03 M45 Starter Issue?

[kankrah]

Hey guys,

So i just bought an 03 M45 ( 87K woot woot ) about a month ago and started noticing issues while starting the car. I got the battery replaced since the seller told me he had not replaced the battery since he owned the car ( 7 years) thinking it was a battery issue. The service advisor at infiniti claimed they checked the starter and it was fine so it had to be the battery. Shortly after replacing the battery, the issue returned. I took it back to infiniti and they "ran diagnostics" on the car for $130 to tell me there is an issue with the starter ( even though a week prior they claimed the starter was perfectly fine). They quoted me $980 to replace the starter which i declined and took the car home. I've had the car for about a week now and it starts perfectly fine. I just need to turn the key for the radio to cut on and after i hear the beep, i turn the ignition all the way to start the engine and it starts fine. I took it to a gas station for a tire fix the other day and the mechanic there said the car could have a "delayed starter" ( whatever that means).

Basically, i just want to know if anyone on here has experienced this issue and how they fixed it or have anyone heard of this "delayed starter" thing with the car. I've read a lot about folks replacing the starter on this car but before i go ahead and spend a lot of money on the starter, I just want to know if its just me not starting the vehicle properly by turning the ignition on right away or i have to click first for the radio wait for the beep before turning the key all the way to start the engine. Please advice!

Thanks you!

[Double E]

It most likely is a starter on the way out.
They diagnosed it incorrectly because they just cranked it and it started. If they tested anything at all, it may have been the voltage drop when it cranks, and it may have been within spec. It was also probably warmed up already and you crank it from cold each day and have the delay (the oil being warmed up and slung in all the right places, the engine will take a little less power to turn over warm than when cold).
After the battery was replaced and you came back describing the issue, the logical thing to do was tell you to swap the starter.

A grand to replace is insane. You can probably pull the starter, open it up, clean/lube it and put it back in and it will give 4 more years, for nearly free.

Be advised though that removal is understood to be tough and involves slightly lifting the engine to get it out. My first Y34 was just beginning to do this when it was totaled. My current Y34 is good so far...but I expect it to fail in the next year or two.

[kankrah]

Thanks a lot!

This is very useful information. Hopefully, cleaning and lubing the starter will do for now or even better the 4 years you mentioned with be awesome too. It will be great to not have to put money into a starter now as i need new tires badly.

[TALLM45]

I experienced similar starting problems like you.

Battery seems fine. No lights are dimming for any reasons.
I put the key fob in
Turn to start and click.
When I take away down pressure to the key fob and kind of put pressure on it going up (Vertically) The car starts up fine.

If you have too much weight on the key that might cause a problem i feel. The next step for me is to find out if the fey fob holder socket get worn out. Doubt it is my starter but you never know.

Hey guys,

So i just bought an 03 M45 ( 87K woot woot ) about a month ago and started noticing issues while starting the car. I got the battery replaced since the seller told me he had not replaced the battery since he owned the car ( 7 years) thinking it was a battery issue. The service advisor at infiniti claimed they checked the starter and it was fine so it had to be the battery. Shortly after replacing the battery, the issue returned. I took it back to infiniti and they "ran diagnostics" on the car for $130 to tell me there is an issue with the starter ( even though a week prior they claimed the starter was perfectly fine). They quoted me $980 to replace the starter which i declined and took the car home. I've had the car for about a week now and it starts perfectly fine. I just need to turn the key for the radio to cut on and after i hear the beep, i turn the ignition all the way to start the engine and it starts fine. I took it to a gas station for a tire fix the other day and the mechanic there said the car could have a "delayed starter" ( whatever that means).

Basically, i just want to know if anyone on here has experienced this issue and how they fixed it or have anyone heard of this "delayed starter" thing with the car. I've read a lot about folks replacing the starter on this car but before i go ahead and spend a lot of money on the starter, I just want to know if its just me not starting the vehicle properly by turning the ignition on right away or i have to click first for the radio wait for the beep before turning the key all the way to start the engine. Please advice!

Thanks you!

[kankrah]

TallM45,

It seems like thats a common issue with the M45. My buddy has one and had to replace his starter around the 100K mileage mark. Also, i read in the manual that having multiple keys bundled up with the key fob can cause starting issues as well. My mechanic advised to go ahead and replace the starter just to be on the safe side. He said sometimes the starter might be on its way out and those are the signs to know thats whats going on. He advised to replace it sooner than later when the starter actually dies and the car doesn't start.

Let me know how everything works out with your situation.

[TALLM45]

Thanks for this information! did not know the manual said that.

TallM45,

It seems like thats a common issue with the M45. My buddy has one and had to replace his starter around the 100K mileage mark. Also, i read in the manual that having multiple keys bundled up with the key fob can cause starting issues as well. My mechanic advised to go ahead and replace the starter just to be on the safe side. He said sometimes the starter might be on its way out and those are the signs to know thats whats going on. He advised to replace it sooner than later when the starter actually dies and the car doesn't start.

Let me know how everything works out with your situation.

[kankrah]

Interestingly enough, my car has been starting perfectly fine. My friend who has the same car and has replaced his starter claims the starter might go out when it gets cold so i'm gonna ride it out this summer and prepare to replace it during the winter since i still have the part.

Another interesting issue: my seats won't move forward and backwards. Every other position works though. It squeaks a little when i accelerate. Could it be lose? Electrical issue?.. Any ideas?