car is not starting again. :(

[SteezOnSkeez]

It wasn't working before with the security system in it. I ripped that out and replaced a fuse and a relay. Car started up fine about 6 times after that, i drove it for about 20 miles and now the starter solenoid isn't even clicking when i went to start it up this morning. so... any input would be great because right now im s.o.l.

another question, is it comon for the sending unit to rust and rot out if its been sitting outside a few months during the winter? I ask because I noticed a gas leak underneath the rear end when I cycled the key.

[vancouverbc]

hit the starter motor and see if it starts. if not, hook up positive of battery directly to starter. on my 91 240sx, i just disconnected the connector going to starter motor. i think the wire was small either black/white or black/yellow. stab a small screw driver into connector and connect to battery with battery cable. car should start if starter motor working. if you removed any killer relays (for security system) make certain you made good connections when patching things up. best to solder joints.

if you have a multimeter or test light, disconnect connector going to starter motor . put a probe in the connector on battery side, you should have positive when you turn key to start. one probe on ground and one probe in connector should show 12 v or light up test light. if not, you know power is not getting to starter so problem is wiring or relays up to that point.

obiously, ensure you have a good battery.

[SteezOnSkeez]

hey thanks man, I'll try that out when I get out of class on monday.

Another question, now would I have these same problems when lets say I get the SR swap done because you use part of the wiring?

[vancouverbc]

the link below describes the operation of relay. it's just a switch that can be controlled remotely.

http://www.the12volt.com/relays/relays.asp

Another question, now would I have these same problems when lets say I get the SR swap done because you use part of the wiring?"

most likely, your problem is a bad starter motor. when you turn your key, you are just connecting positive to a wire going to your starter motor.The 89-92 240sx(manual) has an inhibitor relay in this wire going to starter. a relay is just a switch(open/close) in the wire that opens and closes. when you depress clutch, a simple switch(clutch interlock switch) closes, supplying ground to relay coil. the coil is energized and closes the inhibitor relay(switch) ,sending positive to starter. so, you have three switches in wire going to starter: (1) one that closes when you turn key (2) one that closes when you depress clutch (3) inhibitor relay that closes when it gets positive from you turning key and negative from the clutch being depressed. if you don't get positive delivered to starter motor , you can jumper th inhibitor relay and cluch interlock switch to see if they are the problem.

for security, some people put another relay(switch) in the wire going to starter. for example, when the alarm is armed, power might be supplied to relay coil keeping relay open so positive does not get to starter motor

[SteezOnSkeez]

sorry i shouldn't have asked why my car wasn't starting. I should have just gone to a wiring diagram first instead of just getting frustrated at the car. I know how a relay works, I'm not the normal n00b on this site. I feel ashamed to say that I'm going to school for motorsports and I couldn't diagnose something so simple. oh well i guess theres some other weird stuff going on that i'll check with me dvom when its not raining out. Turned out to be just the clutch switch being out of adjustment. So i just grounded the circuit for now until i can really fix it. Thank you though vancouverbc