Problem after timing belt change

[ultimatt]

So, had the dealer change the timing and exterior belts on my 2000 3.4l. After the service I started (next day) having a starting problem. Turn the key and you would get a slow crank condition that would simply just stop (no clicking of the starter like it was a contact problem). Turn the key all the way off once or twice and it would start as normal. Took it back to dealer, they check the batt, starter and looked for any parasitic drain when key is out - they could not find a problem and could not replicate the condition.

A couple of week go by without any issues, now for the last 3 days when I turn the key nothing happens (no clicking, no slow crank..nothing). All the lights and stuff inside the car work fine and the battery appears OK. Whne you don't get the "nothing" condition, the slow crank condition is also present. After 5 or six tries the thing starts as normal and runs fine.

Any ideas on what the dealer may have done (or not done) during the belt change that could cause this?

 

[drmorbius]

So, had the dealer change the timing and exterior belts on my 2000 3.4l. After the service I started (next day) having a starting problem. Turn the key and you would get a slow crank condition that would simply just stop (no clicking of the starter like it was a contact problem). Turn the key all the way off once or twice and it would start as normal. Took it back to dealer, they check the batt, starter and looked for any parasitic drain when key is out - they could not find a problem and could not replicate the condition.

A couple of week go by without any issues, now for the last 3 days when I turn the key nothing happens (no clicking, no slow crank..nothing). All the lights and stuff inside the car work fine and the battery appears OK. Whne you don't get the "nothing" condition, the slow crank condition is also present. After 5 or six tries the thing starts as normal and runs fine.

Any ideas on what the dealer may have done (or not done) during the belt change that could cause this?

There should be an engine ground strap. It's possible this was not put back in it's original location. Anyway I would check the grounds.

 

[004Gunner]

There should be an engine ground strap. It's possible this was not put back in it's original location. Anyway I would check the grounds.

The ground was my 1st thought too. The battery is supposed to be disconnected during the timing belt change so that might be loose. Other than that, I have no idea.

 

[02T4R]

I am not 100% sure if this might help. My last car was a 95 maxima and I had the same problem it turned out to be my crank position sensor on the bottom of the engine was just disconnected as a result of a smoke show with a little wheel hop. haha. I hope this might help just go around your engine bay and check for any disconnected wires. Keep us informed.

 

[Victor]

Starter Contacts.

Your vehicle starts and runs fine after a few tries right? With that said, I doubt it's anything they did wrong during the timing belt service.
Beforehand, check your battery terminals for anything loose, from the battery downwards to your starter.

 

[raydouble]

Starter Contacts.

Your vehicle starts and runs fine after a few tries right? With that said, I doubt it's anything they did wrong during the timing belt service.
Beforehand, check your battery terminals for anything loose, from the battery downwards to your starter.

I've never seen the starter contacts create a slow start condition.....usually all (start) or nothing. (click)

Take it back to them, straight away.

 

[ultimatt]

got out the FSM and noticed that one of the steps to changing the timing belt is to disconnect a electrical connection under the engine cover that is for the starter.

I wonder if they did not get the connection just right and is not always making contact. This would explain why sometimes I get nothing from the starter...

 

[alp]

I would also check for a good connection between battery cables and their terminals. Cable end can be corrodde inside the terminal especially the positive one. I had this problem.

 

[raydouble]

How old is your battery?

Have you tested it?