Wanted to see if anyone knows why I'm having this problem. I've had my 2001 max for 4 months (purchased in Nov 2001, good deal) and every once and a while (every 2 weeks or so) it takes several cranks to start. I'm not being picky here and I'm NOT just talking about a slow start in cold weather. When this occurs, I usually crank for 5 seconds or so and notice it doesn't start. Then I try again and it usually starts on the 2nd try after another series of (uncommon) cranks. Why do I have this problem? Am I driving my max too hard? I drive mostly highway miles to work and I speed a lot. I get up to 100 many times a week on my way to and from work. Please respond


2K1 SE, 5 speed, Sterling Mist W/ frost Leather
2K2 HID's, 2K2 tailights, 2K2 shift console, AE pedals,
door sills, shift ****, smc sts, drop in k&N filter,
Fog light rewire, piaa fogs, shock sensor w/ fac alarm

Just a few more mods to come, then I'm done

 

I had the same problem, on occasion, with my Auto 2000 Maxima SE. I think it was because my air filter was absolutely filthy. I've since replaced the dirty stock filter with a K&N drop-in filter and I haven't any more problems.

Have you checked your air filter? That may be it.

 

Get used to it. I have had this phenom since I bought mine a year ago. Spent much time in loaner cars from the dealership trying to fix it. All to no avail. Never fails to start, just experience an "intermittent long start" (as I got used to saying). I have learned to live with it.

PS "Search" will provide more detailed discussions, but the problem was never resoled -- only speculative.

 

ive also had that problem on my 2k max but somthing hapened to my ecu one night at the drag strip and i had to get it reprogrammed and since then it hasent done it

 

happens to many 5th gen maximas. It also happens on 4th gens too. We took a 4th gen to the mountains and it was about 40 F outside and it wouldn't start for a few minutes, it was a little scary, but mostly embarassing as the rental corollas and civic all started fine.

Some have suggested turning the key to "on" for a few seconds, in theory to prime the fuel pump, then crank it. There was also a theory if you drove somewhere, parked, turned off the engine, then decided to start it back up in too short a time interval, then sometimes the engine will hesitate a bit. That said, there has has been to good solution put forth yet.

Most of the time the maxima will start, but it feels like it has to try harder than other cars.

 

Yes, I got a K&N drop in filter about 2 months ago. I have had the problem with or w/out the new air filter. My car has too few miles on it to even have made the old cone filter dirty. Maybe I should reset the ecu?

 

It happens to mine occasionally too. It seems to occur somewhere around 40deg. I have suspected that there is a temperature where the ecu switches from very cold to cool starting mode and gets "confused" when the temp is right on the line.

 

This makes a lot of sense! Yes, it seems like the temperature is around 40deg (give or take a few) when it has trouble. My max has no trouble starting in very cold weather (had a day in feb that was 3deg in the morn, started right up). This may be the case, good observation!

 

i had the same problem again today with my car and its about 80 in south east louisiana

 

Recently, my 01 Maxima, with 14,500 miles, aveage one or two times a week to have start problem. Normally it will happend after sitting a night.

I have replaced the air filter. Turn the key to ON for several seconds; clean the battery; However, no improvement.

 

I thought I was the only one with this problem. Mine actually didn't start one time, didn't even crank, just heard whirling sound. I had to call AAA. The guy started it by pushing the gas pedal all the way down and crank for about 5 secs. It whirled, then cranked, struggled and finally started. There was a big puff of black smoke. He told me he had to open the throttle all the way to get more air and the engine was flooded. I dunno. Now I still get the occasional long crank starts, about once every week. If anyone had success at the dealer with this, please share. Thanks.