Hey guys,

Maybe someone can chime in.

This past weekend I scored an 1997 maxima for a cash car for my wife to scoot around town.

I am little concern about the way it starts.

It sounds like when I turn over the engine, it take about 4 seconds to get it turned over. It sounds like as if the battery is weak and almost dead.
However, I did take the car to get the battery tested and it passed with flying colors.

Anyone else have any ideas what it could be?


(this is an automatic (fyi))
Thanks all

 

Does the car start everytime?

If its taking a little while to start...there are a couple of culprit under the heading of fuel delivery or starter circuit. If its taking a lil while to turn over then the fuel pump may be crapping out. But if thats the case, then the car will stutter sometimes upon accelerating too. When starters go bad...the car will either start of not. Period.

I think take a look at the Haynes manual and see what it says. There is a troubleshooting menu in the front of the book that should be able to narrow it down. If u dont have one maybe one of our kind members will hook u up.

Good luck

 

No hesitation / stutter and it does start everytime it just sounds like a weak battery if you get the idea.
I would call out for bad starter, but its not like the starter solenoid is not click or does nothing (like a dead battery would).
My guess is it can be a weak starter?? I mean since the battery past the battery test?

I doubt its the fuel filter / system. Car runs great once it's on

 

Starter is easy to pull and get tested. If it's the original starter replacing it will prevent issues in the future.

 

it could be the ignition switch.

 

U think it can be the issue?

Not sure if it is the original starter since it does have 180K (miles)

 

Yeah...Might be the ignitions switch.

Whitemaxima was havin similar issues with his car having trouble starting. only cost him like 25 bucks for a replacement ignition switch. His thread is in the 4th gen max section.

Its jus funny that the car would crank for 4 or 5 seconds. Maxi's dont do that. Still check the starter too.

 

YEAH IGNITION SWITCH 25 BUCKS @ http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...?siteid=214865

 

I am gonna check all the grounds and also if same occurs, then I will pull out the starter to get tested.

I'll post back the report. Thanks all

 

Yeah, If it is the ignition or the starter either are a pretty easy fix. Be sure to check out the pmohr thread on changing the switch, there's also a great vid on there. Good luck.

 

So whats the deal on the ignition switch? Does this mean that a new key for the ignition "if" I need to replace this switch?

 

NO, you need not replace the lock cylinder just the small electrical part behind the cylinder. Check out pmohr's thread on this, it's very detailed with good clear pics. Cost you about $30 for a new one.

 

I'm having same issue - car takes a few seconds to start, sometimes multiple cranks. Starter has been replaced (about 40k miles ago). Battery is new, contacts are clean, car runs smoothly. How do I diagnose the ignition switch?

 

sounds like its the ignition switch.... not 100% sure but can autozone check this out?

 

I am having this issue also. I m just looking into this so this may be dumb question. but why would the ignition switch be faulty if the engine cranks? Does it control fuel delivery at startup ? If my car sits Overnight it requires 3-4 cranks before it engages, then proceeding startups are normal. My intial thought was fuel delivery, fuel pump or some valve that stops fuel from draining back to gas tank, leaving the fuel line with air.

 

Hey guys.... where is a DIY instructions on the installation of a Ignition Switch?

I am going to go on ahead and put a new one in. Thanks all.