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Car Forum / Nissan / Nissan Maxima / May 2004

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Bad starter relay?

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David Geesaman - 02 Apr 2004 19:38 GMT
   My 97 (117k, 5sp) has given me starting trouble a couple of times in the
last few months.  The conditions are generally random (hot engine, cold
engine, cold weather, cool weather).  When I turn the key to crank I get no
crank or click and the lights dim until I back off with the key.  Turning
off my climate control and radio then gets it to crank and start as normal.
I'll take a wild guess that the starter relay is going bad and is requiring
too much power draw when it's misbehaving.

   Starter, alternator, and battery all less than 2yrs/30k old.  Should I
replace the relay, or start somewhere else?

   Dave
Jim - 02 Apr 2004 22:17 GMT
Sounds like a bad starter to me. Where did your less than 2yr old
starter come from? Was it really new then, or one of the so called
"rebuilt" ones that are usually just someone else's old one with the
immediate problem fixed and repainted.

>     My 97 (117k, 5sp) has given me starting trouble a couple of times in the
> last few months.  The conditions are generally random (hot engine, cold
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
>     Dave
David Geesaman - 04 Apr 2004 16:25 GMT
I think it was a rebuilt, from Nissan.

Dave

> Sounds like a bad starter to me. Where did your less than 2yr old
> starter come from? Was it really new then, or one of the so called
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> >
> >     Dave
Steve T - 03 Apr 2004 19:15 GMT
>     My 97 (117k, 5sp) has given me starting trouble a couple of times in
>     the
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> normal. I'll take a wild guess that the starter relay is going bad and is
> requiring too much power draw when it's misbehaving.

I have seen bad relays, more on the ZX's though. Test for power with a test
light at the starter or an easier test, smack the starter body with a
hammer when is misbehaves and see it it cranks, if so the starter is
going...

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Steve

http://www.atlantaracing.com

Mike - 08 Apr 2004 23:35 GMT
This is very typical for a Maxima.  My 96 did the same thing.

I took it off (not tough), cleaned it up (used some spray brake cleaner to
free up the bendix and then lubricated it) and re-installed it and it's
worked fine since.

Cost $0.

Mike

>     My 97 (117k, 5sp) has given me starting trouble a couple of times in the
> last few months.  The conditions are generally random (hot engine, cold
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
>     Dave
David Geesaman - 12 Apr 2004 12:41 GMT
Unfortunately I did that with my first starter.  It got noisy, so I tried
cleaning it out and lubing it.  The noises returned 6 mos. later, so I got a
new starter.  Now it doesn't want to start about 1 in 20 times I go to drive
it.

Dave

> This is very typical for a Maxima.  My 96 did the same thing.
>
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> >
> >     Dave
Steve T - 13 Apr 2004 00:37 GMT
> Unfortunately I did that with my first starter.  It got noisy, so I tried
> cleaning it out and lubing it.  The noises returned 6 mos. later, so I got
> a
> new starter.  Now it doesn't want to start about 1 in 20 times I go to
> drive it.

Where did you get the starter?

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Steve

http://www.atlantaracing.com

David Geesaman - 13 Apr 2004 12:27 GMT
Nissan - reman I believe.

Dave

> > Unfortunately I did that with my first starter.  It got noisy, so I tried
> > cleaning it out and lubing it.  The noises returned 6 mos. later, so I got
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Where did you get the starter?
Nirav J. Modi - 14 Apr 2004 16:24 GMT
> > Unfortunately I did that with my first starter.  It got noisy, so I tried
> > cleaning it out and lubing it.  The noises returned 6 mos. later, so I got
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Where did you get the starter?

Speaking of starter issues.... my 96 GLE starter showed signs of
failure last summer - (loopy starting, dead spots etc.), so I ordered
a Nissan reman. (based on the past advice on this group)... well 6
months later, its the middle of winter, and the starter was making
squealing sounds while dis-engaging... I call  Courtesy Nissan Parts
(the original source) - they say, no probs. go to your local dealer
and they'll give you another.  Well I call my all local dealers and
they say they can't "replace it under warranty" because the part has
not yet "failed"... they say call Nissan... so I call Nissan and they
said, "Yep - the part has to fail"... well I consider squeaking as
failed but they don't... so I don't know whether these Nissan remans
are as good as they are made out to be...

Nirav
96 Max GLE, 104k
Warner Crump - 14 Apr 2004 17:12 GMT
Reman means the fixed the immediate problem and ran it through some kind of
short test.  There could be a greater problem that caused the 1st immediate
problem.  Its a toss up when you buy reman parts.  I say take it back and
shove it down the dealers throat.  I would almost bet there is an unspoken
rule or encentive to discourage people from using warranty services.
Atleast that has been my experience at most dealerships.  Just work your way
up the chain of command if you dont get the answer/service you are looking
for.  Basically walk in there and say "I have this part that is making a
noise that it didnt make when I first bought it.  Therefore the part is
defective in some manner.  Either fix it or replace it."  Call up some local
shops and find out what could be causing your problem w/the starter.  Go in
there well informed and then tear them a new one with your facts.  I have
done it and it works, not to mention quite fun to see the look on their
face.

> > > Unfortunately I did that with my first starter.  It got noisy, so I tried
> > > cleaning it out and lubing it.  The noises returned 6 mos. later, so I got
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> Nirav
> 96 Max GLE, 104k
Robert - 03 May 2004 18:07 GMT
I have a pathfinder that I had the starter changed out with a Reman Nissan
starter - after 1 yr or so the armature started going bad -

Nissan said it had a 1 yr warrenty - but SORRY its not under warrenty  -
would you like to buy another started for another $250.00.

I am now researching the change out on '94 4x4 pathfinder -- and buying the
Starter at Auto Zone with Lifetime warrenty.

> > > Unfortunately I did that with my first starter.  It got noisy, so I tried
> > > cleaning it out and lubing it.  The noises returned 6 mos. later, so I got
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> Nirav
> 96 Max GLE, 104k
 
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