Hi guys, I have a 01 that just turned 100k last week and it's having some hiccups. Over the last 7 years I've had occasional starts that weren't real smooth and giving it a little gas helped (I know it shouldn't), but lately it's more often than usual.

My Nissan mech replaced the alternator and starter and I have a brand new die hard platinum in there so it's not those. Almost sounds like when you turn the ignition with the car already on, sharp sounding. Used to be once a month, now it's near daily and I can't figure it out. Thought ignition coils, but mech said no. $1000 later we're still not fixed. Really appreciate the help

V

Additional info: Car runs like a champ once started, smooth idle, good power, all as it should be. Replaced one bad O2 sensor recently, too. Love that I spelled ignition wrong on the thread title, too....

 

Possible clogged injector......that is one of the symptoms of that.

 

could you post the link to a recording of the sound. that might help me understand what the sound could be?

 

I'll see if I can record it when it happens. Used to be once every 40 starts, now more like 4 or 5

 

invest into an Interstate! They are the original Diehard manufactures.....

 

It's not the battery, alternator or starter. I checked all cables, clean and tight. Injector would produce poor performance all throughout, correct? Runs great after startup

Someone suggested ignition switch in the steering column or fuel pump. Dealer will replace half the car and not fix it so I don't want to blow money for nothing.

 

Maybe your starter is on the way out....


edit: Nvm, I need to read better

 

Is it happening when it is warm or cold, or does that not matter? I have heard of an intermittent issue after driving for a little bit, then starting. Something with the fuel and the fuel rail, I don't think it was specifically an injector issue.

Have you tried putting the key into the "ON" position for a few seconds and then start. Any difference?

Have you replaced the fuel strainer? It is located in the gas tank under your rear seat. Nissan says they are lifetime, but people on here have seem plenty of gunk buildup in theirs noticing a change in the car after replacing.

 

Temperature doesn't appear to matter nor whether the engine is heat soaked. The starter is less than 60 days old so I'm loathe to suspect it.

You do hit on something I might have noticed. If I turn it to acc, wait a few sec, then make a concentrated, smooth key turn, I don't notice it often. Seems to be the casual, full turn produces the effect more often. Cannot say for sure, but I'll experiment. Hasn't happened in a few days, just to be ornery.

Have not touched the fuel strainer, nor actually ever heard of it so that's a new possibility.

 

Well, I finally happened to have the phone out when it made the sound. Feels like the tumbler isn't tight anymore and the key has to be in there right to start.

May have to turn the volume up a bit to get a real taste of the sound. Again, new starter, new alternator, new battery. Would like to fix this before I sell the car, though, and mechanics are puzzled.

 

No thoughts? I figured getting the sound recorded would trigger someone's memory of a similar event.

 

does it sound like a sharp squeegee sound ?

 

Yeah, that describes it. It's recorded in the zip file posted above.Only happens sometimes.

 

yeah i have the same problem, didnt really hear it on the sound file

its either i hear the squeegee sound or a buzzing, but only happens once in a while no idea what teh problem is

 

Have you had the issue for long? Our Nissan specialist mechanic just wants to replace things and I don't know what's left to replace. I have noticed that sometimes it does seem to turn over roughly, almost physically rough, even with new starter.

 

I have the exact same problem.
This is my check list:
Fuel Problems-
-bad fuel pump
-fuel pump relay
-clogged fuel screen
Engine Electrical
-crank sensor
-cam sensor
-maf sensor
-computer
-power relay
bad coil
bad ingniton swithch
immobilizer system
bad timing chain
low compression
bad cam gear

 

I know you changed it but it sounds like it may be starter issue. Before I would start looking for more complex causes I would try another starter. They are easy to change and I'm not sure but you may be able to get one at auto zone and if the problem continues just return it for refund. I would focus on the simple to try logical stuff before I ended up thinking it's who knows what.

 

Replacing the ignition switch is cheap and easy, can't hurt.

 

i havent had the car for long i bought it off a friend (4months)

the issue isnt constant, but happens once in a while

sounds like something might be clogged, but i also get a buzzing sound instead of the squeegee sound

 

i just pulled fuel pump i post picts of the crap that was in there. did u do a compression test?

 

All very good places to start looking again. I will tell you that when the starter went in, it had a very strong, immediate turnover for a few weeks, then started being a little funny again.

If you listen to the sound I recorded it may be a bit more squeegie than buzzing, but a little of both. I may start with the ignition switch, but I'm loathe to pay for another starter install (no place to work where we're at) if that's not the cause. I definitely want to take a look at the fuel strainer. Hasn't been looked it in... well.. ever.

 

after going through my list it turns out my crankshaft sensor took a crap.

 

fuel pump pictures https://picasaweb.google.com/Aleem19...eat=directlink

 

releasedtruth , here is where we are equal on the list.

new starter fine for few weeks = Same
Sound = Same
pausing for a sec on ACC when turning on = I do same.
not a battery, alternator, nor starter for sure = same.

if you want check if we have same issue, start driving Cold car meaning not warming up enough so less than 15 seconds, and check the result next time after few hours and see if hesitation occurs.
Try spirited driving, and see if same thing happens.

here is what i wanted to try, but havent been able to.
grounding wires
muffler has hole so not sure if backpressure causing any issue.
fuel injector testing,
and lastly fuel pump

btw. runs great once started, just got 400 miles to the tank on total highway driving yest. so 25/mpg.

