i replaced the starter in my 2000 maxima gle. hooked up everthing and started ok. then, with ignition off, an electric motor started running. sounds like it is in the front of the engine bay. its not the radiator fans. i have pulled all of the relays and it still runs. sounds like a pump motor. i have no idea what it is. re-checked the connections under the blower assembly that i had removed to install starter. anybody had an issue like this. please advise.

 

Posts like this have been popping up. Only a couple things "run" with engine off when power is applied. Could be one of three things: 1. ABS - but that is located beneath the intake about the strut tower. 2. Electric motor mount - will buzz or hum when going out. If youve not unplugged it, do so. The front one is located below the fans, so that is likely your culprit.

I'd also throw out the idea of the Tranny solenoids -though the car isn't running, I'm not sure if these are powered up or not. Probably not the solenoids, but wanted to throw that out there if the other two check out fine.

 

When you unplug the motor mounts, have the engine running at over 1,000 rpm so the mounts will be in firm mode.

 

it was an ABS motor running. an abs wire was pinched and was causing the motor to run constantly.

 

Good to hear. Still a great idea to address those electric mounts.

 

How can you tell if the motor mounts is bad and why does Nissan use electric mounts?

 

You can tell if they are bad through an electronic humming noise they are reported making. A better way is to do a visual inspection for cracks, holes, and oil leaking from the mount.

Nissan used electronic mounts ONLY on the automatic transmission Maximas. This was essentially to address increased vibrations and in-cabin noise due to stiffer mounts. Had they stuck with soft mounts, then under high loads and acceleration, there would have been too much engine movement and added wear on all the mounts, as well as decreased power transfer to the wheels. So, they decided a means to have both. Soft mounts at idle to eliminate vibrations and subsequent noise inside the car. Then, upon acceleration the mount(s) stiffen to anchor the engine down and improve power delivery to the wheels.

 

Thank you for the clarification.