Car wont start. Please help.

[4Devils30]

I have a 1990 300ZX 2+2 with about 88,000 miles on it. It has spent years mainly sitting in the driveway and in the garage. I have been trying to get it registered and insured which included a smog check. It didn't pass smog so I took it to a local guy (NOT a Z mechanic). He said the engine wasn't firing well because the last guy put in the wrong spark plugs. He changed the plugs, it passed smog, but before I could pick the car up, it is no longer starting.

Keep in mind I am not a car buff, just love the car. So I probably wont understand much technical stuff. I can only do very simple repairs. The mechanic is a good guy and isn't charging me any labor to fix the starting issue but he is having a hard time getting someone who knows the Z to help him out. The local dealer told him the car was too old for them to assist with. I am trying to get ideas to pass on to him.

There are no mods to the car. The car has the built in security system. The battery is about 1.5 years old. The key is the original key. When you turn the key, there is nothing, it doesn't even try to turn over. The mechanic had a lock guy look at the car who told him it is a problem with the built in security system. Normally when you unlock the door, the security light on the dashboard turns off but now the security light continues to blink. The lock guy thinks it is possibly something in the wiring from the alarm to the starter. FYI, when I first took the car to get smogged, the smog guy told me the car wouldn't start. I went to the car and it was able to start. I have noticed in the past that sometimes when I tried to start the car, I would turn the key and have to wait about 2 seconds before it would do anything. When it would turn over, it would start right away. Not sure if that is anything important. There was a time when a mouse got into the engine compartment and chewed the hood insulation and a wire to the speakers so maybe it is a wiring thing. I don't think the problem happened because the battery was disconnected because when the car sat for long periods of time, I would disconnect the battery and it would start when I reconnected it.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[nissanfreak12]

If you want to find out if its a security issue, tell him to bypass the starter relay. I would suggest still using a relay, just not the one that is in the car. Basically the security system is wire through the starter relay, which is in the fender on the drivers side.

When I did my 5 speed swap, I ran into a similar issue, so I rewired the relay, kept it hooked through the NSS(neutral Safety Switch) but made it its own source to start the car. WOrked for me and if he is decent with wiring, pretty easy to do. Now will that solve your starting problem, maybe. You may still have issues with it actually starting, but that should get it to turn over.

I would start reading up on green corrosion in the connectors. Testing ECU, getting codes out. If you look on the home page, there is "everything you need to know about the Z32" it even has a factory service manual in it.

[evildky]

Where are you?

Invariably people say they can't find someone in their area with any knowledge, I immediately glance at their profile to find they left their location blank, help us help you.

[4Devils30]

If you want to find out if its a security issue, tell him to bypass the starter relay. I would suggest still using a relay, just not the one that is in the car. Basically the security system is wire through the starter relay, which is in the fender on the drivers side.

When I did my 5 speed swap, I ran into a similar issue, so I rewired the relay, kept it hooked through the NSS(neutral Safety Switch) but made it its own source to start the car. WOrked for me and if he is decent with wiring, pretty easy to do. Now will that solve your starting problem, maybe. You may still have issues with it actually starting, but that should get it to turn over.

I would start reading up on green corrosion in the connectors. Testing ECU, getting codes out. If you look on the home page, there is "everything you need to know about the Z32" it even has a factory service manual in it.

Thanks. Appreciate the quick reply. I will suggest he try it.

[4Devils30]

Where are you?

Invariably people say they can't find someone in their area with any knowledge, I immediately glance at their profile to find they left their location blank, help us help you.

Thanks. I am about 1 1/2 hours from the San Jose California Bay area. It isn't that I couldn't find someone in the area. I have heard good things about the Z Car Garage in San Jose. My original plan was to get the car legal on the road so I can take it there for some other maintenance issues. This was supposed to be a quick fix.