so my starter died... a camping story

i went camping over the past weekend with a bunch of euro car buddies along the Mississippi, in Redwing MN. We went on an AWESOME drive, about 150 miles of twisty windy roads through rural Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Back story, i've been having a bit of an issue with the car starting, so i replaced the battery last wednesday. still jerky while starting, but started just the same.

well, on the drive, we pull over for a quick break and i turn the car off. we go to leave, and *click*. nothing. it refuses to start. Fortunately, we're on a hill, so i roll backwards, and pop the clutch out and get going again.

We finish the drive, I swing by the o'reilly in Redwing. As luck would have it, they have a remanufactured starter in stock for my car. I left the car running, got the part, drove back to the campsite. By this time, it's dark out, but i am bound and determined to finish this. So, with limited tools, a headlamp, and a buddy, in the dark at a campground 30 miles from nowhere, we bang out the starter in just over an hour. Keep in mind, the only work i've done on the car before the starter: bleed brakes, replace air filter, replace battery. i.e., i haven't dug in to this thing AT ALL.


I have to admit, I love how easy this car is to work on. Coming from my Audi into the maxima was IMO a big downgrade, but this car is honestly working hard at making me like it. Not going to lie, front wheel drive is taking quite a bit of getting used to after AWD. But, I think with some the suspension upgrades i have planned, it might make me happy indeed.

thanks for reading i guess, lol


back story for those of you who don't know me... i came from a well modded a4 into a bone stock nissan maxima.

 

It's always a great feeling of accomplishment when you hammer out that first big job on any car.

 

Awesome story! I like the idea of going to a platform that, maybe you aren't too thrilled with, and then realizing that maybe there is something special to it

So how has the new Starter been treating you? Was that the issue?

 

the old starter was ded.

 

It always makes you feel like a boss when you pull of any job with limited tools and stuff. Kudos!

 

fwiw, i still hate the car and am in the process of figuring out a legacy gt.