03 m45 starter help?

[kamezzle13]

I cant seem to figure out how to remove my starter on my 03 m45. I looked at a diagram, read the instructions, and it seemed like it would be fairly easy, maybe just a little bit of difficulty because of the tight squeeze. I can remove the lower bolt, but i just cant seem to get to the top bolt, even after removing the motor mount and jacking up the engine a couple of inches.

Is there any instructions or tips anyone can give me? I'm leaving town this weekend, and the car will start intermittently. It been doing this for a while, where sometime I crank and get nothing but clicks, try a few more times and it will fire up. I've replaced the battery recently, and I almost thought the problem was getting better, but it really didn't. Just recently, it's gotten to the point where it it doesn't want to start at all unless i spend some time trying to crank it up.

Any help is greatly appreciated, especially since I'm working on a time crunch.

P.S. I have access to alldata, but it doesn't show a good diagram. I checked out the autozone website and they have the same instructions plus the diagram, but it doesn't show how to clearly get to that other bolt! I have access to a lift at my brothers shop, I'm hoping that will make it a little easier too.

[Double E]

Sorry bro...That's the first starter issue I've heard of.

I have had luck offering the local dealer's mechanic a few dollars for advice like that. Often they'll have someone come out, tell me their opinion means nothing If I screw it up and I give them $10-20 depending on the info. Never been wrong yet. The service writers will call someone over who's coming back from lunch or on break and ask them to "speak with me".

[mcrews]

I had my 02Q45 towed and paid him an extra hour than book. It was tough to get.
wish I could be of more help.

[kamezzle13]

Thanks for the replies, even though the outcome is seemingly bleak. My brother is actually a mechanic (non Infiniti though) and he thought it was going to be a quick repair. After trying for a few hrs, he couldn't figure it out. He has alldata access but the instrcutions are generic, not even a diagram. I searched these forums, and found where people have replaced it, but they didn't mention any struggles. Im going to take a look at it tomorrow, so I guess ill see.

[The00Dustin]

Have you looked at the FSM. This foum is peppered with links to the FSM, I think there is an 03-04 version, it might give good information on that.

[sebvox]

kamezzle-

Did you ever figure out the problem with the intermittent starting? I too am having this issue. Sometimes I get in the car and try to start it and it just clicks. Then after a few minutes it starts. I was starting to think the immobilizer was malfunctioning. I changed the battery in my key fob, no change. Starting relays are good. I notice that if I tried starting the car while the driver seat positioner was still moving it would not start. So now I wait until the seat is in position before starting. This morning I went to start my car and the battery is completely dead. Can't figure out what is draining it. Did changing the starter fix anything?

[ngtr800]

kamezzle-

Did you ever figure out the problem with the intermittent starting? I too am having this issue. Sometimes I get in the car and try to start it and it just clicks. Then after a few minutes it starts. I was starting to think the immobilizer was malfunctioning. I changed the battery in my key fob, no change. Starting relays are good. I notice that if I tried starting the car while the driver seat positioner was still moving it would not start. So now I wait until the seat is in position before starting. This morning I went to start my car and the battery is completely dead. Can't figure out what is draining it. Did changing the starter fix anything?

I had the same problem when i tried to start the car it just clicked. One day the car just wouldn't start. The solution was to replace the two battery terminals and clean the cables really good. The negative cable had a good amount of oxidation residue. i followed the negative cable and there were some grounds that had pretty bad oxidation. This was a simple fix when i thought it was the starter or the ignition switch.

[loystock]

From my experience, Nissan/Infiniti starters are very reliable. Even in the 97/99 I30s, I pulled out both starters when they became 'sticky' and just cleaned and re-lubricated them and both are working fine.

Starting problem are usually associated with weak battery (a good battery must have 12.6VDC or more; anything less than 12.6VDC may indicate a failing battery/alternator) corrosion in the cables or poor connections (very important to keep the battery connections clean and tight).

