I have noticed something about my car as it is getting older. It is only like 1 and a half years old but still, it feels like it is struggling to start up. Before, I would just turn the key and the car would just fire right up. Now, it takes a little longer for it to start because it takes longer for it to turn over. I was wondering if any of you were experiencing this. By the way, this is one of many things going wrong with car. I have had so many major repairs done to my car and am considering selling it before my warranty runs.

 

i probably have the most miles on this forum and my baby still starts right up with no problems. i am sorry your having problems.

 

The Lemon law applies for new cars if you have taken into the shop 4 or more times for the same/closely related problems. Call a local lemon law att. to find out the specific's for your state ...

 

I live in Texas and am pretty sure that the lemon law does not apply to me. I wish it would but I think it doesn't apply to cars over a year old.

 

Lemme ask, how are you starting the car? Stick the key in quickly and turn, or do you turn the key in phases? Here is what I'm getting at. If the computer doesn't have enough time to process that the car is about to start then it will take a little longer to turn over. By longer I mean 4 cranks or more. Also here are some other ideas.

Airflow mass sensor dirty or bad. Sensor tells the puter the car isn't getting enough air so it will crank more. (check your air filter, or try to located the airflow sensor and clean it).

CPS, Crank Positioning Sensor - If going bad you could have upto 5+ cranks with no fire, release the key and try again and it turn over is a sign of a bad CPS.

No or little spark - change the spark plugs.

Fuel line, or little pressure in the fuel line.

Dirty Injectors? Have you been putting 86 Octane in? If so try some injector cleaner.

I sure there are some others, I'm just tired of typing... Also, none of the above could be your issues. They are just some examples of what can cause long cranking to starting issues.

 

Had my car 2 1/2 yrs and she starts right up - no issues.

 

I was wondering, could it possibly be early signs of the battery dying? I've experienced this problem on a Lincoln. I changed out the battery and the engine turned over with ease after the replacement.

 

how much gas do you have in there? IF you are running close to Empty it takes a little while to start

 

The battery may be going bad. When batteries get older they can't put out the cranking amps necessary. Also, are all the fans/ac radio off when you turn on the vehicle. The more accessories you have running while trying to start a car the longer it may take to start. My gut feeling is that the battery is not up to snuff. Take it to autozone and do a free battery check.

 

[QUOTE=maxmale]i probably have the most miles on this forum

How many miles?

I have over 45,000 miles on the car and never had a problem starting the car be it summer or winter.

 

my car has 50k+ on it and it starts fine, it actually seems to start up quicker after the timing advance.

 

This is a known issue.
Try this.


http://www.nissanhelp.com/Ownership/.../NTB04-021.htm

 

What does the timing advance do besides starting up the car faster? Thanks Warren

 

7500 miles, I use only Sunoco 94, she starts right up.

 

2 years no prob...but if I were you Id just replace the battery.

 

wow that blows.

 

I've had starting problems with my '05 Max SE. No ryhme or reason so far and despite the 3 trips into dealership, they've never been able to duplicate problem - it's so sporadic. I've had the car 8 months and have 10,500 miles on it.

The dealership agrees that it should start "first time, everytime". It doesn't, mostly when its warm and just been shut off - i.e. drive to dry cleaners, drop off clothes and then try to restart - starts usually on 2nd or 3rd time. On several occassions, I've had to crank 6 or more times. Its annoying to be sitting in a parking lot with a brand new car and grinding on it like its an old beater!!! Mine always cranks ok, but either isn't getting fuel or spark.

Also, FYI, I always turn on key to accessory for a few seconds and then turn to start. I'm not the type that shoves the key in and then cranks instantaniously.

I've also tried premium and regular fuel for several weeks at a time.... having same problems starting with either grade.

I'd love to have this issue be resolved, its a sore point with me.

 

You might be getting a bad connection between the battery terminals and the cables on the car. You can take the cables off and clean the terminals with a brush (they got one at autozone/sears/oreillys for 2 or 3 bucks) and see if that helps. You could also use baking soda and coke. Try cleaning first, then take it to sears or where ever and have them check the battery. if the battery is good and the terminals are clean, then it's dealer time IMO.

