cabernet

2000 Maxima AT (starter is 2 years old)

I've seen several people post a problem with starting problems but no one has posted their solution. I turn the key, all of the lights come on, I hear the fuel pump run, and then nothing. No click, no crank, or anything. Turn again and nothing. Turn again and starts fine like nothing was wrong. Sometimes it takes 10 times to start. Only a matter of time before I'm stranded somewhere.

I tried replacing the ignition switch and starter relay but problem still remains.

Could be the neutral safety switch although changing gears doesn't help and it starts on the 2nd or 3rd attempt without touching the shifter.

Cleaned battery connections - they were corrosion free as were the cables.

Am thinking solenoid or starter now. I guess this is the only thing left to try.

Any ideas?

luvlexus101

iTrader: (6)

Check all fuses?

Maybe cps.

cabernet

I didn't think a fuse would be the problem since it starts 1 out of 3 times and if a fuse goes then it usually goes completely.

I had thought the symptom of a bad crank position sensor was that it would crank forever but not start? I don't get any cranking. Just the noise from the fuel pump (or maybe abs or motor mount).

Child_uv_KoRn

iTrader: (7)

Solenoid, I bet. I had the same problem on my old 02. I replaced the starter.

I kept push starting it when I got stuck LOL

cabernet

Replaced the starter/solenoid and it has started every time for the last 2 weeks so it looks like the problem is gone. Good thing it wasn't the intermittent problem the 4th gen owners suffer from with poor connection between the ignition switch and ignition lock. Bought a new starter for $90 from Amazon and no problems with the install. One hour for most people - three for me. I'm going to take it to O'Reily and get a free starter check to see if it was the starter or solenoid. If it's the solenoid then I'll have an extra starter for next time.

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

4th gen intermittent is almost always
1. Ignition switch
2. poor ground from engine to chassis, specifically, from the starter/transmission to chassis
3. bad starter

5th gen follows almost all the same, except the ground is not as common because Nissan upgraded it to a larger gauge so it doesn't just fall off or corrode apart like the chinsy 4th gen ground used to.

FYI, upgrading your grounds regardless of the engine, make or model will ALWAYS increase the life of your electrical components, mainly the alternator, battery and starter

Glad to hear you sorted it out man! Doing the above may help prevent future problems too if you're so inclinde

BigLou55

iTrader: (6)

my money is on the starter solenoid...exact symptoms of what your describing. Your better off replacing the entire starter.

EDIT: just realized you found the issue lol I was right though and didn't even your the OP final post

cjandura

iTrader: (3)

Here is a odd one to check i had a issue where i had to move the gear selector(A/T) to get it to start only happened a few times and i havnt checked to see whats in there switch wise to clean.

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

:et face it it's that time to change your starter! The 2000-01 are going out like crazy now.....Too buy some extra time you can remove your starter and remove the stator and clean it and the housing interior with rake cleaner cause it's definitely full of brush dust! It might buty you and extra 3 months! good Luck

cabernet

Sounds like a problem with the stop/neutral switch

cabernet

Good sugestions. While I had the air box out I replaced the battery ground with an OEM one and also installed a 5 wire grounding kit sold here on the forums.

I noticed that Nissan has changed the ignition switch design since the 4th gen so maybe that problem doesn't affect us 5th geners.

releasedtruth

I've still got a similar problem, but replacing the starter, alternator, battery and ignition switch hasn't fixed it. I get more of an air raid siren sound however. Who's still selling those grounding kits?

cabernet

The guy is still selling them in the 5th Generation Parts for Sale forum. I installed the kit and haven't had any starting problems but hard to say if it was because of bad grounding. Be aware that it takes 2-3 weeks to get the kit after ordering it.

Festus Portnoy

glad i stumbled upon this post! i'm experiencing the same issues and didn't know where to start -- switch, relay, neutral switch, solenoid, or starter. thanks for the helpful info!

