Sounds like teeth grinding against the flywheel. I bench tested the starter and it's fine. Reinstall and same grinding... and then it started! Went 3 days, no problems, and this morn same grinding. Bench test again, no problem.

Flywheel teeth looks fine, but I couldn't get a flat screwdriver in there w/enough torque to turn it and check the rest of the teeth. Just wondering, what's the likelihood of a bad flywheel or loose flywheel?

Dr J

 

You sure the starter gear is retracting all the way after the car starts up?

 

Sounds like the throwout bearing to me...

 

Update: This's on an auto. I replaced the starter, this time, sounds like the starter tries to turn the flywheel, but can't. So I assume dead battery? (At this point, no dash lights... prob from all the starts I been trying). Try to jump, but still no dash lights, and definitely nothing when trying to start.

Swap in another used battery, many sparks fly as I attach the neg wire, so I quickly detach the wire. Interesting thing: key is in my pocket, it's in Park, and the starter wound up for the instant I attached the negative... maybe that's why it sparked? But why would the starter try to go when there's no key in the ignition? I'm sooo puzzled. I'd go get another battery, but I've already rode my bike 5 miles to get the starter, and not feeling like toting the battery 20miles round trip to Sams to get pro-rate.

Dr J

 

Diagnosis: hydrolock. Good thing it wasn't the Max.

 

next time you want to inspect the flywheel or rotational movement turn the crank pulley bolt with a socket (clockwise or it might break loose and youll have to retorque it) note*(the crank will be hard to turn at certain points in the rotation )also pull the drive belts and spin each pulley by hand to rule out siezed pumps or pulleys

 

That's why you're called "maximacgyver". I forgot about the drive belts. I'll remember that next time. Car is up and running now.

Dr J

 

thanks you sir , I try to be clever with the names but really im more of a intermediate maximechanic although i have "mcgyvered"
some things ,but i try to stay away from "ghetto rigging"

 

My 02 maxima grinds as well, But it is my Catalytic converter falling apart from the iside. It has 208,000 miles.

 

sometimes i dont even want to start my car because... well i just feel bad for it.. lol. its a terrible sound like metal to metal sometimes ill stop cranking right away than try again. like makes the car shake kinda... sux
it just doesnt start up smooth(new fuel filter) its never the same idk

 

cat converters are supposed to be covered by an 8 year warranty(not sure about milage limitations tho)example...my friends 2000 mazda millinia-s
,dealer said you need both new converters,friend got sad,i read in owners warranty that it was covered for eight years,friend gets both new for free

 

do you get white smoke from you exhaust like mine did?
Dr J

 

not the type that doesnt dissapear.... idk.. sounds like the starter is loose of something i dont like starting my car its not a strong crank maybe grounds or a new starter