i'll take the time to explain everything.

I have a 2000 maxima se 5 speed.

I changed the clutch and flywheel, 11 pound fidanza flywheel and act clutch. after everything was installed started the car and noticed that when trying to start the car it sounded like the starter was making loud grinding noises. And when the car was running you could hear like the starter gear was still touching the gear on the flywheel. I took the starter out and the gear on the starter was chewed up but the flywheel was fine. I went to the parts store and bought a new starter. I put that in and same problem. At the time the only thing I could think of is maybe there is a problem with the spacing on the fidanza flywheel so I used washers and spaced the starter away from the flywheel and to my surprise that worked. But 2 days later it started grinding again. I messed around with the spacing and couldnt get it to work again. So i got the stock flywheel a new clutch and another new starter. I put the new parts in and im having the same exact problems at this point I cant think of what could be causing this problem.

pretty much when you try to start the car you hear loud metal on metal noises and grinding sounds coming from the starter flywheel area. And sometimes while cranking the starter and flywheel binds so much that the motor stops turning over. And when you do manage to get the car started you can hear like the starter gear still making contact with the flywheel.

everything is torqued to spec nothing looks to be bent, no ,and when you push the clutch in the sound doesnt stop. I'm at a dead end with this problem.

 

have you tried to shim the starter itself? I know in the Chevy world you have to shim the starter to keep it from binding in the flywheel/flexplate.

 

what do you mean shim the starter?

when I had the fidanza flywheel in there I used washer and spaced the starter away from the flywheel. there are 2 bolts that hold the starter onto the tranny what I did was put a washer in between the tranny housing and the starer which moved the entire starer away from the flywheel and that worked for 2 days. But since I installed the stock flywheel I havnt tried spacing the starer

 

The way GM designed their starter mounting, you had the shim the starter otherwise the gears would mesh too tight. The way the starter mounted on the engine block allowed it to be closer to the flywheel or away from the flywheel, depending on the number of shims. The Nissan starters don't mount like that. But I don't have any suggestions for your problem.

 

bump

 

Are you sure the flywheel is installed on the right side?

 

he mentioned that the car did run once it was able to start. If that's the case then the timing gear is on the right spot for the CPS to read it, thus it has to be installed facing the right way (he would have trouble installing the clutch with the timing gear on the way )

 

yes the flywheel is installed right.

 

ttt

 

Are you sure you got the right flywheel? I would double-check the part number. Also, I read somewhere that fidanza had a bad batch of flywheels that had either an incorrect number of teeth on the ring gear or the entire ring gear was out of spec. This was a while ago and they have since fixed the problem, but you may have bought a flywheel that's been sitting on the shelf for a while (i.e., the old flywheel).
Other than that, I have no idea what the problem could be.

 

The bad Fidanza flywheels were for the 3.5 cars. They would grind on start up but were fine after that.

It sounds like the starter solenoid is activating and pushing the starters gear into the flywheel like it would on start up. The solenoid should push the gear onto the flywheel gear when you turn the key (to turn the motor over) and pull it back when you let go. If it stays out it will grind like you describe.

Since you've replaced all the parts I'd say the problem lies in the wiring or the ignition switch. Since you've had the starter out while working on the clutch I'd inspect all the wiring going to the starter. Make sure no wires are shorting.

You could also pull the starter and see if the gear retracts back into the starter body. You could have someone turn the key while you're holding the starter and see if the gear goes in and out like it should or stays out. Just make sure you hold on to it tightly because it will want to jump around.

 

ttt

 

ttt

 

Did you follow any of Derrick2k2SE's advice? If you're going to bump the thread without listening to the advice of people trying to help, you might as well not bump the thread at all.

 

I checked the wiring and everything is fine I havent done the test holding the starter and having someone keying the car

 

If you pull the starter and look inside the bellhousing you should see some marks on the flywheel if there's that much grinding going on.

My money is still on the starter staying engaged.

 

pull the flywheel back off and compare the aftermarket hi-po brand to the Oem, it's different maybe the wrong one!

 

theres no damage to the flywheel or the starter gear.

I sold the after market flywheel already.

 

are there reference marks on the motor or crank that show that you have to put the flywheel on in a certain position?

 

Not on the VQ30s there aren't. Even if there were, it changes nothing about the position of the ring gear.

 

alright. I found that the crank sensor the one that takes a reading off of the timing ring was cracked so I ordered a new one. Im waiting for it to come in

 

put in a new crank sensor and starter and same problem

 

ttt

 

Are these new starters, reman, used? From where?

Again, have you tried activating the starter while it's out of the car (or at least not bolted in place) to see how it behaves?

You've had over 6 months to do that...

 

I had this problem with a Cavalier at the shop one time. We replaced the tranny on it my guy installed an extra wire to the starter, causing it to ground out and remain engaged at all times. If this is the case, I am surprised your starter is not getting fryed.
Anyway, it sounds like you may have some of the wiring crossed. If I were you, I would pull a wiring diagram and go from there.

 

the car sat for awhile and now i cant get it started. i changed the front crank sensor the rear crank sensor and the cam sensor and i still cant get it started

 

I would start by checking the starter and/or the wiring

 

Without more information, or at least a willingness to do diagnostics, we can't help you.

Are you still having the starter problem, or not? If so, have you or have you not took at look at the starter to see what it's doing?

If not, did you replace the CKPS'/CPS just because, or did you actually have a reason to suspect them? Are you just throwing parts at it? Any codes? Did you do anything to the car before it didn't want to start? Is the security light on with the key in the ON position?

 

first i was having the starter problems and the car used to start it sat for along time and now it doesnt start anymore. i wasnt getting a rpm signal during cranking and no spark. no codes. i changed both crank sensors and cam sensor and i still cant get it to start. so now the new problem is getting the car started. once i get it started then i can address the starter problem. the security light isn't on when the key is in the on position

 

So is that to mean that you're no longer having starter issues? You never answered that.

You also never answered my question about the security light.

Have you checked any wiring? Made sure the timing teeth for the CKPS' are in good condition and not rusted over or otherwise covered in crap?

 

i'm probably still having the starter issue but i need to get the car started before i can address the starter problem. the security light isnt on when the key is in the on position.

 

i figured out the problem

 

...and the solution was?

 

well what is/was it? Had + and - of the starter backwards?

 

^ WHAT?

 

Seem like simple questions to me

How did you fix the problem?

 

what are you trying to ask

 

Hmm, I wonder.

If you don't want to answer, just say so. No reason to be a douche and act like an idiot.

It's considered helpful to actually post the solution to a problem in case others have the same. But, that's up to you.

 

So what was the problem? What did you do to get it going? Several people took the time to try and help. At least you can let us know what the fix was.

 

I wasn't trying to be a d1ck I just didnt understand what he was trying to ask