bumperquip
Active member
I'm obsessing over recent starter losses in my 1999 Nissan Maxima and their frequency (three starter replacements in three months) and I'm now second guessing whether my recurrent issue is actually the starters at all. I mean three brand new (aftermarket) and/or newly remanufactured (aftermarket) faulty starters in as many months?! Statistically this just seems so improbable. So, I'm looking to issues outside of the starter itself and if you guys have any insight, feel free to chime in.
My most recent failure revealed itself with (and these are all images in my own head based on what I think I know about a starter's mechanical operation) a freely spinning unengaged starter. I turned the key and immediately it was obvious that the pinion gear was not properly thrown out, it did not engage the flywheel/drive plate and it was just spinning.
In this case also, upon turning the ignition off and even removing the key from the ignition, the starter continued to spin. The only means of shutting things down was to disconnect the battery.
My first thought was “starter” which has since been transplanted and the car starts fine … for now.
But, in thinking more, I thought … “ignition switch”. But this had been replaced last summer with a new OEM Nissan switch.
Then I thought, ignition “lock cylinder”. Why else would voltage continue to be delivered to the starter even after the ignition key was turned off if something in the ignition system wasn’t malfunctioning?
... and BTW, upon leaving the car sit in the garage for the day with the battery disconnected and returning after work hours to replace the apparent faulty unit, that apparent faulty unit started the car as if nothing ever happened.
Other thoughts?
More expertise?
Similar experience?
My most recent failure revealed itself with (and these are all images in my own head based on what I think I know about a starter's mechanical operation) a freely spinning unengaged starter. I turned the key and immediately it was obvious that the pinion gear was not properly thrown out, it did not engage the flywheel/drive plate and it was just spinning.
In this case also, upon turning the ignition off and even removing the key from the ignition, the starter continued to spin. The only means of shutting things down was to disconnect the battery.
My first thought was “starter” which has since been transplanted and the car starts fine … for now.
But, in thinking more, I thought … “ignition switch”. But this had been replaced last summer with a new OEM Nissan switch.
Then I thought, ignition “lock cylinder”. Why else would voltage continue to be delivered to the starter even after the ignition key was turned off if something in the ignition system wasn’t malfunctioning?
... and BTW, upon leaving the car sit in the garage for the day with the battery disconnected and returning after work hours to replace the apparent faulty unit, that apparent faulty unit started the car as if nothing ever happened.
Other thoughts?
More expertise?
Similar experience?