1992 Nissan Maxima Car won't start

Tiny
JTZERO
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
My car will not start or even turn over. No clicking sound or anything. It was running fine the last few times but there was a sound like gas escaping from the left side of the engine when I started the car. No smoke or smell to it either. Thought it could have been a hose but checked later and couldn't see any loose hoses. Next time I went to start the car it wouldn't start. The battery is fairly new and the alternator was fine at the time when I replaced the battery. I have not tested the fuses yet. I can't seem to figure out where the problem is. Perhaps the starter or something electrical but it doesn't explain the gassy sounds. Please help. Thank you.
Thursday, October 2nd, 2008 AT 10:36 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

Thank you for the donation,

The noise you described is rather strange, as if it was an electrical system fusing you would get a strong oder of burnt plastic. The first thing I would check is power to the starter solenoid and main battery power at the starter, you will need to check the starter solenoid supply with the engine on crank and check the small wire at the starter motor it should be powered up on cranking, there should be power at the main starter terminal all the time, check these and report back your findings.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Friday, October 3rd, 2008 AT 12:19 AM
Tiny
JTZERO
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The wires looked fine. A friend and I removed the starter and had it tested at a local auto parts store. It failed and I will be replacing it soon. I am hoping that nothing else was damaged. I'm still concerned about that noise. Would it have anything to do with the starter since it only made the noise when I started it up before? Thanks again.
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Saturday, October 4th, 2008 AT 4:01 PM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

Thinking more on the starter, I suppose that if the Bendix dose not engage and the starter is still spinning at a high RPM it may sound like your noise.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Saturday, October 4th, 2008 AT 8:03 PM
Tiny
JTZERO
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Replaced the starter and everything seems to be fine. No noises when starting the car. Thanks again.
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Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 AT 11:06 PM

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