Just returned from vacation so the max has been sitting a few days. Usually when it sits for awhile it sounds dry when you start it, runs rough for a couple seconds before the oil pressure gets up. Well 10 min ago I was leaving for work and it didn't start the first time I keyed it. The second time I turned the key all I get is the starter motor spinning.

Any ideas? Looks like I am not going to work today. Hafta get a service manual and some parts and start spinning wrenches...

Here's the details on the car: '99 Maxima SE Limited automatic, 65k.

 

could be a bad soleniond. its attached to the starter and its what edgauges the starter to the flywheel/flexplate. you could try tapping it with a block of wood or something, but if that doesnt work chances are its no good. a new starter is over $100 with a core. if your good with mechanic stuff it should take you no longer than 1 hour to replace.

 

Kudos to the engineer that came up with that connector. I can't get it apart. I have the harness bracket removed from the steering stem, the positive cable removed from the bracket and have poked prodded pulled and pried everything associated with the connector to no avail. Anybody?

 

Yeah. If the starter motor is turning full speed, and the car is not either it is not pushing to engage the ring gear. Or you stripped your ring gear. Simple as that. pull teh starter regardless and swap it. If the ring gear is shot then be ready to change it and shell money out.

 

Steering stem?
Starter is in the engine compartment. Am I missing something here?

 

there is no ground, since is bolted to the tranny/block. all you have to unbolt is the positive side from the battery and one little wire to the solenoid.

 

On my old and replacement starters that wire is soldered to the starter, it must be unclipped from a corresponding plug at a terminal just above the starter. This terminal is bolted to the same assembly as the steering stem (my verbiage) as it travels down toward the steering rack from the firewall.

Anyway I can't get that plug apart, although I did manage to remove the plug from the retainer on the bracket which was a real PITA as well.

 

Take a pic of the connector you can't get apart and post it on imageshack.us - and the post us a link.

 

Somehow I don't think it will work but here goes:

http://www.photoworks.com/albums/pic...b=PW&svr=web29

 

Picture worked - I can't see the connector up close.. did you turn it around - looks like a standard clip-connector to me...

You said you have a new starter right - what does the connector on that wire look like? Spray some intake cleaner all over the connector - both sides, it's probaby just gummed up with dirt and thats what is binding it together and not letting it come apart.