1990 240sx w/ KA starting problems. (never happened like this before)

[digitalcox]

Hello everyone. I wanted to post this topic because it is bothering me trying to figure out the possible problem.

My buddy let me watch / drive his '90 240sx while he is on vacation. It was sitting in my garage for a couple days before I decided to take it out. While I was driving, out of nowhere the RPM's dropped and I could not accelerate anymore. I would put my foot on the gas pedal but no response. When I pulled the car over, it ended up shutting down on me. It won't start anymore.

When I do try to start it back up, it feels like it wants to crank but doesn't turn over. The only thing I am thinking could be the problem is the fuel pump taking a crap on the car.

If anyone can add some more insight on my problem, I will totally appreciate it. Thank you in advance.

Have a good one,Justin

[5upra]

you are going to have to do some testing..first look at fuses..test for spark-pull fuel pump relay/fuse(make sure to crank before going on)pull a plug out of engine hold to a good engine ground and have someone turn car over if no spark try another still no spark look at distabutor.This could be a lengthy process so start there and post the results.

[Silvia2NR]

I say fuel pump. Just have someone turn the key (2nd click) and go in the trunk and listen if it's comming on or not...very simple to diagnose the fuel pump. The pump shuts off after a couple of seconds so keep taking the key out and putting it back in and listen carefully.

[digitalcox]

Ok, here is a little update on my problem.

I did what Silvia2NR mentioned and checked to see that the fuel pump was coming on. The pump came on then turned off after a few seconds so that is a good thing.

I went ahead and pulled some fuses. I first pulled the EGI Pump relay fuse to look at it then the EGI fuse right next to it. When I put both fuses back in and tried to start the car, it wouldn't even try to crank over anymore. All I am getting is the starter clicking.

All the lights still work (headlights, corners, interior lights) along with the cd player.

It seems like I am digging myself deeper and deeper into this car.

Again, if anyone has any input they would like to share, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so far for the help. I was able to rule out some of the things.

EDIT:So I decided to pull up my vehicle next to the 240 and hook up jumper cables to it out of curiousity. Sure enough when I turned the key, it started to crank but not turn over again. After taking off the jumper cables, I tried it again and the car would start to crank but not turn over.

Now I am leaning towards a possible alternator problem.

The joys of working on automobiles.

Have a good one,Justin
Modified by digitalcox at 6:40 PM 1/31/2006

[Ni2s4s0aSnX]

I say check the fuel pump fuse before you do anything else.

[5upra]

go ahead check the fuel pump fuse if you want but if it pressurizing the system then I don't think it is a fuse...try the spark test and post those results

[digitalcox]

Here are some more things I tried out last night when I got in from work. I put a fuse tester on the specific fuses that could be the problem but all of them gave me a green light telling me that they are still good and are not blown.

I then, took out the spark plugs to take a gander at them to see how they looked. Here are the pictures of what they did look like:

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When I pulled out the spark plug closest to the firewall, the scent of gas was very strong and the plug itself was wet.

After looking at these, I decided to change the spark plugs with an extra set I had lying around. Tried to crank it out of curiousity and still didn't get anything. I will try to perform a spark test when I get home tonight.

I can't say this enough, but thank you for helping me out.

Have a good one,Justin

[Silvia2NR]

Do you pump the gas pedal as you're turning the key? pump it quickly as your cranking.

[onosqv]

1) Put a multimeter to the battery (i.e. red on positive, and black on a ground point/chassis etc) - see how many volts are present... if it is a battery problem, you may have not charged the car long enough. Alternator problem or not - car should still start if you are jumping correctly since you are "borrowing" another car's alternator.

2) Is your car out of gas?

3) Is the car modified? i.e. is there an open intake element & it happened to disconnect itself from the intake tube along w/ the maf?

I only said #2 because it happened to a friend, ROFL. I only said #3 because it happened to me - that's how my car died on the street the other month because I forgot to tighten down the clamp.

[digitalcox]

Do you pump the gas pedal as you're turning the key? pump it quickly as your cranking.

Yes I have. It still does nothing.

2) Is your car out of gas?

I was actually driving back from the gas station when this happened so it has a full tanks.

3) Is the car modified? i.e. is there an open intake element & it happened to disconnect itself from the intake tube along w/ the maf?

The car just has cat-back exhaust and intake. I will have to look into that to see if anything disconnected or not.

I wasn't able to do the spark test last night since I had to stay late at work so I am hoping to get out on time today to work on it.

-Justin

[5upra]

3) Is the car modified? i.e. is there an open intake element & it happened to disconnect itself from the intake tube along w/ the maf?

OOOO good call...yeah check those!

[slipnfall]

Well if the fuel pump is priming, and you smell fuel on the plugs, then rule out a fuel problem. As broke. said above, it isn't the alternator.

Also, you *don't* want to be pumping the pedal if the car is flooded - you'll just make matters worse. The quick 'n dirty way to clear a flood is to floor the pedal while cranking. This will clear the cylinder, but remember the plugs will likely still be wet.

I would check spark: remove the plugs one at a time, install it back into the wire, and place the tip of the plug(ground) to the exhaust manifold while cranking. If you're worried about getting shocked, use a wrag or what-not and hole it by the top of the plug wire(that protrudes the valve cover).

HTH. You have fuel, you need spark... only other thing is air, which could be related to the MAF, or an intake leak, again as broke. suggested.