This morning(and a few times last year) when i was running late to work, i went to go get a drink at a local quick shop, but then i get out and turn the ignition to start and nothing, like normal my radios on, my radar detector is on but the car won't start. It's like everything is normal except the ignition won't go, it won't start, so i was stuck for like a half hour and was even later to work, i just had to wait and restarted the engine and no prob, cept i was really late to work. any one had this prob b4 or know whats causing this? thanks.

 

Well, if it hasn't happened a lot recently, then it's probably not the starter. It might be a fuel pressure problem. Try turning the ignition switch to the "On" position for a few seconds to allow the fuel pump to build pressure, then try to crank it.

 

i had this happen to me. i believe ur starter is bad. from what i heard this is pretty common on 4th gen max. with my 95 max when i go to start my car it would take a long time to start. when it did started it sounded like the starter kept on trying to start even when my car started already. like a starter dragging the engine or something. anyway, this would only happen when the engine is cold. when the weather is really cold i had a really hard time starting my max. after about two months the damn car wouldn't start at all. i had it towed to the dealer. got ripped off but i changed the starter for $500+. i felt better having the dealer work on my car. no more starting problem ever since.

 

I had a friend who had the same problem and it had something to do with her alarm system. Somehow or another, it locked up and she had to wait until the system resets. No problems after that and that happened three years ago.

 

What do you mean "nothing"? If it doesn't even turn over, then maybe it's the starter (but you should at least hear something like the solenoid clicking or even the starter spinning if it's not engaging). If it cranks and cranks but doesn't fire then it's something else (fuel delivery, air, computer, etc.). If it fires and dies then it's (once again) something else. My 95 had problems where it wouldn't start but it would crank over. Like others mentioned, Nissan replaced the starter and it's been no problems since. However, depending on your symptoms, the starter can be an expensive thing to try first if that ain't it.

My 2 cents. If Dan Martin is out there, maybe he can shed some more light from the mechanic side.

-kev

 

I think this mal-functioning of starting has happened to quite a few of us here. Well, it has happened to me a few times, the most recent one was probably a month ago when I was stopping to get some stuff at pep-boys and when I came back and cranked the car, nothing happened. I was pretty scared the first time it happened last year. I have had this car for 1 year now and it has happened probably 4-5 times where I put the key in and crank but it won't start. I think it has to do with the fuel pump problem. There was a post about this probably two months ago where a bunch of us complained about this...but I think a few bottles of fuel injector cleaner, sticking the key in for a few seconds before hand is a good method...

pray mine isn't the starter--it only has 30k.

 

I didn't respond because I couldn't understand the original posting.

Friendly advice to Gotrice4: Help us to help you. Describe the symptoms with as much detail as possible. Be as specific as possible. Don't say "it won't start" because that's vague. Instead, say "it won't crank (Rrr-Rrr-Rrr)" or "it won't fire (Vroom!)".

 

If you turn the key and hear ABSOLUTELY nothing, it's most likely the starter relay.

If you turn the key and the car cranks and cranks but does not fire up, then it's something related to the fuel/air/spark/compression.

If it cranks and cranks then doesn't crank, it's something in the battery/alternator system.

 

nothin happened, i put the key into the ignition turned it to start and nothing, no cranking noise at all, i just turned the key all the way around and nothing no sound no cranking

 

I am pretty sure it is your starter. Mine went bad about 6 months ago. At first it just wouldn't start as quickly and then my problem progressed into it wouldn't start at all.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Gotrice4

Quote:

nothin happened, i put the key into the ignition turned it to start and nothing, no cranking noise at all, i just turned the key all the way around and nothing no sound no cranking

You are reporting an intermittent 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)
- 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 interlock 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. In my personal experience, the interlock relay has been a trouble spot.

 

has anyone gone 100K or above without changing the starter? or is that soemthign that will die before 100K?
in my old acura legend, the starter was good until 150K...before I had to change it...

does anyone know if the starter in the max is the same as in the quest and mercury villager? they had a recall for those cars two or three years back because of starter problems...

any thoughts?

 

Yes; 120,000 miles on 95SE Spd -- Stock --No problems other than two oxygen sensors that Nissan happily replaced under warranty and front brake pads at 115,000 miles. Been one great car! And no, I don't baby the car; Former SCCA GT-1 driver - I only know two speeds "full go" and "full stop." Its a daily driver that's used that way.

 

You went through one brake pads after the frist 115K? that is amazing--I must have gotten ripped off when some dumbass mechanic asked me to change mine after the first 25K...the heck is that all about?

any other maintenance you took upon in the time you owned it? I am curious how often you performed a "tune-up" and changed the spark plugs...

hopefully I still have some ways to go!!!

[/I][/QUOTE]
Yes; 120,000 miles on 95SE Spd -- Stock --No problems other than two oxygen sensors that Nissan happily replaced under warranty and front brake pads at 115,000 miles. Been one great car! And no, I don't baby the car; Former SCCA GT-1 driver - I only know two speeds "full go" and "full stop." Its a daily driver that's used that way. [/I][/QUOTE]

 

Just had Dealership follow the manufacturere's maintenance schedule, all of it. Think the plugs were changed at 75,000 , believe that's the schedule, if not they were changed on the recommended schedule whenever that is. Don't know why the brakes lasted so long, the rears are still on it. Otherwise, I use only Exxon Supreme gasoline, same Goodyear RSA tires (two are still original) and follow the Nissan recommended pressures and use a very good quality air pressure gauge. The car is really easy to care for. As I said before, its a great car.

 

I went 142k miles w/ the original starter and I'd still be racking up the miles if my timing belt didn't snap LOL RIP Max.