I know this isn't the first post about this, however, I am not sure if I diagnosed my issue properly.

96 Manual Transmission here. Sometimes it starts, sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't, it "clicks"...flashes my interior lights and radio. I turn the key multiple times before it works...sometimes after 10-20 tries.

I bought an ignition switch (electrical part, no cylinder) because I thought that was the problem. The more I read, I'm thinking it's the starter. Can anyone help me with this?

Thanks...

 

Did you already replace the swich? If you have it already, just replace it and see if that works.

 

Replace the switch, THEN post..

 

www.jrnissanparts.com
IGNITION SWITCH 487501E411 $26.99 (free ship)

How to replace it: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....gnition+switch

Did mine a little while ago - took me half hour since the upper and lower cover wouldn't line up right (was able to put in 3 of the 4 screws) but the car starts every single time now

 

Thanks a lot guys, I'll replace the switch and post back.

 

Did that help cuz Im having the same problem my car doesn't start at all. never has. clicks under dash when I try to start

 

No, I wasn't strong enough to get the screws off of the metal plate. oh well. I brought it to my mechanic. He said it was probably the starter but could be the switch. He really has no idea. I DO get the click from the dash... He said if it was the starter it would be a loud click coming from the engine. Mine sounds a little more like a blinker. Does anyone have any input in this?

 

I forgot to add, sometimes my car makes a loud screeching noise coming from the engine compartment when starting. I heard it may be a starter problem? It's a manual transmission.

 

thats probably just your ac/accessory belt. if it gets old itll slip all over the place and thats the noise

 

I got a noise coming from the engine too and under the dash. I took off my starter yesterday and took it to an autoshop store they checked it for me and said it is drawing too much voltage or something like that. Its supposed to draw between 80 min and 120 max and mine was at like 163 so they said that would prevent the car from starting and even cranking over which is the problem I have. The weird thing is that the car only has 23,000 miles but it has been in a couple of accidents so maybe that messed up the starter.
I'm going to swap starters from my other max and see what happens.

"ghettogeek" - you should check your starter too it sounds like it might be the same problem. Shouldn't take more than 30 min to take it out.

 

I tried the switch but it didn't work. The car starts now that it's colder (or that I drive it less?) but it takes a while at times...no clicking just a lot of hesitation. Probably the starter, eh?

 

Check here for pics on installing a new ignition switch if anyone's interested.

 

Thank you for the helpful link.