I just bought the car from a private owner (2 days ago). ()

Here’s the problem:

Sometimes when I start my car, a split second after it turns over, I hear a loud grinding noise. This isn’t so big of a deal, but sometimes it won’t start. When it won’t start it’s usually when my car has been off for less than an hour. I hear the loud “click” and get nothing. When it finally starts, it starts perfectly! I start the car in neutral with the clutch all the way down. Just to be safe-- I even tried starting in first, reverse, and without the clutch at all, ha. Do you think this could be the starter going? Summer is slowly approaching, and I have a black car.

 

bump da bump bump bump.

 

bump.

 

If you're hearing a grinding noise right after the car cranks over, it's the starter that's going bad. You can either re-grease the starter if you know how, or you can buy a replacement from Autozone, which comes with a lifetime warranty.

 

Thanks, seriously. Guess this isn't covered under the lemon law, eh?

 

Replace the starter ASAP. I had this same problem on my 00 Maxima. The starter spinning (thats the grinding noise) Make sure that the wires leading to the starter is checked because mine was almost burned out after I replaced the starter the problem stopped.

As for lemon law, Theres some term called AS IS
so just replace the starter and enjoy your ride

 

Gah, wretched. Thanks ope and philly...heading to Autozone.

 

After months. The split-second post-start grind is not AS loud but it is still there. I tried to do a search. Is it the belts or engine mount sensors??? Help!

Thank you for your help.

 

It's not belts or mounts or sensors! It sounds like the starter bendix (pinion gear shaft) may not be operating smoothly/hanging up. I think you've got to pull the starter again and check the solenoid/bendix operation, the condition of the pinion gear teeth, as well as checking the condition of the ring gear teeth. The ring gear teeth may have been damaged from the earlier problem.

 

Its the solnoid on the starter,which can be bought all together at autozone or any auto store .I had alot of problems with aftermarket starters don't know why. good luck

 

But the starter is brand spankin new!

 

It usually does this from a cold start.

 

BUMP. Any ideas on the new starter?

 

It sounds like the problem I am having I think ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLTlT4a3Jpk ) I start my car and it sounds like it wants to turn over but it makes a loud ticking noise and the light blink in the car. I am thinking it is not a starter problem for me because when I left the key in today but didn't turn it all the way, I noticed that the electrical components where acting funny (air bag light staying on, then blinking, off, then back on. No sound from radio. Clock not all the way bright.) Does yours do the same. Once it started later in the day, everything was fine. Nissan told me they could not check it because it was working fine when I took it to them. One thing I was wondering is if it could be the key it self since it has the chip.

P.S. not a battery problem (nissan checked it)

 

It's been a year since mine started doing that. Still starts up each time. What brand starter did you install?

ac Delco seems to be reliable.

 

There is no such thing as a RELIABLE starter from AutoZone,Napa....etc.

I finally had it with repleacing em for my uncle who was too cheap to buy OEM. I got him a used 01 Max starter with few miles on it and hes never had a problem since then. He went through 3 starters in one year.... Delco, A-Reliable, PROParts, whatever you wanna call em- I call em duds.