For a while now, my car has been cranking over slower and slower during startups so I anticipated for the starter to go out. Its been about 2 weeks or so since I initially realized the slow starting until today where the car wouldnt even start but would only make a single click, not even crank over unless it was pop-started. Charged the battery in the car and even swapped the battery that was in the car with a known working one but still no dice so Im going to go ahead and buy a new starter. Only thing I was unsure about is that my 4th gen has an 01 ae lsd tranny. Does that have any affect on which starter I need or will a 4th gen starter bolt up perfectly fine? FYI: Car is a 97.

 

Check the battery and alternator cables for corrosion, especially the large ground cable. Typically starters don't start slowing down before they fail, although I suppose that is possible.

 

i just recently replaced a starter on my 95 and it was definitely slowing down for weeks before it just wouldn't turn over anymore. put a new starter and had no issues. that was with me needing a new battery as well.

 

I replaced my starter last year and it was slowing down before it died. First it would take 4-5 cranks to start it, then 5-6, then 6-8, and one morning....NOTHING! Replaced starter and it started like it was new.

 

Yea sounds like starter is about to take a poop. Get a new starter and sand down all your grounds to insure proper connection. Also when you did the 5 speed swap if you did it was the bellhousing sanded down? That's one of the biggest issues with our maximas and starting.