I put an ebay starter in my 99 about a year ago and it has apparently died. When I turn the key, it makes a sound like the motor is spinning, but it's not cranking the car at all. Can anybody tell me what's going on? I would love to repair the thing if I can, I figured I'd see if somebody else has had this problem on their Maxima and avoided replacing the whole starter! Thanks!

 

theres a solenoid that pushes out the starter gear drive ...the solenoid burnt out therefore just spinning the starter motor unengaged...you can get just the solenoid but who knows how long it will last if its from ebay ...id just get a reman starter from autoparts store for about $100 they last much longer

 

+1

 

I put in an AC Delco "new" starter that cost $112. It has a lifetime warranty, but I'm hoping I never have to use it, I mean the original lasted 15 years? I think it's worth $100+ to put in a new part. Sure, it's made in China, but it does have a warranty. Remanuf in USA sometimes is junk....I find that to be the case with rear calipers. Over and over and over again they have to be replaced.....

 

Nope. The solenoid is also a large relay. If it was dead the motor wouldn't get juice. The Bendix drive is either sticking, or the sprag clutch is toasted.

 

Check the smaller of the 2 POS wires connected to the solenoid switch. That wire feeds the sprag clutch.

 

the solenoid can still send power to the starter motor and not send the plunger back to push the starter gear out ...it happens alot

 

 

How many years of tech school and field experience do you have? You are partially correct, but you obviously don't understand the hows and whys.

The solenoid moves the Bendix into position first and foremost. If the solenoid is bad and cannot do that, it will NOT close the contacts for the starter motor either. However, there is a spring between the solenoid armature and Bendix that will allow the armature to move and close the switch contacts without actuating the Bendix.
If the starter motor spins, the solenoid is closing the contacts and is fine. If the motor spins without turning the engine over, there is a problem with the Bendix.

 

3 years of tech school...thanks man yeah deff not experianced yet

 

Pull the starter and bench test it. If the Bendix actuates out then the one way clutch is toast and is free spinning. If the Bendix doesn't come out try spraying some lube into it and reinstall.

 

If what asand1 is too much for you, get a starter from anywhere but AZ. Duralast ones are pure junk...

 

Cool this should be enough to help me figure it out! Definitely have learned my lesson on autozone parts. And eBay parts for that matter. I'll see what I can figure out and post back with results. Thank you all.

 

or, get a hammer and start leaving for work earlier....

 

my starter was doing that to me ,and 1 time the starter just kept spinning i turned it off took the key out and still the starter would not stop spinning,so i diconnected the battery and it stop,then waited a few minutes pluged the battery back in and the starter still kept spinning so i took the battery off and tryed it again ,still starter kept spinning so i left it spinning to see if it would stop spinning on its own,yeah it did after it caught on fire.had nothin but a snapple around i threw it on there to turn off the fire.autozone starter lifetime warranty.

 

BAD NEWS! Got a new starter and it's doing the same thing. What does it mean? Again, it is getting power and the starter is whirring like a vacuum but the car is not cranking! Help!

 

Remove the starter and check the teeth on the flywheel ring gear.

 

Ok I just had a bad thought. There are issues with some '99 starters and tooth count but I cant remember the details. On my phone at work now.

 

Yeah I do remember that when I bought the first starter. But it's worked all this time then it failed? The new starter is actually out of an i30

 

Check that ring gear for chewed up/missing teeth.

 

If it were the ring gear, then the whole flywheel would have to be removed, correct? In which case, somebody make me an offer on the car lol 180k Northeast Ohio rust and a couple of CELs. brand new tires!

 

I would try to manually turn the engine a bit with a wrench on the crank pulley bolt, then see what happens. If you have broken or damaged teeth on the flywheel there may be a dead spot. Changing the flywheel involves removing the transmission, not a trivial job. I assume you are properly bolting in the starter, so it is fully seated?

 

So I ended up having the thing towed and...whatdoyaknow! It was the replacement starter! Put a new one in and it fires up every time. LESSONS TO BE LEARNED: Replace the starter TWICE before you conclude it is NOT a broken starter

 

I know the feeling....I posted above about getting a $112 lifetime starter....I had to replace it two months later, a couple weekends ago. Auto parts are such junk today.....