Hey everyone, the name is chris and i'm brand spankin new here. I just recently purchased my first maxima (Black 2000 SE) and I LOVE IT! Never realized how freakin nice these things are to drive. Anyway, i have noticed a strange grinding noise upon start-up, just like when someone turns over the ignition when the car is already running. It only happens when the car is first started, and only lasts about 1/2 sec. Anybody have this happen before? My intial thought is maybe the bendix on the starter is hanging and staying kicked out too long, but i dunno. Any help would be much appreciated!

Chris

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=438445

I hope this helps

 

The problem you describe sounds very much like the cold start rattle. There is a TSB for this. However, I see you have a 2000 and I am not sure the TSB applies to that year?

 

Thanks for the quick replies guys! I checked out the link and i think it could possibly be the culprit. However, the noise is not as much a 'rattle' but more like a quick grinding sound. Also, it happens pretty much each time i start it up, regardless of engine temperature. Oh well, guess we'll have to see what happens.

 

Could it be the ABS self test grinding sound??

 

The More Miles I Put On My 02 Gle The Lower My Mpg Gets It Was First At 21.9 When I Bought My Car 2 Months Ago And Now Its Reading 21.3 I Have Done Oil Change And Now Use 93 Octane Insted Of 89 For The Past 3 Weeks

 

Your worried about .06 difference in mpg. A head wind could make that much a loss on any day if not more. Is this a trick question or what? And you have checked it twice. Maybe you let it idle for an extra 20 minutes one tankful.

 

hey congrats buddy. but this is just the beginning of the problems you may have to go thru more than what you are experiencing. goodluck!

 

You should start saving for a MAF ($110), ignition coils ($360), catylitic converter ($1,000), ECU reprogram ($100), 02 sensors ($85 a piece) and blood pressure medicine ($??) for dealing w/ Nissan dealers.

 

<----- Previous 1986 Fiero GT owner, no preparing needed. Ha!

Thanks alot for the insight tho, i do appreciate it. The car seems to be really tight, and the person who owned it before me was miticulous about maintenance/repairs (kept all the recipets, even the original window sticker!). Glad to know this place is here to serve as a great resource for me. Talk at cha later.

Cw

 

lol good one buddy.
so far i have replaced coils $380 plugs $60 O2 sensors $420 now i am on my way of getting the MAF replaced $118 plus $94 ecu reprogramming. so thats like nearly 12 grand. and i am expecting more problems as you mentioned catalytic convertor. by the way we dont have to go to dealer for labor because coils, maf, sensors are easy replacement but parts are expensive. my next car will be camry or accord.

by the way where to find the 02 sensor for $85. because i bought each for $100.

 

I got my O2 sensors at Autozone for $85 (and they are prewired, not the ones you have to wire yourself. Those were $65)

I guess I can't complain too much about the Maxima. I never took it to the dealer until this year when the car hit 100K. But I did spend quite a few $ just this year:

Tires ($600)
Struts ($650)
Cat ($1,000)
MAF ($110)
2 O2 sensors ($170)
Rear breaks and 1 caliper ($150)
Rims ($500. Not exactly necessary but I had the GXE rims which aren't great)
Spark Plugs ($70)

 

damn thats more than what i'v spent. but you still gotta keep some money on side for coils.

 

Like you said . . . . it sounds like the starter is still engaged even after the car has started. Try re-greasing the starter first and go from there.

 

I had 1 coil go already. But I was fortunate enough that it gave me the code for which cylinder misfired so I was able to just replace 1. My struts were actually replaced today and they found a torn CV boot (there goes another $250!)

 

250bucks to replace both cv boots?

 

I dont mean to steal the thread, but im a new owner of a 20th se maxima and on cold starts, (less than -10C) I get a similar sound, although more like a belt slipping than a griding noise. It lasts for a couple of seconds when the car is first started, the colder it gets, the longer it sounds. Is this the same problem?

 

check the driving belts if they are cracked.

 

Its the starter. It needs to be pulled and re-greased. Check the "how-to" section at the top. There is a write up for it. I had the same issue at 40K miles. Since re-greasing the starter I have not had any issues and I'm up to almost 140K.

 

Link to Motorvate's how to for the starter....

http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/516