Hey guys,

I have a '97 SE 5 speed. I ran 87 octane for 142,000 miles, then switched to 93 octane (Shell) about 215 miles ago.

It was raining pretty bad for the past two days.

I got in the Max, it started up no problem. I drove down the highway for a little bit, hit some puddles. Car was running fine. I parked it and came back to it about 15 minutes later.

It didn't start. When I put the ignition to start, the starter didn't crank. I didn't hear the solenoid clicking either. The idiot lights that come on when the car is on but the engine is running were clicking and flickering (with a faint relay clicking sound) very quickly. It did this for a few seconds, until I pulled the key out and tried again. Then, the exact same thing happened.
The third time, I pushed the clutch really hard, and gave it some gas, and it started up fine.

I drove for about 20 minutes, then stopped to get gas (93 octane Sheetz). The same thing happened - no starting noises, just the idiot lights and climate control lights flickering on and off while faintly clicking. Again, cluch all the way down, gave it gas, and it started.

The next time I tried to start it, the same thing happened, but this time, it didn't go away. I tried about 20 times over 5 minutes to start it, and it only clicked and flickered. The click sounded like it was coming from the dashboard, and was evenly paced with the lights flickering, so I don't think it was the starter solenoid. I even pushed the clutch hard and feathered the gas pedal, but nothing happened. Finally, after about 5 minutes of starting, it cranked right up.

I'm thinking one of two things:
Maybe the ECU is having trouble adapting to 93, or it messed up the fuel pump or fuel filter. But I ran 215 miles on 93 without a problem.
Maybe the starter got wet during one of the many puddles on the road, and that's why it wasn't working at first. This makes more sense because it started up fine this morning, and I only drove about 10 miles before stopping and having the problem begin.

Any thoughts? I didn't see any similar problems posted, but I'll check again.

I parked it on a hill, so I'll leave it there for awhile to see if it dries off, and I can pop the clutch if I have to.

 

Battery or starter problem. Check that battery terminals are clean. If battery is more than five years old consider replacement. Check connections at both battery and starter, they should be clean and tight. You could run a ground wire from the starter as some have suggested. If none of this helps consider testing/changing the starter.

 

I totally agree.

 

As has been said, your problem is almost undoubtedly starter or battery related; the fuel system has absolutely nothing to do with the actual cranking of the engine.

Could also be a bad ignition switch, making intermittent contact with the ignition contacts and none with the starter contact, and you constantly messing with the key is enough to make it work.

 

Sounds like the starter solenoid. The clicking sounds your hear is likely the magnetic charging in the starter... But the solenoid was not engaging...

 

Ignition switch. I had the exact problem. that fixed mine.

 

Just went through all of the starter "stuff". Started (hehe) with the battery, then starter and was fine for a couple of days. Then the ignition switch started getting intermittent. I replaced the ignition switch and man what a difference. I would suggest that they be replaced in tandem. The instuctions for the rebuilt starter even said so....

 

the oct. in the gas has nothing to do with this issue or any future issue with the ecu and to get the starter wet you would have to drive through a pretty good sized puddle and hauling azz to get the starter wet..it is mostly a battery or starter problem..and also if it is coming up on tune up time try that also and see how that works out

 

The problem disappeared after letting the car sit for a few hours and hasn't been back. The ignition was replaced 8 months ago, the starter about 18 months ago.

 

hi there!!

so about the ignition problem ...

you did nothing and got fixed when dry or you fix it by doing something.??

the thing is that i have the same problem, i already took the starter to autozone they tested two times and said "theres nothing wrong with it"
i put it back , but clicking sound appears again but after several tries car starts good, so i bought a used starter at a used auto parts yard, replaced it , but i still hear the clicking sound , 5,6,10,15 clicks then it starts, i am starting to get bulbs in my fingers,

 

So have you not checked all of the connections to the starter? Checked the ignition switch?

 

hello pmohr, i checked the connections in the starter when i replaced it , and i did make sure everything was set good,

about the ignition switch i have not done anything about it, do you think that could be the problem , at first thought about it but since i hear i clicking sound i did not think it was it.

 

Try this thread, especially posts 13 and 18. http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...ml#post7075437

 

My problem went away the next morning. 6 months later, it's never happened again.

edit - damn, I only had 142k back then? I have 147k now... and I didn't drive from 1/15 until 5/1 because I was in school.

