Hello everyone, I have a question. My 97 Maxima 5 Speed has a problem when it comes to starting. I've looked around on here & I'm planning on doing a full diagnosis on sunday. The only reason why i'm posting this now is because I want to do everything at one time & every time I put my hand on a solution the problem changes. The problem fluctuates from time to time. Some mornings i'll get up go out to start her up & she'll crank & fire just fine. Then during the day i'll have a problem. Or the other way around *like I said it varies*

Situation 1

I'll go to start her up & she'll *crank crank crank crank crank crank* start with the RPM jumping up between 2k-2.5k then sputter down like she's about to die out at 300 rpm then go back to 1k *which is where my RPMs always are normal at cold start* & everything is fine

Situation 2

I'll go to start her up & she'll *crank crank crank crank crank crank* start then she'll slowly sputter idle up to 1k RPM

I was thinking it could either a faulty alternator but I went to a shop & the battery was reading 15.5 or so? While running and it is about a month or so old seeing how the other one died out on me. Negative grounds, crank sensor, starter, MAYBE even the fuel pressure regulator? So I was wondering if anyone here could help me broaden that list. I have NO codes & she runs just fine after the start up.

The closest video to my problem that I could find was



Along with my after affects

 

Have you removed your tranny recently?

 

Nope & the problem randomly started happening

 

Are you sure your CAM sensor is good? The one on the timing chain cover. When mine started to go, I got not codes but I had the same extended crank like you. May be worthwhile to test it or just swap it out with a known working one.

 

I had that too. My starter was going out slowly, replaced that and the problem went away.

 

That'll be the first thing I check then on Sunday HOPEFULLY if that's the problem it doesn't die out on me

How would you test it? & I have a 95 also so I might try swapping it with that one

 

Not sure the procedure on testing it but if you have a second maxima that starts fine, swap it and you'll find out instantly. Be worth a shot before going on to the starter which, like said above, will be another good thing to check.

 

Sounds good, & thanks i'll let everyone know how it goes

 

If the starter is turning the engine over correctly...
Clean the throttle body and IAC valve.
Check the cold idle plunger and linkage, make sure it's opening the throttle body slightly when the engine is cold.

 

Thought it was fine, now i'm not too sure updated with videos

 

The cold start


another "cold start"


Finally got the sucker today!

 

ttt with a better video

 

Looksg like you have multiple lights on the dash and a CEL....check that alternator again and pull the codes

 

Definnately the same issues I had. Like I said earlier swap the starter and you should be good to go.

Have some gas in there too. I've noticed my maxima starts a lot better when I have more than 1/4 tank of gas. And it's better for the fuel pump too since it can stay cooler and not burn out.

 

On start up yeah but after everything "goes out" I only have the ABS light which I don't really mind because i've always driven without it. The brake light at the moment because I have to replace my leaking rear driver's side caliper *that's getting done this weekend* & the check engine light which is for the KS & VSS...It's the gauge cluster so I'm gonna be changing that out soon seeing how I already replaced the VSS. I don't have a multimeter so i'll just pick up one from harbor freight

I'll pull the starter tomorrow & have it tested at Auto Zone/Pepboys or Advanced Auto Parts & get back to you. About the gas part yeah i've noticed that too. I never let her get below half, i've been slacking lately. Lol I brought her up to half right after the video.

 

What codes you got for the vss? Cause all you have to do is clean some contacts in back of the speedo and tighten the screws back down

 

This i did that and cleared the codes, and it went away.

came back in like 6 months and I just said **** it.

if you can find a cluster similar to yours get that, swap in your odometer and then plug everything up and drive away!

 

Lol that's what I'm saying now, i'll probably buy a cluster this summer seeing how it doesn't REALLY bother me except that the cruise control won't work either when it's not functioning. I find it weird though that I connected my OBD2 & even on the live data it wasn't showing my speed

Vehicle Speed Sensor A - P0500...I read that you can do that but i'm not familiar with it nor did I find a how to

 

Ok the meter dont read your speed because the signal goes from the vss to the speedo then to the ecm.post a pic of the back of your cluster and ill show you

 

It's probably this. Mine does it in the winter, never in the summer (on cold starts in the morning).

 

Ahh I figured that's how it was connected, i'll do that asap

 

Cold idle plunger and linkage?