Grinding noise at startup

Dec 06, 2004 2 Replies
F

My 2000 Max has recently started making a grinding bearing sound when I first start it in the morning. Unfortunately, the sound only lasts about two seconds so I haven't been able to get my head under the hood to see where the noise is coming from. The sound only occurs the first time I start my car in the morning and even then it is intermittent. Having someone else start the car while I listen is a problem because I leave for work early before my neighbors are awake. Has anyone ever experienced similar symptoms?



Thanks!



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D

Sometimes on th e4th gens the starter bendix (gear) doesn't disengage from the flywheel immediately. You get a grinding noise as the flywheel bumps off the starter gear. Tends to begin as a cold weather thing.

Replacing the starter will fix it, but if you're DIY then take out the starter and clean out/regrease the mechanism that slides the bendix over. That's worked for some people for 10s of thousands of miles. Worth the effort, if you're capable.

Dave

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R

I have a 1998 Maxima that does the same thing. It's been going on for over

70K miles. I believe the recall that Nissan issued concerning the alternator\starter should fix this, although I have yet to take mine in. Hope this is useful. ryan93LWB
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