 

I had the same problem today, it sounded like a wind up toy was clicking away under my dash and the lights were flickering while the key was in the "on" position, when I cranked it to start nothing happend, everything just died, after a few attempts and a trip under the hood, it randomly just started up as normal, I didn't have the problem the rest of the day today, but I am scared... I do have corrosion on the battery which I will clean up (this weekend, no time now, I know how bad that sounds), but any other signs that it could be the starter?

When this first happend this morning, I was first thinking it's my key, or maybe that ignition switch because a few days ago I found out (I have a 5 speed btw) that the button you press to release your keys stayed out, and I've been taking out the keys in the "I" position, which explains the ANNOYING beeping in my car and also why my keyless didn't work... Could this be something that is damaged and would cause the starting problems?

And one more thing.... Another problem with starting my car is whenever it's HOT outside, but the engine is cold, it takes a good 5 or more seconds to crank over, I am watching the other thread with a similar issue, but now that I'm up in Kansas I cannot get the same issue up here (not hot enough), I did take a video of one of the longer start ups I've had, but it's certainly not one that worrys me, one day I'll catch it on camera for you guys...

Media:

While driving after the clickity clak start up the security light stayed on...


Videos of my long start up (They're usually longer than this if it's hot enough outside and the engine is cold)
[Warning: My radio is blaring in the end, sorry for that]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxHN-KW9Vvc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b54Umr_krA

 

Shrink the image, 1600x1200 inline (just to show a lit up LED?) is just not cool.

The clicking is likely your corroded terminals, that's the first thing to rule out. That should fix the problem (make sure they're tight as well), if it doesn't then we'll troubleshoot further.

 

Hindsight is 20/20, plus you posted to soon, I edited it to use a thumbnail later... I didn't know my phone took pics that big , I will get back to you guys this weekend.

 

Alright just cleaned em off, it took even longer to start than in the videos today, but I still can't imitate the really long 6 second cranks like back in houston, I had one last night, but it was only 80, and the car wasn't cold.

 

Now she's completely dead , well on my way to pick up a new battery... even though when I tested it earlier it was fine, but now I'm pretty much positive that it's the battery, the car doesn't do anything now.

 

I had the same thing! When I tried to start there was nothing no clicking no reset of the dummy lights but my radio and headlights all worked and there was no CEL.

But for some reason a jump start turned the car on and it stopped having problems since. Although I know I am going to regret not looking into it and finding what failed I am not planning on keeping my Maxima long and so I am just going to run it until it dies then lovingly sell it.

 

Contact cleaner is your buddy. It will displace moisture and dry out. Electrical problems can be intermittent and spotty like that. I suspect it's a humidity, not direct moisture issue, but that's just a guess.

 

It's completely unresponsive, the only thing now is a clicking/winding that goes away when I put the key in, but when the key is out of the ignition the clicking/winding comes back, absolutely nothing else works in the car, no interior lights, headlights nothing.

 

Have you checked to see if the battery has power?

Where is the clicking coming from when the key is out? If something is clicking, the battery has at least some state of charge.

 

Under the dash, I'm thinking it's coming from the middle of the car, like the behind/under the radio.

And I don't have a way to check it now, car is too far away from autozone. Unless I can just wire something to the battery to test it. (I don't have a voltmeter up here)

 

Oh then your battery is dead, I am sure previous posters have already mentioned this haha. But a jump start should surely help you start the car. And I just re-read your post and you said that it clicks when the key is OUT? Never have heard of that before, haha sorry

But for my starting problem there wasn't a clicking but the lights all worked. Which is almost the opposite of what you are having haha.

 

If it's any help, I did end up needing a replacement battery a few months after I had this issue, and my terminals were loose. I was still within the pro-rated warranty, so I got a new Nissan battery, and thin metal sheath spacers for the terminals to fit better. No more starting problems. Except when I changed my PCV valve and accidently unclipped the cylinder 3 coil connector.

 

It's more of a wind-up toy noise, that I hear only when the key is in any position, ACC/ON/START, it goes away when I turn on the lights (go figure), now that I'm sure I need a new battery, I'm just wondering what that noise is though...

Yah I'm on my way to getting that new battery tonight, just need to get a ride lol.