Well, it won't start at all, now.... :( - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Prince · 02-27-2004, 06:11 AM

I posted about the Maxima having occasional starting problems... Well, getting the money needed for the repair together I wanted to stretch the waiting out a bit but it seems I am shit outta luck as it won't start at all now. What a newbie situation.

You wait, you lose, I guess that's what they say.

Anyway, now I've to get it fixed, but in the meantime I was wondering if there was a way for me to work out what is causing this, or at least to eliminate something. I've mostly owned European-made cars that were built in the 80's, so this '96 Maxima is not familiar to me at all. I could not even find the starter & solenoid, but when you start the car (or try to anyway) it makes a sound similar to that of a buzzer for the duration of turning the key. The sound is coming from, I THINK, the electrical parts very close to the top center part of the engine room [see url to image below]. English isn't my native language so I don't know what the name of the parts of the engine are in English... Would make life easier if I did.

Anyway, if anyone has any ideas, or if that buzzing sound means anything to them, any bit of info could help. Or a lucky guess. Anything, really... I've had cars with starter problems before, but that sound I am unfamiliar with.

In short, I just want to try and see if I can start the thing enough to drive it to a shop to get fixed.

http://www.jella.net/bin/moottori2.jpg

reconmike · 02-27-2004, 07:44 AM

What you have circled in the photo is a canister purge volume control valve. It is for evaporative gasoline vapor control.
It will not have anything to do with your car not starting.
But being that it is buzzing, is your battery fully charged?
Have you tried to jump start the car?
If it still doesnt start with the jump you can tap the starter with a pipe of some length while you have someone else turn the key.

To find the starter lean over the drivers side fender facing the passenger side look down to the left side of engine you should see it.

If you want to post another photo if your not sure i will help you find it.

Prince · 02-27-2004, 07:52 AM

The battery's fully charged as far as I can tell. But, I don't have a whatchamacallit to check for certain, all I base that assumption on is the fact that the headlights are bright and everything else works fine electricity-wise.

The reason I thought it might be the solenoid is because I used to have solenoid problems with two previous cars, and the symptoms were the same...the headlights will turn off during the attempted start...they always turn off of course just as you start, but in this case they turn off while the key is turned even tho the starter doesnt turn... Anyway, I am not savvy enough to draw conclusions... I've wanted to tap the starter a bit, and will now try and find it, thanks to your instructions.

Prince · 02-27-2004, 08:06 AM

Sorry for the 2x-post...

I found the starter, thanks! But it didnt help, at first anyway...but as i was starting, i touched the gear shift stick or whatever yall americans call it, it was in Park, BUT apparently it's very picky, and i touched the stick a little, moving it gently, and the car started... it wont let it start unless it is in park, of course, and it seems that the stick is a touchy one....guess i better have someone take a look at it, to make sure that is what it was. It starts now.

maddemon802 · 02-27-2004, 12:12 PM

There is an adjustment, usually near the shifter mechanism that tells the ecm that you are in park or neutral before it will let it start. A Chiltons or Haynes manual would help with this adjustment....my experience with those is that eventually they get so far out of adjustment that it won't start at all...
my 2 cents
MD

theblackmax455 · 03-01-2004, 12:05 PM

go here
and look over the forums for the answer to your questions:

or this might be your problem as well

02-27-2004, 06:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
Prince /nɑndəsˈkrɪpt/ Location: LV-426	Well, it won't start at all, now.... :( I posted about the Maxima having occasional starting problems... Well, getting the money needed for the repair together I wanted to stretch the waiting out a bit but it seems I am shit outta luck as it won't start at all now. What a newbie situation. You wait, you lose, I guess that's what they say. Anyway, now I've to get it fixed, but in the meantime I was wondering if there was a way for me to work out what is causing this, or at least to eliminate something. I've mostly owned European-made cars that were built in the 80's, so this '96 Maxima is not familiar to me at all. I could not even find the starter & solenoid, but when you start the car (or try to anyway) it makes a sound similar to that of a buzzer for the duration of turning the key. The sound is coming from, I THINK, the electrical parts very close to the top center part of the engine room [see url to image below]. English isn't my native language so I don't know what the name of the parts of the engine are in English... Would make life easier if I did. Anyway, if anyone has any ideas, or if that buzzing sound means anything to them, any bit of info could help. Or a lucky guess. Anything, really... I've had cars with starter problems before, but that sound I am unfamiliar with. In short, I just want to try and see if I can start the thing enough to drive it to a shop to get fixed. http://www.jella.net/bin/moottori2.jpg __________________ Who is John Galt? Last edited by Prince; 02-27-2004 at 06:59 AM..

02-27-2004, 07:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
reconmike Thank You Jesus Location: Twilight Zone	What you have circled in the photo is a canister purge volume control valve. It is for evaporative gasoline vapor control. It will not have anything to do with your car not starting. But being that it is buzzing, is your battery fully charged? Have you tried to jump start the car? If it still doesnt start with the jump you can tap the starter with a pipe of some length while you have someone else turn the key. To find the starter lean over the drivers side fender facing the passenger side look down to the left side of engine you should see it. If you want to post another photo if your not sure i will help you find it. __________________ Where is Darwin when ya need him?

02-27-2004, 07:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
Prince /nɑndəsˈkrɪpt/ Location: LV-426	The battery's fully charged as far as I can tell. But, I don't have a whatchamacallit to check for certain, all I base that assumption on is the fact that the headlights are bright and everything else works fine electricity-wise. The reason I thought it might be the solenoid is because I used to have solenoid problems with two previous cars, and the symptoms were the same...the headlights will turn off during the attempted start...they always turn off of course just as you start, but in this case they turn off while the key is turned even tho the starter doesnt turn... Anyway, I am not savvy enough to draw conclusions... I've wanted to tap the starter a bit, and will now try and find it, thanks to your instructions. __________________ Who is John Galt?

02-27-2004, 08:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
Prince /nɑndəsˈkrɪpt/ Location: LV-426	Sorry for the 2x-post... I found the starter, thanks! But it didnt help, at first anyway...but as i was starting, i touched the gear shift stick or whatever yall americans call it, it was in Park, BUT apparently it's very picky, and i touched the stick a little, moving it gently, and the car started... it wont let it start unless it is in park, of course, and it seems that the stick is a touchy one....guess i better have someone take a look at it, to make sure that is what it was. It starts now. __________________ Who is John Galt?

02-27-2004, 12:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
maddemon802 Addict Location: SouthEast	Adjustment There is an adjustment, usually near the shifter mechanism that tells the ecm that you are in park or neutral before it will let it start. A Chiltons or Haynes manual would help with this adjustment....my experience with those is that eventually they get so far out of adjustment that it won't start at all... my 2 cents MD __________________ don't worry, I'm not lookin at you

03-01-2004, 12:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
theblackmax455 Tilted Location: Columbus, Ohio	go here and look over the forums for the answer to your questions: or this might be your problem as well __________________ "Whaddaya want me to do? Whack a guy? Off a guy? Whack off a guy? Cuz I'm married." -Peter Griffin, Family Guy Last edited by theblackmax455; 03-01-2004 at 12:07 PM..