About 4 years ago i bought a used pathfinder. Everything has been great except the constant starter problems. After 6 months the OEM starter died (no clicking sound, nothing). I paid to have it replaced with a Bosch unit at a Canadian Tire shop.
I had 5 year parts warranty. 3 month into it, Bosch starter started doing the terrible grinding noise on every other start (it was spinning but not engaging the flywheel to crank the engine). So after a huge argument with the shop, I had them replace it free of charge except they had to put in a Champion branded starter as the Bosch units were no longer available. But they told me I get to keep my remaining warranty.
Its was running great for 6 months or so until it started doing exactly the same thing. So this time I got another Champion starter under warranty and intalled the starter with a buddy of mine at his garage (what a b*tch that was I tell ya). Ran great until a week ago. When all of a sudden it started not engaging again. I was stuck half way across the city with the engine not cracking over. Had to tow the truck.
I've called a few shops around asking for reason why the pathfinder starters might be failing so quickly and possible reasons to avoid such abrupt failure. These are the responses I got (my comments are in parenthesis):
- That I didn't install it professionally last time (how many ways can you install a starter?)
- Crappy battery, faulty wiring, electrical problems (I had it tested, it is all fine)
- Shitty non-OEM starters... (how crappy do they make them? can't even last a couple of years??)
- Oil leaks from the filter right above the starter. Suggested to put an oil-filter relocation kit.
- A suggestions to buy OEM starter ($600+)
I looked into purchasing the OEM part, but I don't think that $700+ is worth it. I mean that's like 1/5th the cost of the truck or so. I don't believe I will be investing this much money into it.
So I still have just 1 year left on the warranty and should be able to get the part for free. But I'm sure its not going to be without a fight with the store. I don't wanna have to replace the starter again a year later when it dies and it's past the warranty period.
Has anyone experienced this problem? Any workarounds? Any thoughts on the topic? Tips?