Nissan Repair: 90 Nissan Maxima wont start again, nissan maxima, gine

Question
QUESTION: 1990 Nissan Maxima (manual) - I drove my car across town and it drove just
fine. I turned the car off for about 5 minutes to go into a store and when I
returned the car would not start. All of the lights inside the car are on and the
headlights do not dim when I turned the ignition. Also there is no sound
coming from the car it's just quiet. I was able to kick start the car and drive it
back home with no problems. My question is, what could the problem be? I
have a new alternator in the car and about 3 months ago I had the car
serviced and I had to have the battery charged, but up until today is drove
fine. Any ideas would be appreciate. Thanks in advance.

ANSWER: Hi Keith -

The fact that you can kick start the en gine tells me that the starter is defective. Replace that and you should be good to go.

You may further test by hitting the starter with a hammer while someone tries to start it. Usually that will start the car a few times more.

Hope his helps -
aloha
calvin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Calvin,
I just went outside and my car started with no problems. I did not do anything to the starter or the battery and there was no noise coming from the car when I started it. This is weird! Do you still think that it is the starter? Last night after I drove the car back home and turned it off it would not start (still did not make any noises and all of the lights inside the car were working and no dimmed headlights) and so I just came inside the house and left it alone. About 2 months ago my car would not start, but the lights dimmed when I turned the key and I had to take the battery in to be charged. Could I have a defective battery? It's about 1 yrs old.  Thanks again Calvin for your help.

Answer
HI Keith -

Yes, I still suspect the starter. Do you have a 12V light tester? It is fairly inexpensive. Get one of those and you can diagnose it yourself.

There are 2 wires that go to the starter, a large one that comes straight from the battery, and a smaller gauge wire that is attached to the solenoid and gets power when you turn the ignition on with the key.

Next time the car does not start, check the solenoid wire. If there is power going to the terminal when the key is turned, then it is the starter. If there is no power at all, then you might want to check or replace the ignition switch, located behind the key cylinder on the steering column.

Please let me know how it goes -

have a great holiday season
calvin