I'm having some intermittent starting issues with my manual trans '99 Maxima. I can always get it to start eventually, sometimes with persistent attempts at key ignition, and other times I'm on a hill to bomb start it. However the problem isn't solved.

I turn the key on and everything is fine, dash lights, radio, horn, everything works, so I doubt the battery is the problem. Then when I turn the key over, I get one of a couple things happening. Sometimes I hear a grinding noise, meaning the engine isn't turning over at all, but it's more than the typical "clicking" you'd hear from a faulty battery or low power problem. This to me sounds and feels like the starter motor is not engaging the flywheel. A few missing teeth could explain the intermittent nature of the problem. Sometimes they catch and it turns over, sometimes I hear the grinding noise. When it grinds I stop turning and try again until I hear it catch and turn over, at which point I can normally get it started. I've been living with this issue for months. I've always been able to start it, so lack of funds for repairs forces me to deal with it. Generally if I get the car started the first time in the morning, then it will continue to start for me the rest of the day.

On a side note, I have had to jump start it before and whenever I did, the problem seemed to be less prevalent when I was hooked up to more power from another car battery. The extra juice seemed to do something to help the problem. Could be random though.

Cut to today. I'm driving down the road, having started it with little issue this time. Only had to retry ignition once or twice. I'm in 3rd gear, going maybe 50/kmh, and I look down at my instrument panel and all my gauges are out of whack. Tach is up at 6k, speedo is chillin at 140 and my gas went from half to empty. Almost as soon as I noticed the gauges, as I was coming to a stop at a red light, I slowed down and when I pulled out of gear into neutral, the car died in the middle of the road. I immediately turned the car off and back on again, starting it first try with no problem. I continued driving and even after restarting the car, the instrument panel was still screwed up. I managed to limp it home, having it die another 2 times before I got home. Both times it started again no problem right away.

To answer a few questions you might have. The car did absolutely nothing to warn about dying except for the instrument panel going haywire. It didn't lose acceleration, or throttle, no sputtering, or jerks. It's got plenty of gas, and I didn't stall it. Therefore I think we can eliminate fuel pump or line issues.

My question is, what could be causing these issues? Are they even connected? Would a broken starter motor or damaged flywheel translate into an instrument panel going berserk somehow? Could I have blown a sensor or a fuse somewhere with my persistent attempts at turning over the ignition? I have a feeling you're all going to tell me to test and replace my starter motor and report back. I'm just trying to get better acquainted with the problem before I take it in to a shop. Thanks in advance for the help. Glad there's such an active forum for these cars.

Chase

 

Might be a grounding issue. Look at the main grounding cable from the battery to the engine. Clean the contacts, rub with fine sandpaper. Replace it if you need to. Maybe there is a better one at the wrecking yard.

Is your starter firmly bolted to the engine, or is it possible to move it back and forth with some muscle?

A starter which grinds like that could damage the flywheel. Which requires removal of the transmission. At which point you might as well do the clutch whole you are in there anyway.

 

Thanks for the advice. I'll do what you said with the grounding wire and see if that changes anything. It is covered in oil and grime so I'm hopeful that's the quick fix I need. If I've worn out that flywheel I'll have to suck it up and get the work done I guess. Cheers.

 

One way to test your ground cable is to use jumper cable between the negative terminal of the battery and some big nut on the engine. Do not use the positive cable.

If the car suddenly acts better with the jumper attached, and crappy again with it gone, you have confirmed a grounding issue.