Nissan Repair: starter on 92 nissan p/u, motor brushes, inopportune time

Question
would not crank until i tapped starter with hammer then did fine

Answer
Hi Phillip -

Replace the starter. There is carbon build up on the motor brushes when the starter starts to fail, and when there is enough build up, then there is no connection, and the car does not start. When you tap the starter, it shakes off the build up, and the car obviously will start again.

However this is only a temporary fix, as the motor brushes are worn, and one day the car will not start even if you tap the starter. So, I would say replace it now to avoid being stuck in an undesirable place at an inopportune time.

hope this helps -
aloha
calvin