Question

I have a bad starter on my 1996 Nissan Maxima and need a temporary solution to get it to start tomorrow.

Answer 1

It is a tried and true remedy, but it depends on exactly what the problem is. Put it this way: it costs you nothing to try. It worked a couple of times for me on a car with a poor starter, and got me to the shop for a new one. But how sure are you it is the starter, and not the switch, the battery, or the wiring?

Answer 2

I just had mines repaired i did it myself though but yeah if you hit it, it might start but thats only if it's clicking. their pretty expensive to buy but if you are good with cars call around to see who sells contacts or plungers.. These are what rebuilt starters are replaced with and they're cheap about 1-2 bucks for the contacts and 10-15 bucks for the plunger. This is all you need to fix a starter and it will run like new after this it takes about 30-1 hour to fix you can have a friend who knows how to fix cars do this for you and just pay him vs paying a machanic plus a new starter.

Answer 3

Yes and No! Yes on most starters as you can tap on the end of the starter away from the engine where the brushes are located on the end of the shaft and will often "come back to life" for one or two more starts. However if you have a permanent magnet starter like most Fords, and lots of other cars are using now, you are likely to bust the magnets inside and jam the starter so it won't turn regardless. No matter if you are sure that your's is bad anyway tap the end of it, but just rap it, don't bang the heck out of it. :-) Gotten down the road many times doing just that. Good Luck! . One more thing, helps on the newer cars to have somebody hold the key to start while you tap on it if doesn't appear to work the other way. Make SURE that the car is in park, brake on etc.

Answer 4

if its the solenoid that sticks you can try and tap on it with big wrench and while you there check for loose wires and that sort of thing

Answer 5

if its a standard shift then just hold the clutch in with then trans in 2nd gear while someone gives you a push,it dont have to be going fast just a good roll and let the clutch out with your foot on the gas just make sure your ignition is in the on position.that should start it but you need to get that fixed as you may get in a situation where you cant get a shove.

Answer 6

If it's the starter and not the solenoid tapping it will work, just don't smack it to hard.....a few taps should do. the starter should be under the car towards the front with wires going to it. Check an automotive website for a picture to familurize yourself! Good Luck!

Answer 7

Don't know where the starter is but it's bad. Just because it doesn't start your car doesn't make it defective. You need to find the problem first. Spend a bunch of bucks to change a starter and it don't work would make me unhappy. Evaryone should carry AAA insurance for assistance. You are not knowledgeable about your problem so be careful tapping on things. There are some wires on the starter and the solenoid that can make some huge sparks as they are connected directly to the battery. If we knew your symptoms maybe you could get more help. Does it click when key is turned to start ? Is the battery charged ? You can push start a manual shift but not an automatic.

Answer 8

me and my buddy had our hands on a saturn with no starter.. we just had to give it a push start then it was fine.. no joke it works