i need to know what to do. i have a 97 maxima se. when i start the car up cold, i get a grinding type sound from the engine. could this be a starter problem, or something more serious?

 

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My wife's 1995 Maxima GXE does the same thing. It only happens during the first start on a cold (under 40-degrees) day. It sometimes takes two or three cranks to get it to fire up. Even when it "kicks over" on the first attempt, the engine makes a harsh sound when you release the starter. Any time the weather is warmer, the car works flawlessly.

We have owned it since it was new, and it now has 75,000 miles on it. It has been serviced regularly, we use synthetic oil -- and the spark plugs were replaced at 60k. My fuel filter was changed at about 50k as well.

I posted this topic last week, and received a few good replies. The solutions ranged from replacing the starter to cleaning the throttle body. Another person did indeed say that the '95 to '97 cars had some starter troubles.

Good luck!!

 

This one is easy. It's the starter. My car did that too, same symptom as yours (cold temperature, first start, etc..). I replaced my starter, and the noise has been gone since.

For details on regreasing the starter, which is worth doing before replacing it, check out motorvate.ca

If regreasing doesn't work, then you will need to replace it. I purchased my starter for $150 at Kragen with a lifetime warranty. It isn't as fancy as the Bosch or Hitachi OEM, but it works right. Besides, who wants to buy an OEM unit when those tend to breakdown and make grinding noises.

Good luck.

 

aw man. i had that grinding noise too, but i only hear it when i have my door open when i start it. I've just gotten used to it...heh.

 

If I don't give the car a long enough crank from the ignition, I'll hear a slight grinding sound. Started a month ago and has only happened to me twice.

 

I have the same problem. and get to fix it soon. will post again after I done it.

 

I seem to hear some type of grinding noise also but it goes away after a couple minutes of driving.

Seems to happen when the engine is cold.

When I start the car I don't hear any grinding noises it's only when I start to drive I'll hear it.

Is this also related to the starter?

 

Not if you're not hearing it during/immediately after startup. That's the only time the starter actively does anything.

Also, bumping 5 year old threads FTL...but he's banned now.