Anyone have any ideas on why occasionally the starter will just spin and not turn the motor over occasionally? Has anyone else seen and fixed this? It does it about 40% of the time and I can't find any rhyme or reason as to why it does it vs when it doesn't do it.

Anyone?

 

Does it sound close to starting over?

 

No, it never actually turns the engine when it's doing it. It just spins the starter and doesn't effect the engine at all...

 

O.k., then it isn't what I thought it 'might' be. It just sounds like a plain old bad starter. I would remove it from the car (not too tough a job) and have it bench tested for free at AutoZone, Kraegan, etc. Good luck.

 

solenoid maybe......not kicking the gear out

 

Go ahead and replace it. Sounds like your gear is spinning but not sticking out and engaging the flywheel.

 

smack it with a wrench a few times and it should start.....seriously.

 

yep, time to replace it!

 

If you replace a starter yourself, you might as well try re-greasing before buying a new starter. That is, if you haven't tried it yet. I did this a few months ago and I haven't had a single occurence of starting issue since then.

 

re- grease it, its simple and cheap.
make sure you try to get grease on the shaft that holds the teeth.
the teeth are the ones that connect with the flywheel to turn the motor over. when your done the teeth should slide in and out of place really smoothly. this is more likely your problem.

 

Well, it works occasionally so the re-greasing sounds about right.

I had it tested by Autozone about a year ago and it was fine. I had a bad sensor that was keeping me from starting.

I'll tell you, I really like this maxima aside from the starting issues! once I get her started, she's really nice to drive!

I'll try greasing it up. What kind of grease? Does it matter?

 

123
10 char

 

WTF
10char

 

Motorvate says synthetic lithium soap grease, but I went to Autozone and bought one on the shelve. I think it was like "DuraBlend synthetic blend grease" or something. I read the label but didn't put much thought. They were cheap anyway no matter what I choose.

Hopefully re-greasing will fix your problem.

 

OK, took it all apart and greased it with Moly EP grease and it is still doing it. I guess it's the solenoid?

 

You dont want to try my cave man aproach? I was completely serious when I said it. In the 2.5 years I have owned my car, my starter has done this 2 or 3 times and tapping it with a wrench or screw driver or what ever made it start right up. Just tap the solenoid housing and the gear housing and it should pop right out.

 

I've replaced 2 starters in the 95 and 96 Maximas I've owned in the past. It seems they are a common failure point.

 

That's just not a convenient thing to do all the time. If it's broke, I'd rather fix it and move on than having to pop the hood and bang away at the solenoid.

The car has come a long way from what it used to do. I could hardly get it to start, even if the starter did engage right. I added a grounding point from the battery to the 14mm bolt and made sure all battery connection points where solid (they were a bit loose) and it starts a lot better...although it does just spin occasionally.

I'll try this though until I can find the money to buy a new starter...

I also had to change that sensor down by the oil filter...

 

anyone got the link on how to replace it?

 

This link has how to remove the starter too...

http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/516

 

You also now need to run one more wire from the 14mm bolt to any bolt on the other side of the trans. The starter grounds through the trans so you need to make a "jumper strap", if you will. I think this will solve your problem. Give it a shot.

- Josh

 

So from the same 14 bolt that was from the battery should go to a tranny to engine bolt on the other side of the tranny? Think it will help with the spinning (lack of engagement)?

 

thanks for the link that was really helpful!

 

Yes sir.




.

 

Bump with update. Added 8 gauge wiring as described above. Didn't help. It goes from the battery to the starter to the other side of the tranny (bottom)...

Any other ideas?

Also, what is the little clip/connector(s) that sits right at the positive side of the battery on the cable?

 

i was quoting him, trying to mean i agree

 

Just to update...I replaced the starter with one from Advanced and it starts right up everytime! No spinning or joking or anything...

And got me an 11 tooth starter from a 99 too...