16th Dec 2009, 00:28

I have a '97 GLE. I bought it 3 years ago at 200K KM.

What I fixed were starter, alternater, and CV joints, brakes and motor blower. Pretty standard for high mileage car.

Engine has always been good. It's always started even at -38 recently. Only time it didn't was when the starter crapped out.

I've had it up to 192kms. It pulls to left, which is costing me in tire replacement. Everything else still works fine.

Oh I replaced my speakers with crappy Sony's. The Bose sounded a lot better.

I had that starter problem when I first got it, I think it is a sign that it is about to die. I had to replace mine about 4 months after I got it. It would be intermittent when it came to starting right away. Well if you do hear a click click click when you try to turn it over, then you need a new starter. Better to replace before you end up having to pay for a tow later. Unless you have AMA or whatever.

16th Dec 2009, 00:31

Oh mine was made manufactured in Japan for North America, I don't know how that happened. But anyways, all the electrical stuff inside still works. My clock has always been accurate :)

17th May 2010, 20:02

OK, I have the problem that several people have alluded to in this forum. I have good electrical connections, MAF has been cleaned, starter replaced, but for some reason on hot days whether the car was recently driven or not, when the ignition is turned, the starter will not turn. I have to reengage the key several times and after some patience, it eventually turns. If the starter engages, the car starts up like a dream. If it is cold outside or cool, the starter engages right away.

So from this forum, I'm seeing some trends:

1. There's the key to the on position trick and then push out and in (I will try this, but I'd like a real fix)

2. Someone suggested a bad ignition coil.

Am I missing something here? Is there another possible solution. What needs to be replaced. Seems so strange that everything is in working condition, except for the fact that the outside temperature plays such a large factor in the starter engaging or not.

Your help is appreciated. Thanks.

29th Oct 2010, 17:47

I have a 1997 GXE Maxima, and live in Sacramento, and I have also experienced the starter problem mentioned in the forum. I changed the starter 3 times, twice from Kragen, and the present one is from the dealership. Replacing the starter did not solve the problem, so I had my mechanic replace the battery cables and terminals, as they had corrosion built up. After those were replaced, I have not had any problems starting. So if you guys are still having this headache, please try replacing the cables.

26th Mar 2011, 22:03

I have been reading this post all the way through. I have a 1997 Maxima GXE, bought it with 90k and it now has 130k. I had the same starting problem a while back. I have a local mechanic, he replaced a few starters, then told me it was the ignition module; he didn't charge me much to replace it, and it's been two years since I have had any problems with it starting. Hope this helps everyone.

Like everyone else, I agree that this car is one of the most reliable cars I have ever owned. Make no mistake, I have put a lot of money in repairs, I suspect it was beat on prior to me purchasing it, nothing too major though, largest cost was the exhaust.

Bottom line, take care of this car and it will take care of you; an excellent automobile.

27th Apr 2011, 20:47

I have a question for you. I changed all the sensors, but the check engine light is still on, and when I put the read sensor on, it says that all my sensors are bad, or there is some bad electrical error. What should I do to the car, or where to take it? Ran out of ideas???

Please help, email address mrrodriguez88@gmail.com

22nd Jul 2011, 19:53

I own a 1996 Nissan Maxima, and love it. I am also having the same starting symptoms like most of the above owners. I have changed the starter, the battery terminal, and now that summer is here in socal, it is doing the "sometimes start" thing on me. It will crank most of the time and operate fine, but just today I had to try many times before leaving it for a few minutes, then it would start as if there is no problem. Of all the diagnosis I have read on this problem, I am gravitating towards the ignition switch and the security thing. I will be taking it to a dealership on Monday to see if they have a solution to the problem, otherwise I guess I will continue to search, until I find out why so many people are having this exact problem, without a concrete solution.

14th Sep 2011, 10:07

The squeals is the belt. Might wanna change it if needed, or it could be too tight. Adding belt dressing does not help at all FYI.

29th Jul 2012, 19:56

I have a 98 Nissan Maxima, and when I first got it, I had to replace the knock sensor because it was burned.

Ever since I had that fixed, I haven't had a problem, until my starter died, and I had it replaced 2 times with rebuilt starters, and they didn't work. Then I replaced the starter with a brand new one with warranty, and a little over a month later, it is burned out again and I need another one. Any ideas on why this keeps happening?