Hey guys I'm kinda new on the forum. I have been on and off just reading info and other threads. And I know there's alot of knowledgeable ppl on here. So I would like to see if maybe someone on here can help me out with an issue I have on my 2003 nissan 350z.

Well to start off its an automatic. So my problem I been having is that when I try to start it up I hear the starter winding but not turning the motor over. Like if the starter isn't engaging with the flex plate. It's been happening for almost a year now. After a few trys it does hook and starts up. I installed a new starter a while back and the teeth on the starter on the old one was good. So I figured maybe the flex plate may have area that have been shaver down. A few local tranny shops I have called have said it's very unlikely that the flex plate goes bad. I have yet to actually have it checked out though due to being so busy wit work. Today I tride starting it and I noticed something. I went in and put the key in, I tried to start it and I hear the starter going but not turning the motor. I did it a few times, then I tried it again and I hear the fuel pump prime and then when I started it, it actually started. So now I'm thinking does that have something to do with it? Anyone have any input?

 

Turn the key to the "one" position and listen for thr fuel pump to prome. Then start the car.

If you DONT hear it prime and the car doesnt crank, then repeat the process.

 

But is that a normal thing? Like if the fuel pump doesn't prime the starter will spin when trying to start it but won't actually engage with the flex plate to turn the motor??

 

Okay is the car "cranking" and just not turning over? Or are you getting a whining type noise when turning the ignition.


Could have no compression if the later.

 

My guess (and this is only a guess) is that your bendix is shot. Either that or your wire connections are bad. Get under the engine and have a look. If the wires are ok, then pull the starter out and take it to a parts shop. They'll mount it to a tester and apply a current to it to see if the bendix engages and the starter spins.

 

The car does crank. Runs perfectly fine. Maybe my first post don't have enough info. Sorry. Well to explain maybe a bit better the car runs and drives perfect. Runs strong has power. The only issue is on some occasions when I go to start it. I put the key in turn it to on and full turn the key, the only sound I hear is the starter motor. Strong sounding starter motor. No problems what so ever with the starter cranking. So I turn the key back to off. Give it a try once again and this time I hear a grinding sound and like the motor actually turn over slightly but then stop and I just hear the starter. So back to off, and give it another try and then it starts right up. The order of these occurrences vary. Sometimes it happens and sometimes the car starts up perfect. So that's why I feel like it may be my flex plate (auto version of flywheel). Maybe the teeth are worn down on some areas. Not sure. Just curious to know if this is common in the Z. Or if it maybe even something simpler.