I haven't done starter replacement in the VK engine but here is what I've found from the 03 M45 FSM, starting on page SC-15:

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/M/2003/sc.pdf

The Starter motor is located on the underside of the vehicle, near the rack and pinion on the passenger side of the vehicle....
Disconnect negative battery cable.
Remove engine undercover.
Disconnect S connector.
Remove B terminal nut.
Remove starter motor mounting bolt and nut.
Remove engine mounting insulator bottom nuts, and lift up of engine approximately 30 mm (1.18 in) by using mission jack.
Remove starter motor from under the vehicle.
INSTALLATION
Install in the reverse order of removal.

B terminal nut:
Tightening Torque: 9.81 - 12.7 N.m (1.0 - 1.2 kg-m, 87 - 112 in-lb)

Starter motor mounting bolt and nut:
Tightening Torque: 41.2 - 52.0 N.m (4.2 - 5.3 kg-m, 31 - 38 ft-lb)

[sebvox]

I went and had the battery tested. It had a bad cell so free replacement. What I have discovered is that there was some slight corrosion not at the battery post but just beyond the terminal. The terminals are multi-part so it has a higher chance of developing corrosion. I cleaned all the parts with electronic contact cleaner and everything is good... for now.

[SarasotaM45]

Good to know. I am having the same issue with my starter. Seems like its good for months... and then out of the blue, it won't start for a few tries, then fires right up. Never left me stranded but seems like the past few days its been pretty finicky. Anyways, thanks for the leg work.

[alivann]

with the start up issue , good info thanks guys

[MaxBolus]

Just wanted to add my experience here- I've been having the intermittent "click/no start" issue for a while, but lately it has gotten much worse. I was hitting it 20-30 times before it would catch. I'm a big proponent of cleaning terminals and connections, and did find a large amount of corrosion on the battery terminals. Cleaned them up but no improvement.

So today I tried to pull the starter to replace it. Followed the FSM steps and reviewed comments on this thread and another, but I admit that this job defeated me. I could find no way to access the upper nut (Based on the FSM, I believe it is a nut and not a bolt, but can't say for sure 8-[ ). Could not get my fingers on it and no amount of poking around with extensions/uinversals got me anywhere near it, far as I could tell.

So we buttoned things up, also cleaned up the "B" terminal on the starter, which had a fair amount of corrosion. And so far got 5 or 6 successful starts with no clicking. I'm optimistic but not unrealistic- figure I'll try to find a mechanic willing to take it on. Dealer quoted around 800 clams, yikes.

UPDATE: The clicking issue returned after a day or so, and I was able to find a local mechanic willing to take it on. He ended up removing both engine mounts and the cross member under the engine. They raised the engine about 3" and were able to access the upper nut on the starter. Charged me $250 for labor, and I was happy with that.
As a bonus, they also were able to weld my broken driver's seat ($125). It's rock solid now, and I am happy

[Bobcat dan]

I have a 2003 M45 with the starter problem mentioned.
Most of the time just nothing. Sometimes clicking.
Tested the hot wire on the starter and found voltage there with key in the start position. This indicated a bad solenoid.
I had the same problem on my DEERE lawn mower and it is the same solenoid.
In order to repair this it is remotely possible to just replace the solenoid with the starter in place. The only two problems with this is the screws on the solenoid on mine were so tight even after removing the starter they were difficult to get out, and you can't get a Phillips screw drive straight in line with the screws.
Pull the starter is the best way to fix this and most of you guys may want to replace the entire starter anyway.
Okay here is the deal on removing the starter. On this post are the directions right out of the Infiniti manual. Here is the catch as most of you have read. REMOVE the nut!
This nut is on the top side of the starter and it is not visible and you can't get your hands or any portion of a finger near it.
So what do you do.
Here is the answer.
You need a 3/8"drive deep well socket (14mm) and a 3/8" drive 13 1/2 " extension. The only problem with this is, there isn't a 3/8" drive 13 1/2 " extension made and if you had one you can't get it into the location where you need it.
Here is what you do.
Insert the 3/8" drive deep well socket with a 6" extension into place between the engine block and the motor mount top side where all the exhaust baffling is. This is in line with the hidden nut you want to remove. NEXT clamp a vice grip on the female end of the extension to hold it in place. Then add a 3/8" drive 3" extension to the 6". Remove the vice grips and slide the now two piece extension in further and clamp the female end of that to hold it in place and add another 3/8" drive 3" extension to that. Proceed as above and add a 3/8" drive 1 1/2" extension to the last 3" extension. Now you have a 13 1/2" extension. Now use a mirror and place it in a position where you can see the nut and the stud along with your 3/8" deep well socket. With your right hand hold the end of you newly made 13 1/2" extension and place the socket onto the nut. Now attach your 3/8" drive ratchet handle and brake loose the nut. Now remove the ratchet and un screw the nut by turning the end of your 5 piece extension. The nut turns very easy. (my car has 155K miles and the area around the starter is as clean as it was when new)
Now the instructions say remove the motor mount nut and jack up the motor on that side. It will take a little more than the 1.18" as stated in the manual. Remove the starter.
Replace in the same way. All you need to do is lock the starter nut into the socket so you can replace it. I used two pieces of folded paper into the socket to hold it. It is easy to start because the stud has a protrusion on it that will locate the nut.
It took me a long time to figure out just what to do and go get the extension pieces I needed, but the job itself is easy and not long.

