michael90630

I have a '97 Maxima GXE - 5 Speed Manual
I have over 162,000 miles on stock starter and alternator.

I have been experiencing some grinding noise only in the morning i.e. during cold-start. One mechanic said it could be the starter.

How difficult is replacing the starter?

I have checked prices at Nissan Dealer and they are asking for $240.00 for re-manufactured starter with only 1 year warranty (must return current core else extra $60.00). Kragen or AutoZone has re-manufactured AutoLite starter for my car at $125 after I return my current core. Lifetime warranty.

Are the starters from AutoLite or Ramen good?

I am thinking of doing the replacement myself but prefer to have reasonably good starter. Nissan's price is too high.

Thanks....

 

mcf1000x2003

I know everone is gonna say go to the dealer but ive never had problems with starters from Autozone.Its a different story when talking about alternators tho.Try NAPA and see how much theirs is they are noticed to have more quality parts.

DRUNKHORSE

here are a couple of pages on how to do it. Page 1 and page 2.
This should take you about 30 mins to do the job. 15 if your skilled.

If I were you, I would go to car-parts.com do a search there and find one from a junk yard. Sometimes you'll get lucky and find one with around 50k miles for around 50 bucks. Unless you wanna go and buy a new one, or you can buy it from me, , I have an extra laying there.

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michael90630

Thanks for the great suggestions and procedures. The second link (Page 2)sort of encourages me to dis-assemble the starter and grease it and see what happens.

Otherwise I will have to purchase a re-manufactured one or take you up on your offer. What is the condition of the one you have and what is the price? Are you in the Southern California region?

Appreciate the help ...

brianw

Pick up a remanufacturered one with a lifetime warranty from Napa (IIRC a Napa Gold unit), those seem to last longer than the cheaper remanufacturered ones.

With an aftermarket intake installed, a starter replacement on a VQ takes me about 15 minutes, and that's only if I lose a tool in the engine bay. A stock intake takes longer, also if you have a front strut tower bar it takes longer. If you're in Los Angeles County or Orange County there are tons of guys here who can do the work.

 

nadir

definately get a starter with lifetime warranty. .. replacing the starters on our cars are exxtremely easy- most work done is removing the intake.

michael90630

The replacement seems to be easy enough. I will do it myself. NAPA parts seem to have a better reputation so I will purchase one from them.

Thanks for the input.

vvslavavv

didn't see the date on this thread