I have a 1998 Nissan Maxima. For a couple of months I would only start in the morning if I gave it some gas. If I started it, it would start but would eventually die if I didn't give it gas. Well this morning I tried to start it and it would only clilck, the starter wouldn't turn or anything. I bought a starter and installed it. I started the car before putting everything back together and it started up ok but it still sounded kind of weak. I figured it was not a problem becuase it might need a little break in period. Well I put everyting back together and tried to start it again. The starter would turn, but the enging wouldn't start. I couldn't figure out what was wrong. I replaced the spark plugs and made sure each cylinder was firing, still nothing. I sprayed some starter fluid in the throttle body, but still nothing. I tried to run the self diagnostic test on it but nothing came up. Anybody know of what it can be. COuld any sensors need replacing. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. Car has 125,000 miles on it. Battery and alternator are brand new.

 

I had a similar problem and actually ruined my starter trying to troubleshoot everything and found that it was just a crank sensor. The one on the front of the car attached to the tranny that senses the ring gear. But I also pulled that code from self diagnosis...so if you're not pulling a code...that seems odd to me. My part was about 100 bucks from Nissan...I also replaced the other sensor right below the crank pulley but that didn't affect anything. However I know these sensors can directly affect starting...(continuously turning motor). Hope it helps and that you don't waste any money replacing something that didn't need replacing like me.

 

When doing the self diagnostic tests the key has to be set at on right? Will the car be able to produce these codes if I can't start it. I can't tell if the check engine light is on because the car won't start. If the key is placed to the on position everything lights up which is normal right? Then once you start the car, the lights will slowly start to turn off right? If all that is right, then if I recall, the check engine light never came on.

 

look into the stickys on how to pull codes its very simple.

 

It still sounds like a weak battery, or bad connection. Check all of the connections from the battery to the starter. Or maybe even a bad ground wire. Will it start if you jump start it? If so, that could eliminate a lot of chasing around, and pinpoint that it is not the starter, or any codes.

 

dunno, usually when it has problem starting, it either the starter, battery, or the alternator; or like Rit said, it mite be a bad connection; but the sensors doesnot have anything to does with the car starting, it basically deals with the way it runs.
good luck