 

How did you determine it was the crankshaft sensor? Did you replace it and it was fine? Did you test it? Did it throw an SES code?

I'm curious because I have the same issue. It got worse after I pulled the fuel assembly and changed out the filter some time ago.

It isn't the fuel pump because I can hear it when I turn it on and start the car. On the times it doesn't want to turn over there is a loud thump from the engine bay and the car literally shuts off. It seems mine is more electrical related or possibly sensor related.

 

I would do the starter before the ignition switch. I installed my starter in the parking lot at work. Took about an hour. Not difficult if you have the right tools and decent weather. Probably took about as long as replacing the ignition switch. If you have never done it it seems like a difficult job to replace the starter. After you do it one time the next time is nothing.

That sqreeching sound is the starter not engaging properly. Mine did that when it was on it's last legs. That is very common when starters begin to fail.

It is possible that something else is causing the starter to fail but most likely the starter is the cause of the problem.

 

I will tell you that it definitely turns over more roughly in the cold and when it's been sitting a while. After running it's usually better, but sometimes the wrong key turn will kick out the sound anyway, regardless of weather or time of day. I'll likely have the starter looked at and after seeing a video on the ignition switch, that's a super easy one. I've had that column open a few times over the years.

ColdRain, spirited driving is still the same. Once it starts, all is well. Mpg still good. Just replaced some O2 sensors so I looked over the exhaust, no holes I could find. Does smell like it's running real rich, but not sure. Haven't checked the injectors, but had them cleaned at 80k and only run good fuel.

 

I never got it started. I got a code p1335 so i replaced sensor now i have a pos car that doesnt start. ill post up vid tommoro

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CXuZdbLA4M

my problem

 

aleem, definitely not the same issue I'm getting. Mine sounds more like an air raid siren without any engagement of the ignition procedure and yours sounds like it definitely is trying to turn over. What have to tried thus far?

 

My issue is the same, but it is not as pervasive (I can usually start it up in the second try) and it is not consistent. It really seems like a fuel delivery issue or spark issue, yours and mine.

During your attempts in starting in this video did you have a strong smell of gas? If you didn't then I would suspect you are having a fuel delivery issue versus a sparking or ignition issue.

 

99.99% inition coils. same symptiom. fixed at 4xxxxkm

now same symptom, currently have 150000km when 87 gas is used...

 

yea i have strong small of gas and very loud backfires.
I have checked all ignition coils, sensors, fuel system, etc. I believe my timing chain has problems(broken guide, tensionizer). I have proper compression, proper fuel pressure, and proper voltage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXZbOPEkJzU

 

Lack of spark, either ignition coils, spark plugs, or something else telling the coil/spark plug not to fire when it needs to.

You can check your timing chain tensioner, but I don't think it is the root cause in your issue.

 

I have been experiencing that same exact issue on my 2001 (160K miles) for about the last six - nine months. Mine usually starts on the third or fourth try but I have to mash the gas pedal to the floor to get it to start. After that it won't give me any hassles for a couple weeks or as long as a month.

Check engine light is off, and scan tool returns no error codes.

I have recently replaced the cam and crankshaft sensors and the issue has not occurred again but I'm not ready to call it fixed.

Saw some comments regarding coils. I replaced those probably a year ago.

 

do u still get this problem truth ?

 

Finally putting the ignition switch in tonight. I'll record the sound from the engine bay next time. Maybe I can pinpoint it. Sounds like an air raid siren. Real loud. If it happens twice, the third time it's tougher for the car to turn over. Usually a real snappy ignition.

 

Put the switch in, no change. Still chooses when to make the crazy air raid siren sound or start. Looks like I'll take it to another shop and see what the diagnosis is. Better not say starter/alternator/battery

 

Likely final update. Took to a shop, they couldn't diagnose and it only did it to them once having it for 3 days. Did it to me twice in the next three starts once picked up. Just about ready to find the solution and sell the car.

 

UPDATE

For me, I was having intermittent hard start issues. When it was hard to start it took 2 or 3 times to get it started. This usually happened when it was cold, but happened when it was warm as well.

I had changed/serviced the following:

-Crankshaft sensors (both)
-Camshaft sensor
-Fuel filter
-Throttle body and IACV cleaned
-Battery checked and charged
-Intake filter and intake good, no leaks
-Ground wires checked, all good

What ultimately worked...ran a ground from the top of the transmission (above crankshaft sensor) to the negative battery terminal. I have a 2K auto and there is a threaded cavity for some type of bolt which was open. I put a bolt in there to attach the ground cable and ran it to the battery. I used a two feet of 2 gauge size wire. Picked up the wire and connections at Home Depot for $8.

Car started up with no issues since installing the ground wire. I had already ordered an ignition switch before trying the ground wire so I installed it when I got it in. The ignition switch helped it fire up even faster.

My fix: additional ground wire and ignition switch.

Good luck to others...I hope you find this helpful.