T_Behr904

I've owned my car for 2 years and had to replace the starter twice. The first time I had the car maybe 3 months, and the second time just recently last week. The starter locked up, so it won't "click" or anything else. I nursed it for a few days by tapping on it to free it, but that didn't last long before it locked up for good. Bought the previous starter from Napa, and it only had a 1 year warranty, and it failed a year and a half later. This one I have now I purchased from O'Reilly Auto Parts. They were the only ones I could find in my area that offered a LIFETIME replacement warranty on the starter, and it was $117 dollars, plus tax.

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

We reaaaaally need a "Car Won't Start" Thread that consolodates common issues and the first things to check.

I've wanted to put it together for a while but haven't had the time/ambition to do it.

BigLou55

iTrader: (6)

+1 on that tuner. I can say your exhaust thread was very good, so if you ever decide to make this "Car Won't Start" thread I don't see why it wouldn't become a sticky.

zsolt117

Mine is doing something similar to that, but yall say it doesn't click, mine does. The car will have full power to everything but when I turn the key everything shuts off and I hear a single click then nothing, starter? The car has 180k on it and as far as I know everything is still factory and if it was replaced it was a used one. Also it doesnt always refuse to start this is the 3rd time in the past month and a half.

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

Sounds like battery

Brl24

^^ I'd say... Sounds like a battery without enough charge. I had this problem sometimes it would be fine, others it would cranks longer than normal and sometime it wouldn't start even with a boost. New battery and it started like a champ every time

Toxic!

iTrader: (3)

Since this is a 'Starter problem' thread, would this be a starter? It happens intermittently as well. Sounds like it grinds and it doesn't start up. I noticed it mainly when I don't drive my car for a day or so.

T_Behr904

Yep it's the starter. I've put 2 starters in my car in the 2 years i've owned it. I purchased my latest starter from O'Reilly Auto Parts since it's the only place around here that has a lifetime warranty on the starter. I recommend replacing your starter as soon as you can, because when it starts doing what it's doing in your video, it won't be long before it locks up.

Toxic!

iTrader: (3)

It does it on and off. Mainly off. It stopped doing it for like a whole year and I forgot about it until now that the temperatures dropped (I don't know if that affects it or not). Will do. Thanks

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

^^TOXIC I was responding to this guy, not you.

I will review your video, but I think the consensus for your issue is that it's a starter.

zsolt117

Not the battery. what about the ignition switch?

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

How do you know that?

I'll put together a half-a$$ed 'no start' thread. Your tests will be there.

Don't expect anything lovely. It'll be far from my 'usual' thread.

zsolt117

Because I tested the battery and tried a new one.

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

^^ >> http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...rt-thread.html

rvanders37

had this same problem and Verified its the starter solenoid by hitting it with a medal rod a few times and then the car started. this only after replacing battery, alternator and checking fuses all over the car.

Richard Ell

My 2001 Nissan Maxima has been an incredibly faithful beast. But the starter has given me trouble for about 5 months. Sometimes it just Clicks and does not turn over.
Then it turns over. It's been doing this intermittently and getting worse. I wanted to avoid fixing it, as the Shop wants about $375 to replace the starter and I doubt I can do it myself. But yesterday the dashboard lights started coming on. Suddenly, I remembered this happening before - about 10 years ago.

Finally, I "Made The Connection" - about 5 months ago, as a matter of Preventive maintenance, I replaced the battery. Last time the battery went bad, the same thing happened: Dashboard lights all came on, car started bucking, then went Kaput. Cells went dead, and when there was no longer enough Juice to power the Fuel Injection, POOF.

So I removed the cable connectors and SANDED them thoroughly, plus the battery posts. There was a LOT of Oxidation on them. Only after a LOT of sanding, did I discover they appear to be BRASS. Probably not getting a complete connection. IT WORKED. No problems so far, and it's been two days. RECOMMEND: Do this first. It costs nothing and just might fix it. Apparently the car's system was getting enough power to function, but occasionally not enough to give the Starter the BUMP that it needs. WORTH A TRY. I almost paid $375 for work I did not need.