Who's Had Good Luck With Replacement Starters?
 

I've been through three of these goddam things in the last three months ... no exaggeration.

I've been through two (one remanned, one new) from Advance Auto under a lifetime warranty and I just lost a new Remey from Rock Auto also under a LLT.

I'm thinking I need to branch out.

Has anyone had good luck with any particular brand or parts seller?

I'm fixin to lose my friggin mind!

OEM is the only way to go for longevity. Otherwise you keep exercising your LTW like you are doing and get really proficient at hanging starters. There are worse cars to be repeatedly hang starters on than our A32B's but I get it, its a PITA all the same.

I've had good luck with Autozone starters (usually last a few years). Whenever I need a new one it's never an issue..

If all else fails, have yours, or get one from a used auto parts (OEM of course) rebuilt at a place like Austin & Son in Tampa. http://austinandsonauto.com/starter-...p-in-tampa-fl/

You're right on the money Keith.

I found a salvage yard in my vicinity that says they have 2 OEMs on the shelf ... albeit 20 year old OEMs ... $45/ea.

Upon inspection, if they turn out to truly be OEM starters, I think I'm gonna go buy them both and shove these new ones up Advance's and Rock Auto's a**es.

The quality and dependability of aftermarket parts is absolutely unacceptable.

Come to think of it, I haven't actually laid eyes on an OE starter in a number years.

Can anyone identify for me, some distinguishing markings/features on the OE unit?

I'm going to that salvage yard but I guess I'm not sure I'll know an original Nissan starter if I see it.

Whatever the group decides for a recommended brand, I think I need to buy a spare and keep it handy.

I've been using a US Stock starter off eBay with no issues since 10/18. Cost was under $40 shipped. Just search for keywords... 'Starter for Nissan Maxima 3.0L 95 96 97 98 99 23300-31U02 S114-801C 336-1657"

I was previously on an Autozone (I think it was from there, or Advance) something-gold starter. It lasted a bout a year or two before it started cranking slower over time.

This will sound strange but it's something I read on here and gave a shot when I had the trans out of the car.. I could only run junkyard OEM starters until I sanded down the contact surfaces between the engine/transmission and coated it with dielectric grease. After that, aftermarket starters worked just as good. Before that, I tried all kinds of extra grounds, even directly from the transmission to the battery and it made no difference. Cleaning up that contact area and preventing it from getting corroded again did the job.

So to do this, we need to separate the engine from the tranny?

I was quite disappointed but the salvage yard starter works ... I guess that's the bottom line ... it ended up being a used NAPA remanned and I bought it anyway for $45.

You have no idea (or maybe you do) how much angst is created installing a well used (appearance-wise) part in my engine compartment.

Make sure your starters have 11 teeth.

Ron, call Austin and Son and see if they already have an OEM that they've already rebuilt. It's what they do. Not some other country with the cheapest parts and labor available. And they're right there in your city/town.

If they have one, grab it. It will be worth its weight in gold sooner than later.

Test what 95naSTA was saying by adding a ground cable to the trans. I knew I'd read that on here before https://maxima.org/forums/4th-generation-maxima-1995-1999/626310-help-car-won-t-start-after-trans-install.html

Thank you for making this thread, I would of forgotten to sand mine when I drop my engine back in

Yeah to do what I said, the engine and trans have to be separated.

Adding grounds didn't work for me.

I did buddy ... Mike said he doesn't have one and typically doesn't stock starters for cars, they apparently do primarily commercial and heavy equipment starters.

But he quoted me one a unit he could get and one that he'd be confident putting in his own car ... $207.00

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/maxima....419ec210f0.jpg

PS.... Did he happen to mention which one?