I went to go start my car this morning and it wouldn't start. It started to turn over then it starting making a whinning sound. I tried it a few more times and all it did was whine. I ended up poping the clutch to get it started and then let it run for about 20 minutes. I then re started it and it turned over for a second then the whinning noise again. I tried again and it started. I had to try quick starts to get it to catch it seems like. I had the starter done around a year ago. What do you think it is? I am hoping not the flywheel because who knows how much that cost. I had the tranny rebuilt around 7 months ago and I would think the resurfaced it but I don't know. Does anyone know what my problem is?

 

Could be a bad Battery or Alternator. Is it the battery original? I live in NH and it's been colder than a witch's *** that also could be a contributing factor.

 

could be bad conection btw battery&starter

 

No it isn't that. I have a full battery and the alternator is fine.

 

You need to figure out where the whining is coming from. The whining only occurs with the car not running and during cranking?

 

how many miles on the car?

 

168,000. Yeah the whinning only happens with trying to start. I replaced the starter over a year ago.

 

There's really only 1 solution for this issue...

 

The best thing to do is have it diagnosed at a Nissan Dealer. That way you'll know exactly what the problem is, and can figure out if you can do the work youself and same some $. Going on guessing and replacing parts which might not need replacement can get expensive and still not solve the problem.

 

I would check the grounds. Also there was a thread not too long ago that showed that placing a ground on your starter and transmission helped with startups.

 

Well I just got a call and the new starter is in. They said the total is $250. Do you think that is a lot for a starter?

 

Sounds about right for an OEM starter from Nissan. Should be a core charge of about $60.00.

 

If that includes installation, that is about right. If not, then they are charging you what the dealer would for the part. You can get a lifetime warranty rebuilt from Autozone or others for about $150 more or less. Aftermarket new ones cost about the same.

 

Yeah that was for the part and install. So far so good with the starter. This is my secoind starter replaced. Is that a commom problem with the maxima?

 

Sounds good. It is not unusual for an older car to require a new starter.

Edit: If I were you, I'd consider adding a ground cable from the starter case (ie. bolt that holds in starter) to ground (either neg. battery terminal, body or engine ground). It could save you a lot of headache and future starting issues.

 

What will making another ground cable do?

 

Is your positive cable in good shape. The + cable in my 97 has had it and will be replaced soon. If yours is original it can't be much better. An old cable will cause the problems you are describing.

 

my starter died out, i bought 1 from the junk yard, and it worked for 2 days, and died out, NEVER buy a starter from a junk yard, there bad!

 

i have the same problem. i just bought a 99 SE with man trans. i think the problem is the starter. my also just whines sometimes. it doesnt engage due to bad solnoid. i think> not sure. it can also be a flywheel.

 

It sounds to me like the solenoid is somehow sending current to the starter without popping the starter's gear into the proper position. Be sure your flywheel isn't fried before buying a starter.