whenever the car is cold and I start it up, there's the squeal on the driver's side near the gearbox, after a second, it stops.

I'm thinking it could possibly be the starter... but, what else is on the driver side of the engine bay that would make that squeal at startup?

Finally, what does a starter typically cost?


it's a 2000 SE auto.

 

Mine's making a noise like the starter is sticking... DAVEB told me over the phone that the pinion gear is the most likely culprit, and a new pinion gear costs almost as much as a new starter. I didn't ask how much the new starter cost.
Dave said the problem first starts intermittently (in my case, at <15F temperatures), but eventually it will do it even when it's warm out...

 

Is this a "squeal", or a high pitched "scrape" sound that you're experiencing?

 

Its the starter needing to be regreased. There was a member on the org who did a write up on regreasing the starter, and its not that complicated. He even had sound clips to make sure you had the symtom. I have the same thing you do and trust me this works. No need for pinion gears just some grease and time.



brandon

 

Where can we get this write-up on regreasing the pinon gear? I have a 2kSE and it just started making that same noise, right at startup for a few seconds.

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....er#post1775009

You're welcome Now donate some $$$ and search yo-self

 

Thanks for the link. BTW, the Org. is not accepting donations at this time and they haven't been for awhile. Thanks for the unwarranted lip service.

 

Someone gives you help, and then you backstab them. Nice.

 

It's the American way.

 

I donated less than a month ago... Just so ya know!

 

Had to be longer ago than that, I tried around christmas and mine was refunded.
And just because you did, don't mean eveyone has to.

 

To get back to the topic, I hear the scaping sound. Only at very cold temps ( like now). Take it in and have it replaced under warranty maybe? Or nothin' to worry about?

 

could it be as simple as the belt squealing? hmmm

 

If you hadn't done it yet, check this site > Link

It's 97 maxima , I believe, but should be smth similar.

I'm planing to do mine soon as well..



Thanks foodmanry for write up.

 

Since I can't donate at this time, here is my contribution to the Org. I just got my car back from the dealer and they told me that the starter sound is from the starter gear not retreiving back to its position as soon as it should. It will get progressively worse, however, you should be able to live with it for a few years. It is not covered under the 5/60 engine drivetrain warranty. I argued that it was an essential part to the engine and they wouldn't go for it.

 

Is this the same issue discussed under the timing chain thread (283116)? There is a TSB for this but it involves significant engine work that most of us would rather not endure. Mine happens occasionally for about a second - still not sure what it is but it doesn't sound good.