shadygrey

I really want to get a new one since mine makes that grinding right after I start it. Here's the link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cg...ndexURL=0&rd=1

sislen

It sounds like we have a similar problem. My '97 Maxima (53,000 miles) has recently started to grind when I start it. It sounds like the solenoid is sticking to the flywheel. After the motor starts, the starter grinds for about 1 second.

The problem occurs more frequently on rainy or humid days. It usually only makes this "grinding" noise when the engine is cold.

The dealer (of course) told me that the Nissan OEM starters are superior to any aftermarket starter out there. I'm currently getting quotes for a new OEM starter. The prices range from $246 to about $300. Each dealer requests that you return the starter "core" once you replace the old one.

That starter on E-Bay seems ok, but is there a warranty on it? The seller didn't mention anything about a warranty. I would email him and ask(but I noticed that you already submitted a bid on the item).

I need one too, but the guy on E-Bay sounds like he has plenty of starters in stock. I won't try and bid up your price. If I decide to get one, I will just wait until he puts another one up for bid.

shadygrey

I'm going to ask him about a warranty and see what he says. He said that he sells them outright for $119 so u should e-mail him insteadof waiting for another one to pop up at e-bay. I'm not going to bid over $119 since he quoted me at that proce after i lost the first bid on another starter. Thanx again.

hattyhat

I have a 96 Max with about 90,000 miles on it. My starter was making that same grinding noise after I started my engine about 5 months ago. 1 month ago, my starter quit. So if you can find a good price I would get one. Better now than when you are stranded. I got a new one instead of getting mine repaired or buying a used one. I got a two year free roadside warrenty on mine. It was $350 installed from a local mechanic. I would replace yours ASAP.

RandyMax

Mine's been grinding for about 4 months now. Wonder when it's gonna die on me...

clee130

My starter has been dying for about a year now. And this week, it was real bad. Can wouldn't start for several minutes a couple of time.

So I changed it today. Went to Nissan and bought one for $240. Went home and changed it myself instead of paying Nissan another $160. Easy as pie.

RKS

I bought a re-built starter (they are mostly all re-built) from a local auto parts store for about $175.
The install is not complicated and only requires removing two bolts but I had to remove my intake to get to the bolts.
The starter I bought has a lifetime warranty.
The replacement starter for a 95 had like 5 or 6 teeth, but Nissan found that design to be flawed and began making them with more teeth. I believe that the new design works in all 4th gens.

sislen

My starter has been grinding for almost 6 months now. The dealer told me that the teeth on the starter are made with a softer metal than the mating teeth on the flywheel.

Has anyone ever replaced a starter that had been grinding for 6 months and realized that the flywheel teeth are ground down?

Does anyone have any brand name recommendations for aftermarket starters with a good warranty? I'm tempted to go out and pay the extra money for the Nissan starter. The best price I found was about $245+tax at a local dealer.

But then again I'm also tempted to just buy the cheapo $119 starter from the guy on E-Bay and use the extra $126 for other things that I need.