Problem starting 2001 Maxima in the cold

[Pillman9mm]

Hey what's up guys? Haven't posted here in a while since I traded in my 1996 Maxima for a 2001. Mainly because it's been an awesome car to drive and I didn't want to talk it up. Well, here in Indiana where I am located there's been a change in the weather. A few days ago we dropped into the mid 20's-30's. Since this happened, all the sudden I am having starting problems. This has happened a couple times now, most recently tonight it took me a half hour to get it started. It doesn't crank at all, just clicks. Eventually all of the sudden it will just fire up. Basically, over the weekend I parked it in the garage for 2 days before starting it and fired right up. I parked outside for a couple hours later and it gave me a problem. Seems to only occur when it's parked outside in the cold for a period of time. I plan on running it to Autozone tomorrow and I've heard a variety of reasons for this. Battery to me seems most likely but I'm far from being a mechanic. Other Ideas have been alternator, starter, spark plugs/wires. You guys have any ideas? Thank you for any help given.

[D_roc]

could be the starter, happen to me, next time when u have problem starting hit the starter with a iron bar while cranking, if it starts there ya go replace the starter

[loystock]

Most likely a weak battery and/or poor battery connections. Disconnect the battery connectors and clean the connectors and battery poles with steel brush. Reconnect battery and if available, apply battery connector protectant on the connections.

A fully charged battery should read 12.5VDC or higher. If you have a Hydrometer, Specific Gravity (SG) of electrolyte should be 1.265 when battery is fully charged. At 50% charge, voltage is @ 12.2VDC with SG @ 1.19. If the battery voltage is <12VDC (or SG<1.12), the battery is discharged or weak and needs replacement.

A failing alternator may cause insufficient battery charge resulting in a weak battery. A good altetnator charging a good battery should have battery voltage of 13.8 VDC or higher (spec is 14.1-14.7VDC).

It's possible that you have a sticky starter/starter solenoid. If you are mechanically inclined, you can pull out the starter (assuming battery and alternator are good) and disassemble it. Use white lithium grease on the gear assembly and contact cleaner on the motor and stator.

Cold weather starting can be improved by changing to synthetic oil, 0W-30.

[Pillman9mm]

Ok update. This morning I took the car to Autozone and had them run their diagnostics on it. The dude said he got fine readings from the alternator and the starter but not good from the battery. So therefore, I opted to replace the battery with a Duralast Gold 100. I drove it home, sat for 30-45 min. or so and drove to work. At work it sat for about 6 hours in upper 20's/low 30's weather. When I went to start it, at first it once again would not. After about 5 minutes of trying, it started. Then after sitting for about 3 hours tonight in snowy weather, it took me 10 minutes to start. The lights aren't dim, the wipers, windows and heat work fine. Due to the issue I've not been running the radio. Now, one thing I do not know if comes into play. When I picked up the car originally, the Service Engine Soon light was on. The dealer ran it to a mechanic that stated this was due to an O2 sensor which was replaced. (I purchased the car in Feb. last year, so still winter) that light stayed off for about 3 months, then came back on and has been on ever since. Changing the battery today did not effect it, it's still on. Could this have anything to do with the current issue?

[loystock]

You may now have a new battery but the connectors could be dirty. Check security and cleanliness of the battery connectors. Yo may also have a 'sticky' starter.

As I have said earlier, it would help with your starting issues if y ou change to synthetic oil - 0W-30 or 0W-40. from Mobil 1 or the likes AMSOIL 0W-40 is highly recommended in cold weather climate but is more expensive. Oil thickness expands dramatically in cold weather which imposes a heavy load in the engine starting system.

As for the O2 sensor, it's possible that one or more of them are bad or the mechanic replaced the the wrong one. Get a free scan from AutoZone and have a printout of the fault code. For your car, there are 4 O2 sensors - 2 front and 2 rear, and all of them are located at/near the Pre-Cat and nothing downstream of the Main Cat.

Checkout this link and look for posting by "maxhopper" (O2 sensor installation diagram) and mine (O2 sensor description and location)

zerothread?id=120838