I'll just start with the most recent and work backwards.

Automatic 1998 Maxima 230,000 miles
No performance mods



Last week It wouldn't crank at all. There was a single key click inside the cabin. jumping the battery did not change anything. So I've let it sit for a week. The battery was checked and replaced with a new one. After putting that in the car still was unresponsive (besides the same single key click). I pulled the starter (original @ 230k) and took it to a starter repair shop. Brushes were worn and it wasn't spinning. I decided to replace with a remanufactured Autozone starter rather than repairing. I put the new starter on today and and it cranks, but very roughly. If I press the gas pedal it starts on about the 6 or 7 rotation with hard jolts. It feels like the engine is starved. If I don't press the gas pedal it just keeps cranking and wont start. Once started the car continues running without issues. It drives and idles fine.

A week ago the car ran without issue but cranking was a problem. The key sometimes had to be held for 2 or 3 seconds before cranking. I never had to give ANY gas at all.

For a few years the car has had stalled out when run between within 1/8 of empty. It usually has started right up again though.

My cruise control stopped responding as of 6 months ago. My dash on/off rocker switch works but I get no response from my buttons steering wheel controls. I replaced the switch a month ago with no change.

Where should I start looking? Is it possible to install the starter wrong? I do have my volt meter ready, but I am severely strapped for time. I work out of town and this is now my wife's car. I am after some direction on where to start looking.

 

sounds like the ignition switch to me.

I don't think the battery needed to be replaced but i feel as if the starter had to. now swap the ignition switch, it can be had for under $30, and add a ground from the starter bolts to the negative battery terminal and it should start right up. Are you getting any codes?

 

Turns out I didn't have to do anything else at all. The car just started right up the next morning and has been starting without any issues.

So did the car have to go through a learn mode or something? It had been without a battery for about 3 days during that week of sitting.

 

Whenever I get a bad connection from the battery to the rest of the system I would have starting problems. I am referring to sanding down ground cable spots and making sure your battery terminals are clean and tight. Also, don't rule out the 2 crank sensors, they can effect starting, from time to time the crank reference sensor on the bell housing can be cleaned from debris that might collect on it. If you can't remember the last time you changed your fuel filter or your plugs, it might be a good time to do so. Little things can all add up.

 

Me too. I had this same issue in September (actually lived with the hard starting for months before I swapped out the ignition switch).

http://www.courtesyparts.com/48750-s...ml?cPath=1783&

 

At 230K I wouldn't rule out the ignition switch either.
Do you have a grounding kit installed on the car?
Nissans are notorious for poor grounding.
I built one and slapped it on my car and it seems to have helped.
As Maxgtr2000 said you want to make sure you're connections are clean as well.

Companies are selling them between $100-$150.
It's waaaaay cheaper to build you're own and install takes a whole 5mins.

Good Luck!