1996 240sx S14 Odd Starting Issue. Repost

[fun240]

So im below a quarter of a tank, and it shuts off, as im coasting down the road. All the dashboard lights cut on, and it completly dies. So im thinking, ok no gas.. But i didn't get a sputter before it cut off. So whatever, i get gas, dump it in, Nothing. The car is still turning over, But will not spark. So i check the fuel pump cables connecting to the iron lines? im not for sure wtf this is called. Anyways, fuel comes pouring out. Still not starting. So i start checking fuses. Nothings blown. I pull majority of the fuses out. Still nothing. So just as im calling the tow truck, it starts right up. I finally get it down to the gas station, cut it off. Fill it up, Starts right up. So im punching it back to the house. Reving it up, Etc etc. Get to the house. Cut it off, grab a drink. Max 10 minutes later come out, AND NOTHING. Does not start at all!!! Still turns over. all my lights are on, everything, clock, whatever. Push it to the back yard!!!!!So pop the hood. Change the spark plugs. Nothing. Now theirs 2 wires that come off the main wire harness that plugs into the distribiter cap. One is a HUGE BLACK PLUG i unno wtf it is, but it connects into a another plug, that is coming off the wire harness that comes around my valve cover over the manifold. ok so the other plug is a slinder 1 with a fuse looking thing that plugs into it. I HAVE NO CLUE WTF THESE 2 ARE... So i take all this apart. clean the 2 plugs up, take the fuse out the slinder 1, and take the big black adapter off the plug.. THE CAR STARTS!!!!!!!!!!!!! so i let it run for a minute, whatever. Shut it off, let it sit. try to start it. NOTHING. then i look around again. The end of the wire harness that plugs into the distribiter cap there is 2 plugs on it. THE PLUG ON THE TOP OF IT has a splice in 2 places of the wire. DOES THIS HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT? And why did my car start???? ... i have no clue what is going on.. i disconnect stuff, it starts. I plug it back in. it doesn't.. And what happened after it shut off today and why did it start right back up after i did NOTHING??!?!?!? I've had the car for over 4 months AND IT HAS NOT GIVING ME ANY PROBLEMS until i ran it out of gas..... Now it seems like i crucified it.

If anyone knows ANYTHING about this at all, please inform me... If need be, ill just buy a whole new wiring harness to get this problem out of my face and go onto the next

Thanks

[Bwana]

I would begin by properly repairing the spliced wire. At least put some butt connectors on it, or better yet solder and shrink wrap it. That may not solve the problem, but it will at least eliminate the possibility of a loose/intermittent connection.

[fun240]

Alright so i do that... But what about the 2 other plugs, Why did the car start with them disconnected??

[Bwana]

I have no idea which wires they are. If you could take a pic and highlight them, or trace them that would help.

[fun240]

the 2 plugs are my condensor and resistor... Car ran without these 2 hooked up... Why?

My condensor was melted...

Im about to fix the splice in the wire that is my ignition coil that plugs into the distributor cap....

Any other tips? should i leave my condensor and resistor unplugged?

What u guys think?

[Bwana]

The engine will run with those disconnected, because they're not essential to the coils operation. Check out this pic, it should help out. Click for full size.

[fun240]

Ok so i fixed the splice in the wire conneting to the ignition coil...

I just slammed some electrical tape around it and plugged it back on to the distrubtor cap......

Taped up the CONDENSOR PLUG, Without a CONDENSOR on it...

Put the fuse back in the Resistor...

THE CAR STARTS... I tried to get it red hot and shut it off... Started right back up..

So wtf is the problem?? Its been starting good, maybe a LITTLE hesitation...

I redid the eletrical tape around hte wiring harness that runs infront of the valve cover and moved it off the block. everythings good now, i suppose...

What else should i check? Did this fix it? Can i get more then 1 input on this... I dont wanna be left stranded further from the house

[Bwana]

I'm going to guess that the intermittent starting problem was due to the poor connection in the coil power wire. If you want to fix it really properly, cut out the section where it was spliced before and replace it soldering and shrink wrapping the joints. I'd also replace the condenser.

I'll see if I can get somebody to chime in with a second opinion for you.

[x240xdrifter]

I'm going to guess that the intermittent starting problem was due to the poor connection in the coil power wire. If you want to fix it really properly, cut out the section where it was spliced before and replace it soldering and shrink wrapping the joints. I'd also replace the condenser.

I'll see if I can get somebody to chime in with a second opinion for you.

go with what he said, I couldn't say it better myself

you need to properly fix the coil wire, thats that, and don't be stupid and wrap it in elect. tape only. properly solder or atleast use a butt connector. the reason the car would work/not work is probably from the crappy splice, being so crappy, its getting power sometimes, and vice versa

[Dano]

yep, i didn't have time to read this thread very thoroughly before i'm out the door, but definately sounds like the power wire to the coil...

-Dan

[fun240]

ok i did tape it all up with electric tape...

But the car is still doing it...

I drove it 10 miles, and as i was pulling thru a yellow light(thank god i ran it) it cut off, as i was giving it gas making a left hand turn....

So i have a little silicone on the ignition harness plug... i wiped it off. checked everything we did over again, make sure nothing came loose. tried to start it... nothing...

so here i am again, about to call the tow truck (10 minutes later...after trying to start it the first time) it starts... i manage to drive it the 10 miles back home, and it didn't cut off on me...

should i of not gave it gas while turning thru the light?

Is this still the wiring harness plug thats causing this? i taped it all up and its pushing 1ohms ... what it should be....

And im sorry i don't understand what u mean by sauder...

Do i remove the plug itself and sauder the 2 wires directly to the ends inside where i put the harness in???

Im so confused at this point.. Ive done research and it seems like i need to replace my distributor...

[fun240]

Any suggestions???

Looking for more pointers... Should i just replace my distributor??

I can go outside now, and fire the car up... It just doesn't run long...

When it shuts off, and i try to start it with the fuel filter line disconnected it pours gas.. so i know thats good...