This is on a 97 manual car I sold to a family member several years ago.
It cranks very fast with no pauses but never fires. You can do this until the battery is drained.
If it is push started thought it fires right up on the first try with no issues. Only happens in cold weather if the car has been sitting for about 8 hours or more. It had the same problem last year but I thought I had it fixed until it dropped down to 45 degrees the other night and didn't start.
No CEL or any drive ability problems.

Any one have any ideas why it wont start with the starter but will by being push started?

 

Might have something to do with the clutch safety switch...I'd look at that.

 

Clutch safety switch would keep it from cranking. He states it cranks fine. Just won't fire.

This is a long shot, but I wonder if it could be something with the Crank or Cam Position Sensor??

Just had another thought. Are you sure the starter is turning the motor over?? If the starter is turning, but not engaging the flywheel that would be the difference of why you can push start it.

When you try to crank it has someone stood over the motor and watched the belts turn??

 

hey joe, I had the same problem about a year ago. I fixed it by running a new ground wire straight from the battery to bellhousing. See post 29 here:
http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...t-problem.html

There may be a more detailed writeup if you search ground start in the 4th gen forums you'll prolly find one.

 

+1 fflint

clean yur battery contacts, change the starter or ignition switch

 

Ignition switch

 

It's not a grounding issue if it were there would be a pause in the cranking. I don't see how it could be an ignition switch either. I think I changed it last year. Please explain the reasoning why the switch would not work when the temps drop down but works fine any other time.

 

Just another guess. I wonder if you have low fuel pressure.

Try turning the key to ON and waiting for sevarl seconds until the prssure builds.

And then try to start it.

This is just a guess here, but when you push start it I assume that you have the key turned on for a bit.

The part about pumping the pedal tweaked somoething in the back of my brain.

Hope this helps.

 

re grease the starter.

 

I've heard of this problem before, and it ended up being an engine coolant temperature sensor. Maybe it's worth looking into that.

 

+1 on that! thats would be my answer as well.