I'll be honest, I caused this problem. I've been trying to remove my crank pulley and the bolt just isn't having it. I'd been debating sticking the breaker bar on it and and starting it up, but after many tries with a couple impact guns I decided to go ahead. On the forums I saw a number of people that said they always did it this way. So I removed the fuse for the fuel pump, bled the rest of the fuel and then went at it. It didn't work, didn't even move the slightest. But I saw a bit of smoke coming from my passenger side under the hood and it smelled like burning wires. I of course cussed at myself and put everything back together and my car now was taking a bit longer to start and sometimes stalling on start up. It went from immediately to about 4-5 cranks every time. Once it's on it runs perfect all the time though. Auto zone checked my starter, alt, battery and they all passed. I'm totally at a loss. I checked again for burn marks or exposed wires and there's nothing I could see anywhere. If anyone has any idea what it could be PLEASE say it before I go insane.

 

Assuming there was no wind and the smoke was coming from the passenger side, I can only think of the alternator with wiring there. The starter, solenoid and cabling is all on the Driver's side. I also assume Autozone checked all the components "on car" then we are looking at connectors and wiring. Pay attention to the ground wires too. It is possible that the best path to ground was on the passenger side (not likely but hey,) but seriously, I think your starter is less effective than it was. If you haven't removed it yet, I would start there and take it off car and give it a good visual and sensory evaluation.

 

I was thinking it must be wiring but was hoping an issue with that would have shown up when they ran their tests. Also should add there's no codes and my obd doesn't say anything is wrong. No wind either, it was going straight up. I guess I'll do that look next. I've been trying to find a diagram of the wiring for the starter but no dice.

 

What year is your Maxima? The Factory Service Manual in my signature covers up to 2013 I believe. Should have starter wiring diagram.

 

It's a 2010. I have the owners manual but it's been a minute since I've looked through it.

 

The Wizard is referring to the Factory Service Manual not the owners manual. Click on the link on his post and you will see some wonderous information.

 

Ohhhh sweet lol no wonder I didn't remember a diagram.

 

Common mistakes:
Impact gun often needs very high psi that most home compressors can't deliver 155 to 175+ Don't forget when you hit the trigger there will be a big drop in pressure as are rushes through the hose.
Keep hose short - ideally 10' & 1/2" ID.
Consider buying the Earthquake series impact from harbor freight as those are designed to make a lot of power at "lower" pressures like 125 psi or less.

Options: Tire or local mechanic
Go to local tire shop / mechanic and offer to pay them to loosen the bolt then tighten just enough to get home and do your repair then revisit for a power tightening. Simple + cheap how often do you loosen your crank bolt anyway?

TIP: tell them you are installing test fitting a Nitrous system & also plan to cut the cat off - something they can't legally do or you would bring it to them for the work.

 

Vacuum leak suspected?