I have searched threads with similar symptoms and have seen so many suggestions.

Basically my car has a new battery/terminals, new starter, spark plugs changed within a year...

and in the morning when I go to crank my car it turns over no problem but when I run an errand and have to turn off my car off and back on within a 30 minute period it hesitates to turn over. It will crank all day but wont turnover until like the 4th or 5th try. I'm afraid I will end up killing my battery and ruin a starter.

I read about a fuel pump problem but does the fuel pump make a whining noise every time I turn it off and put it in the on position? I just tried continuously to remove/insert the key to on position to hear the noise but only heard it the first time..

also: what steps would you suggest I take as far as diagnosing the problem starting with the cheapest first?

 

It could be a bad crankshaft sensor CKPS(REF) that "reads" the fan belt pulley.

 

There are tons of threads on my car won't start or cranks all day and if you search those you will find some suggestions. Do an advanced search under 4th gen forum for "cranks".

 

is this the one right below the pulley almost near the Oil Filter?

 

Yes, that's the one - CKPS(REF).

 

there is alot of info on this when its warm and doesnt start right away its usually the crank sensor by the flywheel, if its cold, its bad grounding i ran a 3-4ft 4 gauge ground cable from autozone, from the neg terminal to the top starter bolt and the problem was gone

 

The fan belt pulley? Now that's funny!
It's called a crankshaft pulley, you had it right at first.

 

This one is on the left side of the car underneath, by the tranny, right? Curious if this going bad, does it cause the tach to be erratic? And if it's going bad, I suppose you could be stranded if it fails altogether?

 

update: I cleaned both because it was all gunky and **** down there...and it wasn't before...is the FRAM Oil Filter to blame for this? and another note, I will try to replace the ground wire for the starter. Thanks!

 

it is on the front side where the tranny meets the motor one bolt and it slides out, there is a way to test the sensor but i dont remember off the top of my head

 

So I checked and yeah the ground cable was covered in gunk and I ended up replacing it and recleaning the surface. Solved my start problem, thanks.

Now I just need rear struts and knock sensor replaced and I should be good to go..

 

Lucky you. It freezing in the North East and I have a new battery and a new rebuilt autozone starter. And it still takes two tries for it to start up

 

yea mine is doing the same thing except it almost takes 10 times to crank over. I have to feather the pedal to get it the 3rd time or so. Then when im driving its normal and when I come to a stop the car cuts off. well its good that you got yours fixed

 

im dealing with the same issue getting a crank but wont start but i just did a engine swap. Basically i got a 95 maxima with a 99 max engine but im guessing my crank sensor is bad also change it tommorrow see what happens. I also got some idea from youtube from this guy to fix that problem something about a 4 gauge wire near the crank sensor between the tranny and the engine run a ground near it 17mm trans bolt so im atry that as well.

 

there are 2 crank position sensors i were you i replace both thats what im a do one is under the pulley by the oil filter and one between the tranny and engine.

 

Max139617 and Majestic Ken

have you added a ground or cleaned them up? i have read that people even use speaker wire from the battery to the top starter bolt 75% of the time it works 100% of the time

blackcloud80

once the trans and motor have been separated unless you really clean the mating surfaces, there is a ground problem run a wire or cable from the top starter bolt to the neg terminal and it be solved