1996 Maxima no start

Hello there,

I have a 1996 maxima which has been giving problems starting lately. At first it was intermittent and after a few tries, it would start. when you turn the key, the lights come on but when you go to start it , it just clicks and nothing. At first if you did this a few times and waited a few minutes in between tries, it would eventually start. Now it doesn't seem to start unless I jump it and even then it still gives trouble.

A trip to advanced auto for a test indicated that the battery was good, the starter was good and there was excessive ripple in the alternator. When the car is able to be started, it runs fine until it's turned off. If the alternator was bad, wouldn't it die while running? That's been my previous experience with a bad alternator. Any advice or help you give would be greatly appreciated.

Full Disclosure- My wife had a co-worker use the car for a jump a few weeks ago and according to her, he put the cables on wrong. I assume that means reversed them. Since there were no immediate issues, I didn't make too much of a fuss. But it seems like now the issues are starting to appear and I'm sure it's no coincidence.

Thank you

Hello there,

I have a 1996 maxima which has been giving problems starting lately. At first it was intermittent and after a few tries, it would start. when you turn the key, the lights come on but when you go to start it , it just clicks and nothing. At first if you did this a few times and waited a few minutes in between tries, it would eventually start. Now it doesn't seem to start unless I jump it and even then it still gives trouble.

A trip to advanced auto for a test indicated that the battery was good, the starter was good and there was excessive ripple in the alternator. When the car is able to be started, it runs fine until it's turned off. If the alternator was bad, wouldn't it die while running? That's been my previous experience with a bad alternator. Any advice or help you give would be greatly appreciated.

Full Disclosure- My wife had a co-worker use the car for a jump a few weeks ago and according to her, he put the cables on wrong. I assume that means reversed them. Since there were no immediate issues, I didn't make too much of a fuss. But it seems like now the issues are starting to appear and I'm sure it's no coincidence.

Thank you

Get a 10$ multimeter, measure voltage at the battery. Has to be above 12,5V, while starting should not go below 11Volts. When running, charge voltage 14.2V-14.7V.

GND wire, connections rotten? Check the wire all the way down to chassis contact and engine...

If all is ok, then starter and/or its solenoid is toast. Replace...

Jus do not jumpstart engine idling, donor alt regulator stays healthy. If you have to give, disconnect donor vehicle batt cables and thus limit possible damage - into battery.

well, after thinking it had to be starter related, i went to check it out and found a nut loose. now it's starting. hopefully that's all it was.