My 1989 nissan maxima won't start. Have had the cylinoid, and starter checked, battery is ok too. It makes a sound like the car is already started but it isn't.

Two relays must close. One for security system and one for neutral safety. Check both circuits. Is there a security light flashing?


Do It Yourself Diagnosis and Repair

Is the sound coming through the speakers? It sounds like a fuse problem. The spark might have shorted something out

It sounds like your starter relay could be bad.

Could be several things that caused car won't start, inculding starter, ignition, dirty or loose battery connections.
Honda Diagnostic Tool

the clicking that you hear is coming from the starter relay. sounds like your ignition starter switch or ignition lock cylinder is bad.

well the first thing to do is check the voltage at battery, if battery is bad it will make a clicking sound when trying to start vehicle. the voltage at battery should be at least 12.6 volts all things off. with it running at battery should be at least 14.2-14.7 if alternator is ok! if all checks out to be ok, then its either a bad solinoid on starter or the starter itself. good-day ! any auto store will check the voltage for free. just tell them you want to check battery and alt, output.

You did not say whether you cleaned the battery terminals when you had a boost. If the terminals were corroded or dirty a jump would not help. Other possibility since you already changed the starter is the ignition switch. You can test that by putting the key in the ignition, turning it on to the start position , then taking a booster cable and clamping to to the positive terminal on the battery and hitting the hot bolt on your starter directly. If the engine turns over you will want to take it to a shop for a new switch as that is a bit of a ugly job. If you do this make sure there is no possibility the vehicle can run over you if it starts or that any part of your body is in the way of turning belts, fan ect. Put a mitt or glove over the booster cable you plan to take under the vehicle to make sure you do not touch any part of the vehicle except the starter nut. It works best if you are under the vehicle with the booster cable against the starter nut and can have a friend touch the positive terminal with the other end of the booster cable at your convenience. The starter will turn as soon as he touches the battery terminal which will point to the ignition switch or a wiring problem as the culprid. Good luck.

is it even clicking you probably have a bad starter ground or you have a bad solinoid

Did you have the new starter tested befor you installed it? Was their a lot of corosion on the battery cables? The cables might be corroded as well cousing too much resistance for the starter to crank.

You may need a new alternator because if they are messed up, they will drain batteries and make it hard to start or keep your car running. Also get the starter checked because that can make it hard to start the car too.