound first thing in the morning or in the evening when I'm leaving work. It went on for three months and the next thing I know I tryed starting it one morning and nothing. Cost me a 150.00 to have the starter replaced. recently I started hearing the same sound again and I was told by a nissan tech that the oil in the starter drys out afetr a while causing the gear to rub against the wall of the starter upon start up. If it's not taken care of you will end up replacing it.

 

Mine makes an awful screaching noise when it is cold. It is prob the starter.

 

well....looks like i need to take care of it.

So can i just regrease it up?

 

Depends... in my opinion if it's the original starter I would replace. If you have the time to take it apart and the gears look good to you, then you could take the chance to regrease it...but that's totally your call.