Max Won't Start....
 

Hi Guys,

Here's the scoop-- buddy has an '04 Max-- bought after I raved about my '96-- with a little less than 50k.

Got in this am, turned the key, and nothing. Wouldn't turn, no dead battery clicking, nothing-- like a total system failure. It had power-- battery was replaced 3 months ago, all lights are on, accessories work-- and everything seems "normal". Tried a few more times and still nothing. Waited about 15 minutes, tried it again, and it finally started as normal. Drove it around all am & still starting just fine.

Any ideas? Anyone else having this issue?

Starter solenoid maybe?

check your headlight fluids... they are prolly draining your battery.












































I actually vote starter as well. I assume no codes? isn't this another common problem among maximas?

Security light/Computer chip
 

Tighten the battery terminals.

Yea, I was thinking starter sol. as well. I had not thought of the "key" idea, so we'll check that one out, too.

Thanks for the responses!

10 to 1 not the Alarm system. Starter solenoid maybe. I vote Camshaft Position Sensor. Happened to me multiple times till I finally got a CEL and pulled the code. Replaced the Sensor and all is good. I am starting to see a trend people. :) Here read these threads: http://forums.maxima.org/6th-generat...hs-et-all.html and http://forums.maxima.org/6th-generat...-start-up.html

Sounds like a starter..

I had this same issue with my 04 this afternoon for the first time and searched the forums and found this. My problem was slightly different. I had actually gone to the supermarket, went in and came out 20 minutes later - unlocked the car with the key fob, got in and went to start the car. Everything came on normally (dash lights, etc) but when I went to crank the engine, everything suddenly went dead - as if the battery had suddenly come unplugged. No click or anything. I turned the key off - turned it back on and still nothing. Popped the hood - battery cables fine and tight, very clean, no corrosion. Got back in, turned the key on again - the dash/warning lights came on again. Turned the key to start - everything went dead. Got out, wiggled cables, turned key off and on to no avail - I couldn't find a problem at all. I was about to give up when I tried one last time - everything came on and the car started normally, as if nothing happened.

My first though was maybe the chip in the key was going bad and I either needed a new key or maybe it needed to be reprogrammed - I say this because as I drove home, I noticed the red "security" light on the dash had stayed on. Got home, turned the engine off and the security light went out and returned to normal status. I noticed that the clock and trip computer had reset, so definitely something went awry with the battery connection but I can't figure out where. The car has been fine ever since - for now.

Any ideas? Negative ground to chassis looks fine. I don't know what to do other than wait for it to happen again, I don't want to rip the car apart to get to fuse blocks looking for bad cable connections if I don't need to.

Well, no answers to my question - which is fine, because the problem hasn't happened since. Till today. In the parking lot of AutoZone, of all places. Since this is the first time I got the problem to recreate itself since the first episode, I left the ignition in the "on" position (figuring I'd hear the radio and relays click on once I got electrical continuity again) and opened the hook and started wiggling cables. It didn't take long. Neg cable was fine, but the positive cable to the battery was loose. Not "pull me off" loose, but loose enough for me to grab it and break contact to the battery. More concerning was that the terminal clamp was very rusty. I've seen corrosion on battery terminals before, but never rust (like it had gotten rain or road salt exposure) - probably contributing to a bad connection. Gonna hit the Nissan shop and get a replacement. Evidently between the time I used the remote to open the door and start the car, the shudder from closing the door on the car was just enough to jar the cable the tiniest bit. Anyway, happy(?) ending to an aggravating experience!

I would clean the battery terminals and tighten the lugs tight. They dont have to be very loose to fail, as u found out. If you have full power but it doesnt start, make sure ur clutch is in all the way if ur a 6 sp manual. If ur an auto, make sure tranny is in park. Wiggle the shift lever some wile u try to start it.

I've had this happen to numerous vehicles. It was either the battery terminals or carboned up starter.

Last week I was putting gas on my '04 and after I filled her up she wouldn't start, and the electronics wouldn't work either. After an SUV couldn't jump start it I called AAA and they were able to do it but the car died when I turned on the headlights. I got it towed home and replaced the battery the next day.

It worked after the replacement but the engine has died twice since, if only briefly. The electronics would work but the engine would shut off. But it would work again if I restarted it. Also, the security light stays solid if I lock it using the remote. Any ideas?

Try telling the max your gonna sale him if he dosent get his **** together

Vote for this one it happen to me befored.

What kind of voltage do you have before you start, while it's cranking, and then once it's running? Sounds like an alternator which if faulty has probably drained your battery

I didn't check the voltage but just took it to my mechanic. Turns out the throttle body was gunky and stuff and needed cleaning. No problems with that in the hour that it's been since I picked up the car.

if it's only starting in neutral I think that's an issue with the neutral safety switch. I had a Nissan Stanza with that issue back in the day and I would just start it in neutral.

They couldn't get it started, but they noticed that the security light was lit when they tried to start it.
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