Hello folks,
One of my problems recently is that every morning my starter is grinding at frist attempt, then it starts the engine at the 2nd attempt without any problem. My 88 Maxima has 196 thousand original miles in it, the sun gear on the flywheel was replaced with a brand new one 60000 miles ago, and the starter was also replaced with a rebuilt one 50000 miles ago. (for the same reason).

Does, someone has an idea what can cause this?
The battery is brand new and I did notice, that it has a tendency to grind colder the outside temperature is.

(during the day it cranks the engine without any griding.)

Geza

 

The fuel might be bleeding back into the tank, so there isn't really any gas in the system while you crank it the first time. By starting it the second time, the computer is pulsing the injectors longer to start it faster, and the fuel pump has been on from the first attempt. Try turning on the key to just before the 'start' position. That'll start up the fuel pump and re-pressurize the system. You should be able to hear it going in the back for a second or two then kinda stops when the system is pressurized. You'll likely have to do it every time the car's been sitting for around 45min +. If you listen closely, you can hear the fuel pump while the car is running. See if that makes any difference. Also, your injectors might be leaking or clogged up.

 

Well, the problem is not fuel system related for sure. When I said "grinding" I meant, a loud grinding noise is coming from the starter-flywheel connection because the starter can not or will not engage completely, instead it is just "licking" the flywheel.
(Btw., I always wait with starting the engine until the fuel pump pressurizes the fuel system and stops buzzing, but this has nothing to do with the starter problem.)
Geza

 

My car occasionally has this problem.....but like I said it's on occasion. It could be a weak start ring on the flywheel...but you mentioned it was replaced. It could be something mechanical wise with the motor. How often does this happen? How is the motor, does it burn oil, does it seem "tired"?

S

 

Since it only happens at the first time start on any given day morning (it starts fine even first time if I start the car at around noon when it is really hot outside, so the starting system really is really acting like this: colder the outside temperature at first start on a given day, longer it is going to grind.
Like if the battery wouldn't have 100% charged, or oxidised battery cable terminals, or bad ignition switch, or short circuited starter motor or that big bulky switch on the starter motor (sorry, I don't know the name of it in English
I can feel, that if I had this car somewhere in any Northern state, it wouldn't start below 32 F degree.

Geza

 

It sounds to me like the solenoid (the big "switch" on the starter you referred to) may be going out...

I have the same problem...but it's random, throughout the day...it'll start fine once, the next time, it'll grind/whine a little, maybe 2-3 attempts, then it starts fine...etc...