I have a 96 Maxima GLE and during the last couple of days when I turn the key the starter sometimes doesn't turn over. (All the indicator lights work as advertised, and there's no click, click, click indicating a problem with the battery.) If I turn the key to the off position and try to restart the car it usually works after 4-5 tries. I noticed that this starting problem began about a month ago when I had to turn the key farther and farther (more counterclockwise) to activate the starter. I suspect it's either an ignition switch or starter problem. Any ideas?

 

Sounds like a problem with either:

-starter switch

-ignition interlock switch, this is the one which prevents you from starting the car unless you are in P or N

-starter solenoid (connected to the starter, can be replaced separately of the main starter unit)



I believe both Chiltons and Haynes have the diagnostic procedure for the starter solenoid.

 

You are reporting a no-crank problem.

Always do the easy check first. If your vehicle is a 5-speed, make sure the clutch pedal is all the way down when you twist the key to START. If automatic, jiggle the shifter while attempting to crank. Try cranking in both Park and Neutral. If those steps are unsuccessful, consider ...

- discharged battery (dim headlights with engine off)
- weak battery (check voltage at terminals while cranking)
- loose or dirty battery terminal connections at the battery
- loose or dirty battery-to-body ground connection
- loose or dirty battery-to-engine block connection
- bad ignition switch
- bad clutch safety switch (5-speed)
- bad neutral safety switch (automatic)
- bad inhibitor relay
- bad solenoid
- bad starter

The starter is an expensive item so I would check the other items before
spending the money on a replacement.

 

My 97 Auto does the samething. Sometimes I turn it, and it doesn't click or anything. I just turn it back and turn it again and it usually works fine.

 

You are reporting a no-crank problem.

Always do the easy check first. If your vehicle is a 5-speed, make sure the clutch pedal is all the way down when you twist the key to START. If automatic, jiggle the shifter while attempting to crank. Try cranking in both Park and Neutral. If those steps are unsuccessful, consider ...

- discharged battery (dim headlights with engine off)
- weak battery (check voltage at terminals while cranking)
- loose or dirty battery terminal connections at the battery
- loose or dirty battery-to-body ground connection
- loose or dirty battery-to-engine block connection
- bad ignition switch
- bad clutch safety switch (5-speed)
- bad neutral safety switch (automatic)
- bad inhibitor relay
- bad solenoid
- bad starter

The starter is an expensive item so I would check the other items before
spending the money on a replacement.

 

turns out my ground to engine block connection was loose, I bolted it down nice and tight and NO trouble now

 

All I got to say is that you better fix the problem quick or you might just be stuck with a car that wont start... like me...

 

.. If you have an auto tranny, what used to happen in my car is, the shifter would be in park but car wouldn't start, the problem was a shifter bushing or something of that sort, the tranny was not fully engaged in Park or that is what the car thought. Car is not supposed to start in anything but Park or Neutral. Try to move the shifter around a bit, or throw it in Neutral and see if it starts...

 

I remember that happened to my mom driving my car, that thing would start in the middle of a gas station. Luckly i knew someone that works and at nissan dealership and he got me a starter lik-a-di-split.

BTW, nice one with those reponses Dan. Double Take