I am finally giving up trying to figure out why my maxima won't start. I have been out in the freezing cold weather for weeks trying to figure it out. it tries to turm over but never does. Car has a new battery and starter. plugs are about 2 years old and I have tested all coil packs. fuel pressure is fine. My bests friend is a mechanic and he still has no idea. He even hooked it up to Modis diagnostic tool and couldn't figure out. I have searched this forum for a while and am stuck. I am giving in and towing car to Nissan. This is the first time I haven't been able to figure it out with the help of the forum.

 

Well did you have any codes?

 

starter fuse

 

Fuel Pump fuse

 

no codes. yes i have checked both fuel pump fuse and starter fuse.

 

I had really hard time with starting up my car, also stalling. The whole thing started several weeks ago and finally a CEL showed a code for Camshaft Position Sensor. I replaced it today and it seems to solved all the problems. (stalling,hard starting,misfiring, etc). You can test you CPS to see if that's the cause.

 

According to the FSM Symptom Matrix chart check the foll. for hard start,


1.Fuel pump circuit, Injector circuit, IACV ACC circuit, Ignition circuit, Mass Airflow sensor circuit, Engine coolant temp. sensor circuit
2. IACV FICD valve circuit, EGR circuit,Main power supply and ground circuit, ECM, Start signal circuit, Crankshaft Position circuit (POS,REF)
3. Fuel pressure regulator circuit, PCV system, Incorrect ignition/timing

Items listed under #1 should be checked 1st, #2 2nd. etc


GL!

 

When I had starting issues with the CmPS, it passed the resistance test and all of the FSM procedures. There was nothing wrong or even at the outer ranges of specification. I went around circles a little bit until I just bought the new sensor. That solved it all.

Unfortunately it's hard to say what the problem is if it's a sensor. You have to get the ECU to post a code sometimes to figure out why it's upset. When my CmPS started going bad, it helped to pull the key from the ignition between tries.

Dave

 

Yeah the Cam Position Sensor and also the Crank Position Sensor cause no-starts. So you might want to check yours.

 

your a 5spd, push start that b*tch if all else fails.

 

i also have been goin through the same sh*t, ive replace cam pos sensor, crank postion sensor, spark plugs, fuel filter, O2 sensors,maf sensor,,,and i still have no spark...car still wont start..any ideas?

 

this has been an ongoing problem with a hard start for many months-probably a year. so many i cant remember exactly how long. now car doesn't start. i remember checking either the cam pos sensor or crank pos sensor but cant remember which one. i will have to double check both. in regards to the post about push starting it. I thought that technique was really for just a bad starter. I haven't tried that only because of where car is located pushing it enough to pop clutch would be a pain in the a**. not much room to work with.

 

Maybe it's a ground issue? +1 for cam and crank sensors!

 

My vote goes to the CPS (pos). Lets see what Nissan says.

 

On several of my friends Maxima's, we couldn't get them to start and when we checked everything else, there is a relay up under the dash almost behind the gauge cluster that went out. Our problem was no fuel and no spark.

 

car is being towed to nissan today. I'll update the post with their diagnosis. I can't wait for the bill from the stealership.

 

dont forget to edit the thread " *NWS " when you post what they charged and/or pics of the bill.

 

Please keep us posted. Im having similar problems with my 97 se. I thought it was a bad starter, so I replace that, but something else is wrong now. I hear a click noise when I try to start the car , but it wont turn over. The battery is good and I looked at the starter rely and it does not looked burnt. There is also a noise coming from a part that sits right on top of the manifold right above the rear spark plug bank when I turn the key to the on position. I don't know what that part is called or if it is part of the problem. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

It would be very helpful to find out what your dealer says.

 

When I had starting problems it ended up being the ignition switch died.

I hope yours is simple.

 

Let us know what the resolution was. My daughters car is a 1997 SE 5-speed with the same problem. It just keep getting harder and harder to start until it wouldn't. It had the rear O2 sensor code and Knock sensor code but neither should keep it from starting. I replaced the plugs and there is gas getting into the cylinders. Testing for spark on #2 #4 and #6 because they are easy it looks to me like #6 fires more often than it should and #2 #4 don't fire at all. If I move the #2 and #4 coil packs to the #6 connector the fire. The CPS resistance looks good may change just because. I guess I need to test the CKPS next.

Jim

 

Just got car back from dealership. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. turns out there is a tsb for a ground strap. I think it goes from the trans to the car somewhere.they replaced it and now car starts right up. Thanks for all the info and I hope this helps others with their starting problems.

 

That's interesting. I have a wire that loose that attaches to the tranny, but I haven't had any starting issues. Probably not the same thing. Did you see it? Braided or just a black wire with a connector??

 

Damn that was Crazy97's problem too bad he didn't tell you before this. BTW how much did it cost?

 

I had the same problem as above with my 1996 Maxima -- I replaced the ignition switch and it worked beautifully for a month. Now the problem appears to be coming back, and it seems to be only when the car is "warm". I think my new switch is bad, or loose.

 

could be the ECTS ( engine coolant temperature sensor)