[lantana m45]

hi, i had a y34 with clicking problem, i changed everything except the car battery.... it was the car battery!! before you spend all kinds of $$ try the battery first please.also don't use the kn filter on y34, cause you to stall out and limp mode all the time. i have a y50 now idk which one i like the most, y34 looks way better y50 is way better inside. doesnt matter because im sure my wife will kill this one like the last 5 in 12years!!!

[sebvox]

So no one has stated if changing the starter actually fixed the problem. I have always just exchanged the battery and it has fixed the problem. Bobcat Dan? MaxBolus?

[szh]

So no one has stated if changing the starter actually fixed the problem. I have always just exchanged the battery and it has fixed the problem. Bobcat Dan? MaxBolus?

For me, on two occasions, it was a battery change that fixed the problem. The third time though, it was the starter ... had to be replaced. Since I don't really have the expertise to DIY, it was a trip to the dealer. Ouch!

Of course, I have also had to replace the battery after that - not a starting problem with the starter, but it was clear that the battery had died. This last time, I decided to get the best Interstate that I could ... and do hope to see it last longer than the stock Nissan/Infiniti batteries.

Z

[MaxBolus]

So no one has stated if changing the starter actually fixed the problem. I have always just exchanged the battery and it has fixed the problem. Bobcat Dan? MaxBolus?

The new starter solved the problem, it's been working flawlessly ever since.

In the past, I have changed a starter unnecessarily and found the real problem to be corroded connections, so I checked all that stuff first this time ;-)

[sebvox]

Thanks for the feedback. I bought a new Interstate MTP-24 but that didn't fix it. Tried a new starter relay... no luck. Looks like I'm going under to check for corrosion but probably changing the starter. I'll update my tribulations.

[sebvox]

After chasing all the positive and negative leads and cleaning them, it was narrowed down to the big task of changing the starter. The instructions in the FSM are lacking in detail so thanks to Bobcat Dan for the write up. I don't think I would have been able to do it without his insight on the extensions. I would say on lifting the engine, that you need to raise it approximately 1.5"-2.0" to get it out. I would also add that when you have the extensions in place and have removed the top nut, leave the extensions there so you don't have to do it all over again to reinstall the new starter. This job sucked but now that the new starter is in, it was worth it. It fixed the problem 100%.

The Nissan part number is 23300-AR200 which has been superseded by 23300-AR20A. It is a Mitsubishi starter with part number M002T85171 also on the label. If you get a remanufactured unit, check to make sure the rear cover was installed with the drain nozzle on the same orientation as the solenoid. The solenoid is on the bottom, moisture should drain to the bottom side. I went with the remanufactured unit because it carries a lifetime warranty. The dealer price is $407 compared to the $143 parts store price.

[pokeemonn]

I don't want to beat a dead horse but can anyone give me some insight. I have an 04 m45 with a bad starter, i tried all of the above before attempting to change it. I have read these posts and am doing everything you all have mentioned and this thing is no where near coming out. Motor is jacked up so damn high we broke the upper radiator. Is there a special way to out the extensions in or through a certain spot or what? My next step is to unbolt the motor mount from the engine block but there is no room for that either. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[szh]

I don't want to beat a dead horse but can anyone give me some insight. I have an 04 m45 with a bad starter, i tried all of the above before attempting to change it. I have read these posts and am doing everything you all have mentioned and this thing is no where near coming out. Motor is jacked up so damn high we broke the upper radiator. Is there a special way to out the extensions in or through a certain spot or what? My next step is to unbolt the motor mount from the engine block but there is no room for that either. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Yikes. Bumping the post ...

