I have a Haynes manual for my Mazda Miata that says that if the engine won't
start when turning the ignition key, and the starter motor does not operate
at all but the solenoid clicks, then the problem could be with the solenoid
contacts. Is that the same typically for a Nissan Maxima, and if so, does
that mean you need to replace the solenoid?

Brian

Check your battery first. If the battery is bad, it is not sending enough
current to energize the starter motor, only the solenoid. So the solenoid
clicks like it's supposed to, but the motor is not turning to turn the
engine over.

Chris
90 & 94 GXE's

By continually trying to start a car with a weak battery, can you do damage
to the solenoid contacts or the starter motor itself? The person who owns
this car continually tried starting it before I got there to observe the
situation. Eventually after he did that, all that happens is a device on
top of the engine just clicks when you turn over the ignition key. We've
tried jump starting the car with a very good battery and thick jumper
cables. I think initially it did have a weak battery, and now he's got that
plus a damaged solenoid/starter motor. Any opinions?
"Chris H" <hasek1nospam (AT) airmail (DOT) net> wrote

I'm not sure about that. Maybe one of the other guys in this newgroup will
know the answer. I would think that you'd have to do this for quite awhile
before you damage the starter solenoid. If your battery is really dead, even
jump starting w/ a good battery and cables may not deliver enough cranking
amps to turn the starter over. Try temporarily swapping out a battery from
another car and see what happens.

Chris

"Brian White" <bmkwhite (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

But the headlights on the car still work. So does the power windows and
interior lights. Could the battery still be dead?
"Chris H" <hasek1nospam (AT) airmail (DOT) net> wrote

Give the starter a good whack with a piece of 2x4 or tire-iron, then
try to start the car. I'm serious (just in case you were wondering).

Cheers,
Nirav
96 Max GLE, 122k

It could be that the starter motor brushes are worn out, so that even when
the solenoid fires to complete the starter circuit, the brushes are not
contacting the commutator and the starter motor does not operate. Solution
pull the starter motor and check the brushes. If totally fubar replace the
starter motor.

-bob

On Mon, 05 Sep 2005 04:08:23 GMT, Brian White <bmkwhite (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote:
Over the years my 95 had both a dead starter and faulty ignition switch.

Evidence of the starter problem was that it cranked with a regular lope
instead of smoothly. Then one day it apparently stopped on the dead spot
and would not crank.

When the ignition switch was bad, it still sounded like a relay in the
dash would click once when key was turned, but no crank. I could usually
get it to start by jiggling the key while turning it. I finally got the
ignition switch replaced, which does NOT require a key change.