got a 99 Maxima and ive noticed every once n a while i turn the key to the start position n hold it and the motor doesnt turn over till a second later. i wanna fix this before it becomes a problem.

 

like your starter is taking long to engage? my motor turns over like a second after turning key to start position, so that sounds normal. unless you not explaining correctly.

 

I would check the ignition switch itself. You turn the key and nothing happens and then you put more pressure on the key and the switch makes its connection.

 

lol well no like one time i had the key turned over and 2 seconds later right before i was gonna turn the key off n back on again to see if it would start it fired up. its like a delay and sometimes i feel like it isnt gonna do anything at all.

 

Get a test light and tap it into the thin wire on the starter. See if the light comes on at the instant when you turn the ignition switch. If the light comes on and you have the delay, the starter has a problem.

If the light is delayed, then you may have a lazy, slow acting relay; clutch interlock relay if manual trans, park/neutral position relay if auto trans.

 

yea, it seems like a slow acting relay cause it dont do notthing while key it turned to start and sometimes i hear a small click like a relay then motor turns over.


should i change the relay or neutral safety switch?

 

No, if you hear a click before the starter turns, I would check the starter. Is it an OEM starter??

 

It may be the ignition switch is bad, more likely starter solenoid located in the starter. Get the starter tested or replace it. Or you can wait, if it is the starter it will probably fail soon.

 

mine was also doing this before and i replaced ignition switch had starter and alt tested and it still did it...it turned out the person i bought the car from had a heavy key ring and had too much weight on the ignition cylinder too long and it knocked the catch loose in the cylinder...the problem with the cylinder is it is over 150$ for a 97 so i don't want to know what it is for a 99 if you want an idea to try for a temp fix let me know. this isn't a very good thing but it will work for a while if the cylinder is the problem its what i did to mine.

 

The park/neutral position relay is under the hood by the battery, so I don't think that is what you are hearing. There are 3 relays that are mounted on the fuse panel that you could be hearing.

Have you tried starting the car while in neutral? This would either point to the neutral starter switch itself or eliminate it. The park/neutral position relay is still a possible cause.

If the starter solenoid was sticking, the test light would illuminate but the engine would not be cranking. I think you indicated that the light was off. If the light was off, then I don't think the starter is the problem.

 

Sounds electrical, but, if you do need a starter and I have a spare refurbished one in excellent condition I will sell cheap and ship at cost.

 

yea, i seriously dont know because a month ago the starter got weaker and weaker in a two week period then got to the point to where it didnt wanna start then it fixxed itself and now crank fast everytime.

 

i think it is OEM starter too.

 

starters can have an extended life on their way out, depends on how things line up when you shut down the car. Sometimes you just have to hit it with a tire iron or bar, something heavy, but, at that point it's only a short matter of time before they go completely...

 

I'd try a different starter and go from there.

 

I have one listed on eBay ( Item number: 290599921576 ) if you want, I can cut a better deal for a forum member as well as nail the shipping to least cost at your call between reg mail, expedited or courier. It is refurbished and hardly used. No wear on teeth, extended gear sprocket and all bolts and connection points very clean. It's a 1/2 hr job to remove and install. Can help with that drill too.

 

My maxima does this from time to time too. Always catches the second time. I'm pretty sure it was because the PO had a heavy keyring since applying a little more pressure gets it started.

 

I have a worse Problem, my 02 takes 6 seconds to start.

 

SeaFoam should take 5 seconds off that 6.

 

If you have an 02 WTF are you doing in 4th Gen?