1995 Nissan Pathfinder 95 Nissan Pathfinder- Stater issues

MAGERS

MEMBER
1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
154,000 MILES

My '95 Nissan Pathfinder (automatic, 154k miles)keeps eating starters. In February I tried to start it and all I got was a single click. My husband replaced the starter and it worked great until October. We replaced the starter again and it lasted 5 days. Aside from starting a but rough from time to time, I haven't had any sign of impending doom. It has new plugs/wires, new battery, and the alternator is fine.

Any ideas as to why the starters are dying?

Ps- I had each starter tested before replacing and they are all 100% dead.

1 Reply

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello

Well, eating starters. Well, first I suggest going to Auto Zone or O'Reilly's and for free they can bring their tester out and check your battery, alternator and starter.

Okay, let's bounce some ideas which help my first suggestion.

Starter failure usually may arise from the following: Weak or worn out battery, loose battery terminal(s) connection, dirty battery terminal(s) or post(s), malfunctioning solenoid, loose cable connection of solenoid, and; malfunctioning starter.

With that let's cancel out the malfunctioning starter/solenoid since you are changing those like socks. However, make sure the area that the starter bolts up to is good and clean so it has a good ground. Also, I am not sure where you are getting them but you need at least a 90 amp starter.

The battery. I went through 3 batteries, new - one time. Bad stock. Even though your battery is new, check it out as above. Make sure it is the correct or higher CCA... Cold Cranking Amps. If it is not putting out enough for the starter to really function efficiently then the starter will get hot and go bad. So make sure that battery is in tip top shape.

Next, the battery cables, positive and negative. If they are defective in any way they are not able to pass the correct current on as needed and then we get back to that starter working efficiently thing and getting hot. This includes where it connects to the starter. I have had cables defective part way down inside the insulation.....

Heat - from what I can see your model has several exhaust heat shields around the exhaust pipes right after your exhaust manifold. The exhaust manifold also has a heat shield on it. Make sure the manifold/exhaust heat shields are there and in good working order near that starter. This is extremely important.

My suggestion:

1. Inspect for the heat shields as above.
2. Replace the battery cables with good, heavy duty OEM ones.
3. Ensure the area the starter connects to be clean.
4. Have AZ or O'Reilly's do a good draw test on the battery and alternator. (Remember is the alternator is not putting out as it should, the battery may be new but not being properly charged enough to give good power to the starter, besides, it's free.)