I am having the following problem with my 96 Maxima.
The following has happened about 4 times so far.
If i have driven my car for some time (more than 30 mins)
and then having turned off my engine to run an errand at a
shop. After i come back, the car will not start.

It will make a cranking sound, but will not start. My batteries
are fine, the head lights and the fan run fine with the battery.

I have noticed that after i let it cool and try starting again
after a couple of hours, it starts just fine.

I took it to the dealer and they were of not much help. Any help
on this appreciated.


Thanks
Suri

 

If you just heard a *click* sound, then I'd say to check your connections because when the temprature is either really hot or really cold, wires tend to lose conductivity and if the wire is already bad, it won't be able to conduct proper current to the starter.

I don't think your starter is bad since it cranks... perhaps it's ure ignition switch.

 

maybe a fuel relay thats getting to hot in the motor compartment.

 

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I do hear *click* sound when the engine does not start. Is there
any specific connections that i should for?

Thanks

 

That sounds like a fuel pressure issue to me. I would look at the fuel system. What sounds like is happening is that the pressure is leaking out of the manifold and the heat from the engine is causing a vapor lock condition, making it much harder, if not impossible to start when warm, but also why it starts right up when cold.

 

Do a search for "starting problem" and "coolant temp sensor." When Daniel B Martin was on the BBS, he and I came up with this wild idea that the warm start problem was due to the ECU misreading the coolant temp sensor and trying to do a hot start instead of a cold start. Hence, lots of cranking, but the engine doesn't turn over. Usually giving it a bit of gas will get it to fire up for me.

 

Alright, basically all the symptoms you've described was the same prblem i had w/ my celica... which i've helped some other ORG members about and it's your wire connections. Check the wires connectd to the terminals... they may corroded or whatnot. ALL WIRES that are connected to the starter, follow them back to whre they are and see if they are dirty or whatnot. If all else fails, replace them and it should be fine.

 

Before I joined the miltary I worked for my dad for 10 years at his auto shops and that problem sounds like the temp. sending unit. Had that problem with several cars and that was the prob. OK when cold but cannot start after a little driving. Simple test is to just disconnect the temp wire and see if it starts after driving it a bit. Hope everything works out.
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