Car never starts on first try in the cold :(

[wasssup]

Well, ever since its been insanely cold in NJ (about the last 2-3 weeks) our '93 maxima never starts on the first try first thing in the morning..before getting it worked on yesterday, when I tried starting the engine there would be a whine from the engine and after waiting a couple of seconds there would be a "thud" sound from the engine bay and only after that my car would start when i turn the key... When I went to R&S Strauss (a local auto repair place) they said it *could* be the serpintine belts or something...they changed 3 belts and charged me $100 (nissan dealer wanted $600).

Today, I tried starting it and the engine wouldn't turn over, waited a few seconds for the "thud" sound, then I was able to start my car. This problem ONLY happens first thing in the morning...subsequent times that I try starting it, it starts without a hitch, even after leaving it out for 4-5 hours in below freezing weather...

Anyone have an idea of what it could be? Maybe its as simple as putting some antifreeze in the gas tank? (i'm trying that today...) We're just trying to get this car to last till the end of this semester..

 

[iamwiz82]

please do not put anti-freeze in your gas tank. :Q

That whining could be your starter dying. Maybe the bendix spring is on it's way out and is letting your starter spin up but not engage the flywheel to actually turn it over.

Does it sound like an electric motor spining extremely fast?

 

[yllus]

Is your '93 Maxima using its original car battery?

 

[SWScorch]

antifreeze? no. Perhaps you mean dry gas? I'm no car expert, but my car doesn't like to start when it's cold, so I put dry gas in the gastank to absorb any moisture and keep the fuel lines and injectors from freezing (still happens though.) The whine-thud sounds like a starter to me though. (but I'd listen to the more knowledgeable mechanics first)

 

[yobarman]

my car never starts after sitting a few hours in the cold..(and it's pretty cold in upstate NY) but after the second or third shot it works. I got a 90 lumina... but i suppose a maxima shouldnt be doing that... i dunno

 

[Quixfire]

It sounds like your starter is freezing up, a new starter might fix the problem.

 

[Colt45]

Sounds like the starter to me too.

 

[isekii]

Don't hold the starter if the car doesn't start.
Also My mechanic told me that if you continuously try to crank it a multiple of times over and over, it aint good for the starter.

 

[Viper GTS]

If it's cold enough that your gas is freezing you have more serious problems than the car not starting on the first try.



Viper GTS

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: isekii
Don't hold the starter if the car doesn't start.
Also My mechanic told me that if you continuously try to crank it a multiple of times over and over, it aint good for the starter.

yeah.. you gotta let it cool down and take a break between cranks.. at LEAST like 10 seconds or so.

 

[wasssup]

ahhh thanks for the replies (sorry I couldn't get to replying quicker..)

I went down to R&S and told them about it, and just as you guys think, they think its the starter (though they didn't look at my car; I was waiting for the longest time then decided to go home and just head back early tomorrow morning).

So if its the starter, and if I don't get this fixed immediately, the worst that can happen is my car won't start one day and i'll have to get it towed to get the starter changed, right?

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
It sounds like your starter is freezing up, a new starter might fix the problem.

mines going out on me as well, ill be taking it to the starter shop next week

:/