Good evening all. I'm new to the group and have a problem I'm trying to figure out. I just got a 2000 Maxima GLE with 105K original miles. About an hour after my sister-in-law parked it in my driveway it wouldn't start. I have interior and exterior lights. The battery and starter have been tested and passed. I tried jumping it off with the jumper cables being on for about 20 minutes and nothing. The only sound it makes when I turn the key is the fuel pump. I've checked the fuses and replaced the inhibit relay and still nothing. I had a mechanic say he thinks it's the alternator. I'm wondering about the ignition. Any thoughts? Like I said, it had just been driven and sat for less than an hour. Thanks for any ideas.

 

does it crank and not start or doesn't crank at all?

 

It doesn't make a sound when I turn the key other than the fuel pump. No clicking, not trying to turn over, nothing.

 

the whole diagnostics you've done doesn't sound right. If the only sound it makes when you turn the key is the fuel pump and a mechanics tells you you need an alternator, you might want to find another mechanic.

If the car is not cranking when you turn the key, you might have a bad starter. If car is an automatic, try starting it in neutral or move the shifter around reverse/neutral/drive while the key is in the cranking position. If that doesn't work, hit the starter solenoid a few times while someone cranks the engine

 

I put it in neutral and tried that as well, still nothing.

 

I pulled the starter out and had it tested and it was good, the same with the battery.

 

Attached is a decision table I have put together some time ago for situation like yours; to view the table, click on the "starting problems" link in my signature below.

 

Thanks.

 

Maxiiboy,
The link is gone. Do you mind sending it again? Thanks.

 

Here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xhk...w?usp=sharing

 

Thanks. So about 10-15 seconds after I turn the key there's a faint grinding sound at the starter and then a clicking sound from the front relay box. Thoughts?

 

Replace the starter.

 

That's what I was thinking. I had it tested at AutoZone and it passed. But now I think you're right. Thanks.

 

Stay away from AutoZone. And the rest of the parts houses. Apathetic minimum wage stoners diagnosing my car? No thanks.

 

Lol, good point. I appreciate the advice.

 

Ok, I've replaced the starter and the car cranks right up. But it starts when the key is in the on position. When I turn it all of the way, it doesn't go back to the on position once it's cranked. The starter continues to spin. This is not my car, it's my sister-in-laws. I'm thinking bad ignition switch. Any ideas?

 

Obviously.

 

Thanks.

 

So I finally changed the ignition switch today and no fix. Car is still trying to crank when the key is in the on position and starter still spinning after it's cranked.