One electrical problem and one mech. problem..98 Max

[Maverick7687]

1st is the grinding noise. This has been posted on the org for a few weeks but not many responses. When I first start the car and start to take off there will be this nasty grinding noise, almost like a pulley rubbing up against something. The weird thing to me is that it will stop after about a minute of driving. Sometimes longer, sometimes sooner, and sometimes it is a little worse. I have no clue as to what it is but whenever I get out of the car and open the hood I cant hear it, but it is VERY noticeable inside the car. If anyone has a 240 and has heard the way the timing chain guide sounds, its almost like that x20 and you can hear it better inside the car. Also, it sounds like it is coming from somewhere on the passenger side.

2nd is the fog lights. I haven't got a chance to look but I need to check the actual lights and the relay but my fog light fuse blew out the other day..no reason, they just went off. I replaced the fuse and as soon as I turned the switch back on it popped again. I am hoping something is crossed at the light itself so I don't have to go into the whole wiring thing. If anyone has any ideas like if there is a wire that commonly comes loose or something, help me out.

I am trying to get this car in good order, I don't have much time to do it because I work 5 days a week and on my day off I am usually still doing something that pertains to work (family business). I really love this car, I have had it for about 3 weeks and already I wouldn't give it up...I have grown attached. Thanks for all the help, and I know I will need more.

Tim

[maxhopper]

#1 Your desciption sounds similar to a water pump failure. Keep an eye on your temps.

#2 Here is a wiring diagram of the fog light wiring.

This is a picture of the for light relay located in the enging compartment on the passenger side fender well - check this. The marked terminal should give a 12V reading when grounded.

[coolhand]

For your first problem, try first to pin down the noise under the hood one day. Use a long screwdriver or better a car tessascope to help pinpoint the noise. To test the belt theory, remove both belts and run the car cold, if you get the noise now search for the noise elsewhere. if not spin the free pulleys by hand for drag or stiffness. Hope this helps.

[Maverick7687]

#1 Your desciption sounds similar to a water pump failure. Keep an eye on your temps.

#2 Here is a wiring diagram of the fog light wiring.

This is a picture of the for light relay located in the enging compartment on the passenger side fender well - check this. The marked terminal should give a 12V reading when grounded.

Thanks to both of you..and that SUCKS!! I hope its not the water pump..but then again, I hope it is because then I would have found the problem and fix it. I just hope this water pump is as easy/easier to change as the 240...

I may get a chance to check the lights tomororw..or now..i will go see how much light I can create.

[coolhand]

The water pump is a delicate but straight forward job. The pump as you know is ran by the chain and I can find the remove/install details for you later. I know for sure it involves the removal of the timming chain tensioner and turning the cranking 20 degrees to slack the chain so you can remove the water pump. (yikes)

Coolhand

95 Maxima SE 5spd

[Maverick7687]

Found out something new! If I start the car and let it run for about 5 minutes there is no noise. So it wont make the noise after running for a minute but it always does it on first start.. Actually, it does it everytime it is started but will stop after a few minutes of running.

Fog lights: If the small 15 that is on the drivers fender keeps blowing does that mean that is is something with the wiring AFTER that fuse? Just thought about that on the way to work this morning. If it was before the fuse wouldnt it then blow something else?

Edit: Now that I look at the diagram, the 15 is right after the battery so EVERYTHING is after that fuse. Dammit..even if what I said above is true then it still wouldnt help. Maybe a wire on the light itself came lose? Anyone ever had that happen? Well, that couldnt be it because when I replaced the fuse they both flickered then the fuse blew again. Hmm. .Back to square one...


Modified by Maverick7687 at 1:25 PM 12/21/2005

[TBriggs]

My experience with a fuse blowing type of problem resulted in bare wiring touching a metal part. Trace the wiring from the fog lights to the relay then through the firewall. Wires sometimes chafe in the least likely place.

[audtatious]

For the fog lights, after doing a visual inspection, I personally would start at the bulbs and work back. Disconnect both bulbs, replace the fuse, and turn on the lights. If it blows, start working backward. You are using properly rated 55w bulbs, correct?

For the noise, pop the hood and have a friend crank the vehicle so you can determine where the noise is coming from. Sounds like you have at least a minute to find it. If it is the waterpump grinding, I would not wait to replace it as you may cause other issues.

[Maverick7687]

When I was checking it the other day I took the relay out, replaced fuse, turn on switch, nothing, Put the relay back in, unpluggged both lights, switch on, relay clicked fuse still good. Plug lights back in one at a time and they both come on, fuse still good.. WTH? So I was like, ok, maybe it will stay like that (yeah right) I drove all the way back to Knoxville, went to a friends house, then when I was leaving, it popped again. So now this is a random problem that I am going to have to go through hell to track down I have decided. Thanks for the help.

The noise is only noticable on the inside of the car. I cant even hear it when I am standing outside. Also, on the way back to TN last night I could even hear it doing it every now and then on the interstate. So it is getting worse. I will try to get in there when I start it today and see if I can hear outside where its coming from.

Thanks..

[maxhopper]

If you have an automatic, it could be the planetary gear making the noise. It's irritating and it will eventually fail, but mine's been doing it for well over 1 year now. I will be putting a new transmission in sometime later this year or next.

[Maverick7687]

Nope, I have a 5speed.. I had a friend with me today, he said heater core but I didnt think that would make a noise... I have never had one go bad though. I kinda kept the water pump in mind and the more I listened to it the more it sounded like it might be in some kind of liquid. If it is the water pump shouldnt it be able to be heard from outside?

[maxhopper]

A failing heater core will leak, I've never known them to make noise.

I would think you should be able to hear a bad water pump from the outside.

[TBriggs]

When I was checking it the other day I took the relay out, replaced fuse, turn on switch, nothing, Put the relay back in, unpluggged both lights, switch on, relay clicked fuse still good. Plug lights back in one at a time and they both come on, fuse still good.. WTH? So I was like, ok, maybe it will stay like that (yeah right) I drove all the way back to Knoxville, went to a friends house, then when I was leaving, it popped again. So now this is a random problem that I am going to have to go through hell to track down I have decided. Thanks for the help.

Thanks..

This still sounds like a bare wire problem but it's only occuring with vibration. Turn lights on and start from lights moving wiring harness side to side up/down to induce the problem.

[Maverick7687]

A failing heater core will leak, I've never known them to make noise.

I would think you should be able to hear a bad water pump from the outside.

Thats what I was thinking too. Well, its going to Nissan hopefully tomorrow (Dealer is owned by my uncle so thats the only place I don't feel like I'm getting screwed.. weird huh) for an alignment so I will get them to check it. Hopefully its something small.

Thank you all for your help, I am sure you will be helping me more.. I will be sure to let everyone know what the problem is if I can figure it out.

[Maverick7687]

Another interesting point about my strange noise. It dosent seem to do it when it warm outside. It has been around the 60-65 degree range and I havent heard it today. What gives?