I've got a 98 Maxima GLE that I recently bought online from a government auction website. When I won the car I was excited to find that it had a high-end touchscreen stereo and a 1400 watt amp and a huge Panasonic speaker box in the trunk. Unfortunately the sunroof and heater blower did not work. I found that both blower motor fuses were blown. Replaced them and they blew again immediately. I found two toggle switches under the dash (never a good sign) and pulled out the console and saw what can only be described as a rats nest of wires and electrical tape. In the middle of it all was a loose relay somehow wired into this mess. They were sloppily attached to the wiring harness and cut into the cigarette lighter cord. I took it all out, the stereo, amp, speakers and everything not original to the car. I spliced all the wires back the way they should be and put everything back together. After about two weeks I drove to the market, got in the car, turned the key and nothing... The car had power, the windows rolled up and down and everything. I checked the battery cables, everything was tight. I called my son-in-law and he came down, we jumped it and still nothing. He had me turn the key on and he shorted the starter and at first the starter just spun, it would not engage. Finally after a few tries it started and I drove it home. I would go out and try it from time to time, sometimes it would start, sometimes nothing... My son-in-law called a few people and they all said it was the ignition switch. Replaced it and it started good for about a week then suddenly it quit starting again. Called more people and everybody said it sounded like the starter solenoid. To err on the side of caution, we replaced the whole starter. Ran good for about two weeks then boom, wouldn't start. We were about to have it towed home and we replaced the starter relay. Started great, not only that but the sunroof and heater blower started working! Drove it for a week and a half and the driver's side front tire started making a horrible racket (sigh), I thought it was the brakes so I bought new ones. Pulled off the tire and the old brake pads were still really meaty. Again, to err on the side of caution I changed the brakes anyway. Drove it, still squealing like before. I noticed some tire rub marks on the strut. I checked the spindle nut and it was backed out to the cotter pin... I called my son-in-law again, we pulled off the hub and the bearings just fell right out... The lady at Auto Zone said the bearings were burnt. Bought new bearings and my son-in-law pulled out the old ones (which was a huge task without a shop press) and put the new ones in. We put it all back together and I went to start it to take it for a test drive, turned the key and nothing... I was so mad that I just wanted to drive it over the hill. Unfortunately I only have liability insurance so I had to scrap that idea. We opened the hood, checked all the connections, everything looked good. We looked at the starter relay and the top of it was melted! I have no idea what to do next, any ideas? It might help to mention that the car sat in a police impound lot for thirteen months before I won it by auction. Any help would be deeply appreciated.

P.S. I forgot to mention that I bought a new inhibitor relay but I searched the car over, scoured the internet and my Chiltons manual and never could find out where it went so I took it back to Auto Zone.

 

Welcome to world of owning a Maxima.. Buying a car at auction sucks, Because of the Reasons listed above, and i'm sure its not done, However, Its a Journey and when taken care of would be the greatest car you've ever owned.

The starter wiring could have melted from poor contact when installing, Or just a faulty starter. I wouldnt jump to say its on the car side just yet because you would have popped the fuse aswell.. The two plug connector by the battery, Ditch it. And install it directly to the battery. Does the car start in neutral when this happens..?? There could be a security issue, Next time it happens, try just unlocking the truck with the key, and then try to restart the car. Wheels bearings are a common issue, plain and simple. If the nut was backed off, then that was the issue, it allowed separation and play,within it self, and driving on it sealed the deal. The scrapping Noise you may have heard was the rotor against the backing plate when turning slightly..

 

Thanks for the info! When the car is running, it runs and drives like a dream! I love the car but I have to get this issue sorted out. I was wondering if it might be the voltage regulator?

 

No, most issues concerning the alternator, are from coolant leaking from the thermostat housing into its case. Causing charging problems. Do you have 12+ volts koeo,and 14+ running? The usual light dimming is normal. However when the alt fails it fails. If a battery jump wont solve the starting problem, at that time..then the problem is else where.. Could possibly be the adjustment on the shift linkage..try going into neutral then try starting again next time it happens...its not uncommom.

 

I tried it in neutral and park, no luck. That's when we looked at the relays and my new starter relay was melted on top of it. For some reason the starter relay is getting way too much voltage causing it to fail. We're gonna thoroughly go through the wiring again to make sure there's not a short somewhere.

 

Here is a link to the Nissan service manual - http://boredmder.com/FSMs/Nissan/Maxima/1998/

In section EL, go to page 26. This is the wiring diagram for the starter in an auto trans car.

In the same section (EL), go to page 298. This points out the relay locations. The starter inhibitor relay is in the box in front of the battery. On page 298, it is in the lower right corner.

I think you have some loose wire connections that the starter works and then it doesn't. My guess would be that it is under the dash since that was hacked into.

What I don't understand is the part about the starter relay. To me, the starter relay is the inhibitor relay. But you say you bought an inhibitor relay but didn't know where it was located. Where is this starter relay that melted? You need to clarify this for me.

 

Nobody seemed to mention the melting is indicitive of a short somewhere in your starter circuit (if you're actually looking at your starter relay). Get out your voltmeter and start checking for shorts before you start throwing money at it. Ive had 4 4th gens now and just saying like that... Check your engine ground. Ive had starter issues with 3 of them now, cleaning and relocating the ground did wonders. IF ur not sure where it is.. take your intake out completely and follow the negative cable to where it bolts on the engine.