I hope someone can help with info ... my experience does not extend to this level of effort unfortunately.

Z

[szh]

For me, on two occasions, it was a battery change that fixed the problem. The third time though, it was the starter ... had to be replaced. Since I don't really have the expertise to DIY, it was a trip to the dealer. Ouch!

Of course, I have also had to replace the battery after that - not a starting problem with the starter, but it was clear that the battery had died. This last time, I decided to get the best Interstate that I could ... and do hope to see it last longer than the stock Nissan/Infiniti batteries.

Z

Dang! The Interstate Megatron Plus MTP-24 lasted for a shorter duration than the Nissan / Infiniti OEM battery! A few days ago, the car did its usual "click but no start" but I was heading out on a business trip so couldn't deal with it.

Needless to say, my purchase date of 11/12 and use through 08/15 means that the battery was out of replacement warranty ... for the "30 months free replacement" warranty. Yeah, it then has a 45% discount from MSRP for the next few years.

On testing (not a CCA test, of course), they claimed it was completely discharged and could not give me the discount ... essentially saying that there was something wrong with the car. Recharging the battery would take overnight, and I needed to get my car going to get to work. So, I went ahead and bought a new one and returned the old core.

Then I took my car to the Infiniti dealer to check the charging system out - they did a complete system check for free (pays to be on good terms with the dealer!), including a loaner!
I am going to go outside now (am at work) and I bet the car starts just fine!

Regardless, in summary, the highly rated Interstate Megatron Plus MTP-24 battery apparently died in about 32 months ... at this point, I have no time or the patience to deal with the Interstate folks, so I will write the discount off.

Next time, I will look for some other battery as a replacement ...

[shannonjarrett2001]

I have an 03 M45 and Im having the same clicking problem with the car not starting. I changed my starter back in Feb 2014 and its now Sept 2015 and its clicking again. I cant believe the starter would die out so soon. Is there something else I should be checking that could cause my starter to go bad so soon? Before it stopped working completely sometimes when I would turn the key to start the car it would make a scraping noise two or three times then it would crenk and start. Any help would be appreciated.

[MelloM45]

I cant seem to figure out how to remove my starter on my 03 m45. I looked at a diagram, read the instructions, and it seemed like it would be fairly easy, maybe just a little bit of difficulty because of the tight squeeze. I can remove the lower bolt, but i just cant seem to get to the top bolt, even after removing the motor mount and jacking up the engine a couple of inches.

Is there any instructions or tips anyone can give me? I'm leaving town this weekend, and the car will start intermittently. It been doing this for a while, where sometime I crank and get nothing but clicks, try a few more times and it will fire up. I've replaced the battery recently, and I almost thought the problem was getting better, but it really didn't. Just recently, it's gotten to the point where it it doesn't want to start at all unless i spend some time trying to crank it up.

Any help is greatly appreciated, especially since I'm working on a time crunch.

P.S. I have access to alldata, but it doesn't show a good diagram. I checked out the autozone website and they have the same instructions plus the diagram, but it doesn't show how to clearly get to that other bolt! I have access to a lift at my brothers shop, I'm hoping that will make it a little easier too.

To get that top bolt what I did was I used a 14mm socket with a 2 inch extention with a 3 inch extention with a knuckle. You feed the extentions with the socket knuckle first from the transmission side. Use your free hand to guide the knuckle behind the starter. Once it's in there you can slightly turn the socket to slide onto the bolt. Use your free hand to push from the knuckle end forwards. It should slide onto the nut. Then connect a 8 inch extention into the knuckle and use ratchet to undo. The hardest part is putting the nut back on the bolt. I did this without removing the motor mount to change the solenoid. Turns out the motor is bad and now I have to remove the motor mount. I can get some pictures later today as I will be pulling this bad boy out yet again...

Can you describe how you got the motor mount off?