My mounting troubles with my 1996 Maxima

[MaxPierre]

I have a 1996 Maxima GLE, which has been a solid car until lately. The current problems, in my opinion, started in November 2000 when I went to an auto parts store to have my battery replaced. I bought the battery, and I had an employee install it.

The problem was the employee installed it BACKWARDS, and blew the car's main fuse. The employee introduced a short circuit in the "fuse box" under the hood so that I could drive home and come back the next day to have it fixed.

Well, shortly thereafter, I lost the first starter on the car. I don't know if the two were related, but even though I don't know much about cars I have to assume they are related somehow.

The starter would "grind" after the engine fired as the starter disengaged the engine. The grinding was so hard from time to time that it would stall and flood the engine, stranding me where I was until I managed to fire the car up again 10-20 minutes later.

So the starter was replaced, and the problems were gone for a while. Then, two winters ago (2002) the problems return with the starter that grinds after startup while it disengaged the engine.

Not being a car tech, I simply assumed that the first started damaged the engine somehow. When the first starter was replaced, the damage it cause the engine wasn't detected, and that original damage has since redamaged the second starter.

But I tolerated the problem mostly because it seemed to only occur during cold Indiana winter morning startups. But then the problems began to spill into warmer weather earlier this year, with a twist.

Now, the engine "squeals" when idling. I assumed this was a belt of some sort. I took it to a local dealer, and they diagnosed the problem as a dying alternator. I described the starter problem as well. Their solution was to dig around under the hood until they found the problem, which would cost me big bucks.

So, I drove on. Now I have a new problem. The check engine light comes on after rough starts. I had a friend read the code (for free), and the code read "camshaft position error sensor a - bank 1 circuit malfunction."

Do all of these problems sound related, or are they separate? If related, I could justify taking the car in to have repaired for something like $1,500. This would take care of all of the problems I have with the car in one fell swoop, and I'm convinced it would run for another 100,000 miles trouble-free.

If the problems don't seem related, then it might be time to swallow hard and go buy a new car for much more than $1,500 because all of the problems point to a car that's starting to give up on me.

What is your opinion?

[habenero2002]

well the main fuse blew so the car was protected. if this is a high mileage car i say it is giving up on you

[MaxPierre]

Originally Posted by habenero2002

well the main fuse blew so the car was protected. if this is a high mileage car i say it is giving up on you

But I had to introduce a short circuit to drive home, so the car was unprotected for about 10 miles.

I do believe the car is giving up on me, and I have been shopping for a new one. I hate shopping for used cars! Dealers act like my best friends, and I know they just want to weasel more money out of me.

But, alas, I am a businessman myself, so I can play hardball too. I'm working on several deals that will satisfy all parties involved.

Wish me luck!