 

Ok, I might be a little slow, so if I'm wrong, please type your response slowly so I can grasp the big words. The attached sticky with the TSB on the starting issue has to deal with the computer not getting a good signal from the key, blah, blah, blah. ranjittz seems to have a problem with the battery or starter or alternator and this is not covered in the sticky. My 02 Max SE had the battery replaced after 6 months b/c it wouldn't hold a charge and made starting the car difficult- had to be jumped 3 times.

I guess I'm just not getting the purpose of this site if people can't post questions and get some helpful replies. It seems as though those that responded to this thread were not put off by "having" to respond to the post. They did so to try and help a fellow Max owner, if they thought this topic was answered or a stupid question, nobody would have responded or had directed him to the link that addresses his question. I understand the rules of not posting about racing, using foul language, where to post, etc but to post a question and then be told to look at a sticky that doesn't answer his question or to call the dealer to get an answer makes this site seem useless at times.

Well, my bags are packed and awaiting any ban that may be coming my way. I do want to say that I like this site but I think it can be a little more tolerant of innocuous posts.

 

its the accident you met with. your body shop guys did not do a good job.

 

Id say install a ground kit on it...

 

Turing the ignition switch in phases is a good thig because it allows your fuel pump time to prime the fuel rail with adequate pressure. In many cars this becomes an issue due to fuel rail leakdown caused by a leaky injector or check valve. This however doesn't seem to be your issue.

You described the starter actually spinning slower than it did when you got the car and this is related to an aging battery and inadequate battery current and voltage under load. When the starter loads the battery too much there isn't enough battery voltage to run the ECU. These Nissan ECUs are very fickle about their supply of power. I can't even roll start my car if the battery is too low because of this.

 

I agree wholeheartedly with you Bad. I guess you must first check with Nismo to see if he deems it a "stupid" question before posting. He evidently knows everything there is to know about the Maxima's, so don't dare waste his time making him read about other peoples problems!

 

FYI Nismo - The TSB only applies to "cold soaks" (i.e. cold start problems) my problem is mainly a "warm soak" problem (after car has been driven.

 

Good intelligent reply, I vote you stay...

 

me too!!! we can all learn from each other!

 

FYI - Someone alluded to this above.... the problem may be your starter. When your starter begins to go bad, it can cause symptoms that seem like your battery is weak. I'm not a gear head, but I'll do my best to explain it. It has something to do with where the internal spinning part of the starter stops. If it stops on a "bad" area, it requires more current (amperage) to turn the starter, and thus sounds like the battery is weak. I had this experience when my last starter went bad on a GM vehicle and a co-worker also had this problem on Ford product. If it is your starter, you will have sporadic instances of this problem, since it depends where the starter stops spinning - i.e. if it stops on a good section, the next time you engage the starter, it will start ok, but if it stops on a bad section, it will turn slowly and labor to turn over the engine. Eventually, the starter will fail and will not work at all.

My point is that not to over look that this may be a starter problem. I agree with those posts above (except Nismo), that you should first start with having your battery checked. Then, if that's ok, you may want to have the dealer also check your starter, I believe they can check the amperage draw across the starter, which should tell them whether its functioning properly

 

I doubt his starter is going bad at only 1.5 years old. As I said above, it is proably the battery. I would bet money that if he put in a brand new battery and did nothing else he will notice significant improvement. I have already been through this on several occasions with my car.

 

have an 04 also ,,no problems starting at all....

 

what ever happened to ranjittx? he hasn't been online since the day he posted this thread. wondering if he ever got his starter resolved, or just got rid of the car?

and what about MastMax? also no word since this thread....

still starts right up for me, even after sitting a week. i would have tried Advanced Auto and w/ or w/o any info there headed to the dealer until it got fixed.

 

ditto.....

 

@ $3.29 per gallon I start mine as little as possible...

 

Its $3.74 for high test here in Brooklyn. I car is in the shop getting the bumper fixed so I didn't have to buy gas for a week.

 

I read this post a while back and i did not have this problem. Its been almost 4 months now that i have had this car and about 4,000 miles on it and i am getting your cars starting problem. It does fire up but it takes a little longer that it used to, kind of sounds like it struggling just a bit.