Hi guys,

Follow up of http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=439966

I took the car to the dealer... again. They did a lot of testings on my car and found nothing wrong with the harness, sensors and ECU. So they asked to replace my new reman starter (8 teeth) with their OEM reman starter (11 teeth...400Cad).
Aparently that was the problem. Now the car starts like a new one. That cost me 850Cad (4.5 hours + starter + taxes)
I have spent also 150Cad on CkPS (ref) and ETCS... that I don't need them

 

Too bad I didn't see this thread earlier... could have helped you. Non Nissan starters will cause problems on the 4th gens. Not the same cranking speed etc... I have a friend who replaced hers with an aftermarket brand and sure enough, 0407 codes etc. Luckily for her the car still starts, although not as nicely.

 

FYI, there was Nissan TSB out for this problem.

 

WHat is TSB?

 

Technical Service Bulletin

 

Glad you solved your problem a3gus. I am gonna pull out my new/rebuilt starter and count the teeth. I'm pretty sure it's a remanufactured Nissan but I'm gonna check that too. I read the TSB about the upgrade starter for 95 cars with compression problems, but the TSB said the 96 cars had the upgraded starter. is there another TSB? This new engine did have one low compression cylinder but it runs so good once you jump start it I'm gonna retest. I don't think my first test was accurate.
What a ordeal. I have wasted a bucket of money and time but I'll still be ahead if I get this running right. Total cost will be about $1000.00 (includes$400 for the engine), but that's ok I guess if I get a reliable car out of this.
Film at 11:00.
Jon

 

Does it really take 4.5 hours to change a starter?

 

Yeah, it took me all of about 25 mins, and i suck at life....4.5 hours?!?!?

 

Shops charge hours listed for a particular service, regardless of how long they actually spend on the job. So if "the book" calls for 4.5hrs labor on the starter, you get charged for 4.5hrs, even if they do it in 3mins. And trust me, they make a killing on shortcuts to save time and charge you book labor. Just to be fair, they are trying to make a living on services.

 

First time I've ever heard of that ...


:O

 

Move all the air filter stuff then 2 bolts- whats it takean amateur- 1 1/4 hours off and 1 1/4 on?
Anyone done it?

 

Takes me ~ 15 minutes ....

 

just need a big *** breaker bar with a pipe... neways same shiet happens to mine, the car would go ttttttttvrooom, and i have a refurbish starter from partsauthority..this wont damage anything will it??

 

yer darn right and that should be the most unless you are an idiot and cant get two bolts out and a couple wires
2damax- why do u need a breaker bar weakling

 

lol because the heat from my auto tranny melted the screws...

 

ummmm

 

^^^ Absolutely true. We pull the times from All Data, thats how we bill the customer. Tech's should be working at 175% efficency in order for the business to actually make money. If the "book" says 5 hours, a good tech should be able to get it done in just under 3 hours.

Same applies for the collision repair industry. All the billing is computer controlled, and the software development is driven by your insurance company.

 

You should of tooken it to a service shop like BrakeMasters and get it done in less than an hour and save hundreds on labor.

 

4.5 hours was not for changing the starter.
was for finding the problem, tests, cheching TSB, and so on.......

 

So I took my new/rebuilt starter back to the parts store and they exchanged it for a 10 tooth rebuilt (it doesn't say Nissan on it). No difference, still coding 0407. Will a "Nissan" starter make so much difference that a car that won't start at all will suddenly get better or should I still be looking for another problem? Can anyone point me to the TSB that speaks to all this.
Jon

 

so wuts the right one? 10 or 11 teeth?

 

Thats what we're trying to find out. Is the 11 tooth starter an upgrade/ remedy for anyone having starting problems? The parts store doesn't even list a 11 tooth unit.

 

The part number is 23300-2Y900R (for 11 tooth starter). I would attach some pictures but I cannot.... probably I'm too newbie for that???

 

It was a Nissan TSB for motors with lower than normal compression that were having starting issues.

 

You sure it's 11 toothed? I've only heard of 8 and 10 for our cars. oem starters really don't say "nissan" but a small nissan emblem outline is seen in the metal case. I think oem is hitachi but don't quote me.

 

The starter fixed my cranking issue for about a week then it went back to crap.
Report back in a couple of days if it still is "fixed".

Thanks,

Mike

 

I'm sure for 11 tooth, I counted them. The starter was changed 2 weeks ago and my max still starts fine. I would attach a picture of the starter but I cannot....

 

Anyone know if you can just replace the 8 tooth drive on the starter with a 10 tooth or do you have to buy a whole new starter?

Also, are there any interface problems with the flywheel when changing from an 8 to a 10 tooth?

I just removed the starter on my 95' and counted 8 teeth.

 

I've never heard of anyone even selling the starter drive separately. I think your best bet would be to just get a rebuilt starter. Autozone has them and there is a lifetime warranty. On the off-chance they give you an 8tooth starter, just tell them you want a different one (without even installing it). There is no problem inserting a 10 tooth starter in 1995s and those 1996 that had the 8 tooth one.

 

My starter crapped out on me about 6 weeks ago. I replaced with an Autozone starter (free lifetime warranty). Haven't had any problems, eg long starts, or codes.

 

OK, I replaced my starter about 2 months ago. The symptom I'm getting is... Crank, slow start, sometimes feels like it's not getting enough power, but 3 year old Optima red top tests good...

Suggestions????

Thanks,

 

I had problems with my 4th Gen starting so I swapped the starter from the 2k2, they both are 11 tooth. Its rolls over faster but probably because its newer. It also didn't fix the starting problem.

 

CPS

Check starter again. ..

 

My 96 was in the shop for 3 weeks, tried fuel pump, ignition switch, new ground for fuelpump. Finally after the called two Nissan Techs, a new ground for the engine solved the cranking issue. Apparently the grounds on the Maxima's are notorious for going bad (especially the one to the transmission). Getting ready to drop off my 95 to have them re-done, since they know exactly where they are and time(labor) will be down to a minimum. (Also, the bad ground shorted out my MAF) ouch.

 

^^ Hadn't thought of that.


I did mine for 8$ and 20 minutes ...

 

^^^ did it help?

Tranny ground is kind of a piddly cable. Looked fine to me but maybe it's oxidized in the jacket. Just wondering if replacing it did anything for you.

 

Well, my car was dead in a casino parking lot due to dead gnds.. So yeah.. it helped.

 

Does anyone have any more info on the ground wires such as a write up or pictures? I searched the FSM but couldn't find anything. What are the part numbers of the new wires? I plan to work on my hard starting problem this weekend - hopefully the starter/ground wires will fix my problem.

 

My car is having the same problem and now it won't start at all. What parts of my Max should I worry about grounding the most?

 

Check the ground on top of the front bank valve cover(2-3 small black wires grounded under a screw), the main ground from battery to frame to engine block (the heavy black cable) and the ground from the top of the tranny to the frame just behind the battery. I won't hurt to take them all apart and sand or wire brush everything, even if they all look good.
Hope this helps.
Jon