Ok since I got this to work now. Anyhow I have a 96 maxima with 55,000 miles on it. I bought it last summer in August and I live in souther Wisconsin. During cold start ups probably below 40 degrees or so, when I crank the motor over there is a squeal/grinding noise that dies away when the engine turns over sometimes it happens then for about a split second it will go away then do it again then it will go away totally after about 2-4 seconds. A few times the car wouldn't struggle to turn over, almost start then die out. I would try to crank it over again and it wouldn't start at all. I have to have someone hold the throttle body under the hood down or accelerator or whatever the heck revs the motor while i crank the ignition to get it started if the car doesn't start. Since this has been plaguing me I have had a friend replace the starter and one of the belts to no avail. He did notice some wear on the flywheel but we didn't look at the extent. He said it didn't look bad at all. But we will be taking a closer look now. I heard it could be spark plugs for the starting problem or i might need a new fuel filter. I want to fix both of these problems. Since then the engine light came on but we are replacing the bank one sensor. My car was not affected by the injector recall campaign either. I'm perplexed any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

The noise you hear at start-up is very common for 4th gen Maximas; it is the starter motor. Many have had this noise for years with no apparent ill effects.

The starting problem you have is also very common; it is usually attributed to low initial fuel pressure. All you have to do is put the key in the run position for 15 seconds before you try to start the car. This will give the electric fuel pump a chance to build pressure.

It would probably be a good idea to change the plugs and filters as you indicated. I think that they are listed on the 60K scheduled maintenance list.

 

squeak/squeal noise can be caused by a loose belt as well if it goes away after several seconds.

-V

 

In the winter, when i start the car in the morning, the belts would have this whiny noise--"eeeeeeeee" nose and would go away after a few minutes when the car is warmed up...I think it has to do with the moisture in the air or that collects on the belt overnight when it is very cold.
hasn't happened since the winter passed...thank god!! that noise was driving me insane.