My 2k1 Maxima has 35.8K miles on it and the last several times I've started it I've noticed that each time it's taking a little longer for it to start. The cranking also seems slower. It's reminding me of what happens when a battery dies, though it seems there's JUSt enough juice to start it at this point.

For example, I had been driving on the Interstate for 20 minutes and then went to a grocery store. When I came back out and started it up, I noticed that it didn't turn over like it normally does...

Does this seem like the battery or could it be an alternator problem? Given that I have 200 miles before my warranty expires I'd really like to figure out if it's the alternator so I could get it replaced under warranty! Is there a good way to test it to find out?

Thanks.

 

From my previous experiences with your problem I think it might be the starter going bad. But if I'm wrong I'm sure someone will correct me

 

Jeez.... I've been having the same problem, I just replaced my battery with an Optima red-top. It helped a little, but I still think I might have a starter problem...started on another thread about starter problems.... I don't think it's my alternator cause my lights don't dim when my stereo's up really loud. 2000 SE with 45k. I'm taking it to my mechanic on monday. Let me know/I'll let you know what's up.

 

You can take your car to autozone or advancedautoparts and they can test it for free.

Another test is to pull the + lead from the battery while the car is running. Turn you lights + stereo + anything else electrical on. If the car dies, then the alternator is not putting out enough power and needs to be replaced. If it stays running, then the alternator is fine. If the alternator is ok, it is most likely the battery, but starter trouble is possible (although I would just go ahead and change the battery.)
From your description, it sounds more like the battery to me, especially with it starting to get cold outside. You check the fluid levels of your battery?

 

I have a Anniversary Edition Maxima and I just had my alternator replaced under warranty just last week. 2 months ago a fellow member had to replace his too. I didn't notice anything because i just got back from a trip. And before that I replaced my battery with an Optima Red top a two weeks before my trip.

Anyway, my symptoms for a dead alternator were the brake light and battery light both on while driving. Luckily my Max crapped out near a Sears Auto Center. They was gracious enough to examine my car and tell me that my alternator died. They even charged my battery for free so I could drive it to the deallership the next day.

Sounds like your starter. Doesn't hurt to have it checked out and your alternator too.

 

an fyi.....a simple way to test if your alternator is functioning or not....turn on the car and disconnect the battery. if the car shuts off, you're alternator is bad. if it stays on, the alt is good. the understanding is that your car runs off the alt. so if it shuts off, the car was running off the battery the whole time

hope this helps for future diagnostics at least.

 

Good advice above. 2 addl.
When a starter is hot it has the most electrical resistance (needs more juice)
In my todays auto section, 01-03 Maximas recalled due to sensors that may make the car hard to start.

 

Well, my car had been sitting in the garage for about 24 hours and when I went to start it it was even closer to not turning over...I was initially going to test the alternator by disconnecting the + lead on the battery, but I was having a hard time getting it off for some reason and just decided that I'll just take it somewhere to get it tested. When I looked at it I noticed that there was a little liquid an top of the battery, and by "little" I mean little, like a drop or two. I was trying to see if the battery needed more fluid and didn't see any inside just by looking at the outside of it at the Max/Min level markers. Should I be able to see the liquid through the white plastic of the battery? I even used a flashlight, but that didn't help either.

Anyway, what battery is the best for this car? Where do I get it? I don't run any amps in my car, btw. What I'll probably do is just take it wherever I'd get the battery from and have them test it and get their advice.

Thanks.

 

I had a similar problem, the tech's at Nissan did advice me that my battery was dying. I just took it for granted and about a week later i had to jump start the car almost every day until i got a new battery.

I also got the Red Top. (below is a copy/paste of my earlier post):

I was looking at DieHard's application/guide sheet and they had this info on them for OEM battery/requirements:

2003 Maxima - 445 CCA
2000-2002 Maxima - 585 CCA

I went with the 445 rating given the 2k2 is always mistaken to be a 2k/2k1.

I also went with the suggested "0-300 CCA more than OEM" and got the 720 CCA rated Red Top with dual posts (top and sides).

Btw, not sure on weight - but this battery is definitely smaller than the OEM, they even had to put a stand under the battery (Optima supplied).

========

All in all i'm happy with the Red-top, starting the Max is like having her on steroids now

 

I was really impressed by 03BLKSETE's recent write up on a 23lb weight saving battery. He used a Odyssey 680 and the installation is beautiful. Odyssey batteries IMHO are the best.

 

Online I'm having a hard time finding the Optima Batteries...They say that PepBoys, AutoZone, Batteries Plus, etc have them but none of their websites even list them as being available. So, what place is the best place to get one? And, is the Odyssey really the best as the previous post said? (The search function isn't working for me for some reason, so I can't search through other threads...)

And, just to make sure I'm on the same page, the Optima batteries are:
http://www.optimabatteries.com
And the Odyssey batteries are:
http://www.odysseyfactory.com/default.htm
Right?

Based on the way the car started the last time, I'll need to probably go somewhere in the AM to get it replaced on the way to work.

Thanks.

 

I did the samething you did and I'am still having the same problem. And my 2000 have 50k.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Sears carries the Optima batteries. It's not listed on the site but is available in their Tire Centers.

Just use their dealer locator to find one near you.

 

Btw, here's a "nicer" site to check out the Odyssey's.

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/specs.htm

 

Well, I ended up getting the Optima Red-Top. BatteriesPlus is the only place where I live that carried the Odyssey and they didn't have them in stock.

I called around to several places and found that Autozone and Advanced Auto Parts both had the best price for the battery.

AutoZone and Advanced Auto Parts both had it for $109.99
Batteries Plus was around $115-$120 as I recall.
Sears was $129.99.

I personally got mine from Autozone because the guy on the phone was very knowledgable about the Optima batteries and I knew they'd help me put it in or give me the tools to put it in, etc.

The car starts up with a VROOM now! Hopefully if it is a bad alternator or bad starter they'll die within the next 150 miles so I can get them repaired under warranty! But, since I was able to drive the car in after jumping the car this morning to get it started, I'm guessing it wasn't the alternator.

Thanks for all the advice.