I may not describe this well but please bear with me.

As the temperature is dropping here in RI, I have begun to notice an issue when trying to start my car. Take this morning for example. My car has sat overnight in the driveway, fresh full tank of 93 octane, maybe parked on a slight decline (front lower) and when I put the key in and turn, the engine or something sounds like it’s trying to start but cant. It makes like repetitious noise like its going to start but dies, I keep the key turned for like 3 or 4 seconds and it persist. I stop, and try again, and it starts up no problem. This only has been happening while it’s been cold, or when I haven’t driven for a while.

Do I have a problem? The car has 18,000 and is going into its first winter. Do I need to do anything? I haven’t had any real issues as of late. I would not know what to say to the dealer and I could prob never recreate it for them

I do remember my old 97 having this issue occasionally when the gas was low, and during very cold winters but only after the car was like 5 years old. This is a new 04 maxima I am talking about.

Thanks for your help.

 

As always cycle to on II, and wait for fuel pumps to prime.

Then turn over engine.

It can be a few issues, clogged injectors, bad plugs, dying battery, dying coils. Or can just be cold weather. Happens to me a few times in the winter, and I've had it in every car I've had. Synth oil should help startups in the winter.

If your problem gets worse or bothers you, give you friendly dealer a call and keep us posted :-D

 

When I bought the car the battery was dead. THey said they were putting in a new battery, and it appeared new. Maybe it wasnt?

 

I will try the wait at II, but I believe I have done that before and no luck. I guess I should make it a habit to always wait though.

 

I thought I read a TSB for this on Nissanhelp.com

Somewhat related...This morning was first start for me close to freezing. Started fine, but I noticed the RPM was at 1500 instead of around 750. Is this the engine warming itself up? I sat for a minute lightly revving it to see what would helped. As soon I put it in gear and crept onto the road, it dropped to normal idle speed. I tried to stay close to 2k RPM to allow her to warm to normal temp. since I know idling to warm the car is bad.

 

idling to warm the car is bad? I thought it was good to let the car warm up, warm the engine to mid way before driving?

 

no it's better to warm while moving by circulating the oil warming the entire engine togrther. you're supposed to drive slowly below the speed limit, or i guess with low RPM until temp reaches mid. Some sit for maybe a minute to get the needle to at least C, but idling is bad for gas and the engine.

but is it normal when cold for it to start at 1500 RPM?

 

damn, i never knew this, I have always been letting my cars warm up in the winter. Hell if I dont, they sound like crap and drive like crap, until they warm up that is.

 

In freezing temps Idle for at least 30sec -3 minutes to warm up the car. You want to warm up and oil up the engine enough to get going.

If it's really cold the engine will idle at a higher rpm than a normal operating temp idle rpm.

If we could monitor oil pressure it would be easier to tell everyone on the forums when it's best to go.

 

Yeah, when it's cold out my engine usually hovers around 1.2-1.5K until it warms up. I did notice that the other day (when we had the real cool/cold morning of the season here in Missouri) that the engine hovered at around 1500 RPM (and as noted, it will drop to about 750).

 

thank god i live in california. i don't have to worry about freezing temperature you guys are talking about.

 

nismomax80 your suppose to let your car warm up for a least 30sec-3min. everybody knows that!

 

so who's to say that everyone's right? I'd have gotten nowhere in life with that logic. The exceptionally intelligent mechanics and engineers I know, and have read about, recommend driving slowly to warmup. Everyone knows excessive idling is bad. what do you think you're doing sitting there until the heat kicks in? I'll do what I think is best... I'm not going to start her and pull out right away, but not going to sit around for a few minutes either. 30 sec max for me sitting, and i'll drive slowly for the first 2 miles, or until she's at optimal temp. esp. while she still has dyno.

I never sat and "warmed up" my '88 buick. I kept mobil 1 in it, still drives good with 140k.

ps: btw everyone also knows you're supposed to use YOU'RE {= you are} in YOUR {possession} sentence.

 

This is normal for all Nissans... They rev high right after startup during colder weather to warm/lubricate the engine... After a few minutes idling, the RPMs will creep back down to just under 1K... No worries...it's performing as designed...

 

Sure would love to be where most of you guys are. Up here in the Yukon in Canada, during the winter you absolutely have to idle your car for a long time, at least 15 minutes, before it even begins to warm up. Especially when the temperature gets down to -50. For the first few miles you're literally driving on squarish tires. Sucks big time!! Synthetic oil is a real good idea.
In warmer climates I would agree that extended idling is however a waste of fuel and time. As long as the roads aren't slippery with ice or snow, driving away with a high idle is not a problem.

 

To address the original question in this thread there is a TSB for non-starting in cold weather - you can see it here:

http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/nissa...pt_2/54467.asp

The dealer will replace the fuel pump with a higher capacity one to better charge the Fuel Injectors in cold weather...

Take your Max into the dealer - it should be under warranty...good luck!

 

Hmmm, the temp just dropped to 57F here in Dallas and I'm already getting hesitation when I start. Can't wait to see what happens near freezing.

 

Good idea to turn your key one click (or twice.. ) but befoer you crank the engine, till you hear all the beeps go off... that shd. give the fuel pump enuf time to start and do its job. ( correct me if I'm wrong !!)
On a colder start I have seen my car (and my previous 626) do the same ... for the first few KM it would not even go to a higher gear (unless I pushed it.. accel).. This would happen only during cold starts (temp really low)

But as has been said here before... extended idling does not do you, nor your car any good (except maybe in Yukon's case)

 

Freezing in Dallas ?

It was a frosty 23f in Ottawa yesterday. I got in turned the key and it started right up.

Bob

 

TSB NTB04-021

 

Marmadogg - thanks for the TSb.

SilverBelle04 - I know, I know. If ya ain't risking frostbite it ain't cold Of course I don't think you have 106F summers

 

LOL - i just wish we had "summer"

 

They replaced my fuel pump per the TSB and it's starting fine now. Let's see less than 2k miles and I have a new pump, new chrome roof molding and a serviced sunroof that wouldn't close. Nice work on initial build quality Nissan!

 

aaaawwwwww man wuz up with the 6th gens. I'm thinking bout getting one maybe but problems like these are just not tolerable.....

 

I have a 05SE and I have no problems with my baby whatsoever. They say don't buy a car that was built on Monday or a Friday. How can you tell I wonder? Maybe the people who are experiecing these issues got the Friday cars. I better watch it because mine may start acting up.