Fresh swap. Starter click once at key turn.

[s13_chris]

Just installed a new SOHC motor and whenever I turn the key the starter only clicks once. I tryed the power wire to the ground wire and see if it would start but it only clunks once. I have done this swap in gravel and my back hurts and am super pissy about this right now. Again if you need more detail ask I NEED to get my car running. Bad weather soon. No street bike.

Again- Battery has powerTurn the key with clutch inStarter clicks once and stops.Lights dim,cd player stops.

I have a aftermarket alarm but I doubt this is working since I havn't used alarm in about 3 months.

[s13_chris]

Anybody?? Do I need a new starter? It kind of flexes when ever it clicks too. I can watch it and it moves very slightly. I've tried the power wire to the ground post and all that. Nothing any help PLEASE

[scottydog]

Starter solenoid? try bypassing it and see if it turns over. Unless you have a bad connection, bad battery or bad relay it's the starter.

The lights dimming suggests weak battery. Have you tried jumping it?

[s13_chris]

I dont mean they dim always. It's only when I turn key to start it. I think that happened even before swap.I have tryed to jump car yes. And if you mean bypassing it by using a piece of wire and touching one of the posts to the black power wire yes i've tryed that. Its louder and sounds like it moves more when I do that. Any more help please. NEED my car running.

[s13_chris]

UPDATE: Still nothing. When I turn the key I can hear the starter click once and then nothing. I tested the starter it works perfectly. I checked starter relay and still nothing. Please, any help.
Modified by 240sx_ch08 at 1:19 PM 10/9/2008

[Cone Junky]

So the starter works when bench tested?

The proper thing to do is check for proper voltage to the solenoid at to the starter. If those check out, check for voltage drop between the starter and the battery.

BTW-make sure you can turn the engine by hand. The starter can't turn a locked up motor

[s13_chris]

Turn the engine? how do I check if it is locked or not. Motor was functional 3 months ago when I took it out of another 240.

[carkook]

Check the battery terminals. Maybe your not getting a good enough connection.

[theother1wstolen]

definitely test your ignition switch

[s13_chris]

definitely test your ignition switch

How do I go about testing that? Location also?

Check the battery terminals. Maybe your not getting a good enough connection.

I have cleaned the battery posts, cleaned the connection terminals, clean the battery grounds and on my voltmeter pulled 12.3X last night. And the same on the starter I just didn't have enough hands to turn the car over and watch volt meter at the same time.

[sil80tt]

sounds like it could be your starter Solenoid.. try turning the the ignition back and forth a couple times, also check to see if your starter leads are properly connected and tightened.. i had this problem before.. if thats not it u also might wanna check ur battery terminal connections......if not u might wanna check into getting ur starter rebuilt or get another one from AutoZone...thats the easiest way 2 go....lol

Good luck dude!!

[johnnyballs180]

Turn the engine? how do I check if it is locked or not. Motor was functional 3 months ago when I took it out of another 240.

i think you just get a big *** socket on the crank and turn clockwise. it shouldn't be easy, but shouldn't be stuck either.transmission can't be engaged.

but after reading everyone's post, i'm not inclined to think it's a locked motor either. sounds to me like a ****ty starter; how often is anyone so lucky to just have a loose wire floating around, causing the problem?

[nrmskate]

Had the same problem.

It was my battery.

Couple things you need to do.

Recharge your battery, its ****, its needs 13.8v to crank.

also, take off your starter, go to napa, get it checked.

Its not hard, only 2 bolts and a nut.

[srpowered240sx]

ive been talking my little brother through this if anyone is interested in the actual issue. had him turn it over by hand, and it wouldnt. so i told him to pull the transmission, i figured he had the input shaft of the trans in at an odd angle, low and behold, it was. im walking him through replacing the pilot and putting a new clutch on it. gonna take a quick trip back home to help him finish if he cant get it done by this weekend by himself.

[Cone Junky]

So the starter works when bench tested?

The proper thing to do is check for proper voltage to the solenoid at to the starter. If those check out, check for voltage drop between the starter and the battery.

BTW-make sure you can turn the engine by hand. The starter can't turn a locked up motor

Man it's a burdon knowing everything

[srpowered240sx]

Man it's a burdon knowing everything

isnt it? after he tested it and i had him run through the rest of the starter system, i had him turn it over. then he admitted to me the trouble he had getting the trans and motor together. bingo, i knew his issue. thanks for the help though, as always.

[Cone Junky]

A second head always helps the thought process too

[srpowered240sx]

for those wondering, we got the car working.

extremely hungover (important to remember throughout) i slammed home at 10am or so, (6 hrs) with some tools and a jack and helped stab the transmission back on, hook all back up, and try to start the car only to find out that it tried to jump off the jack stands (trans constantly engaged) -the clutch disc was installed backwards, gotta follow those directions chris. slept a few hours, woke up at 8, pulled the trans again, put on new clutch disc and pp, put trans back on, hook all back up, and fired it off. then i took a shower, cleaned up, and drove home (6 hrs).

it was a wild weekend. but the car works now.

[leonelrr]

I NOTICED NO ONE EVER MENTIONED THE PEDAL SWITCH LOCATED IN THE CLUTCH PEDAL, IF THIS LIL MTRFCKR GOES OUT THERE IS NO STARTING BOYS.

DON'T ASK ME HOW I KNOW

[srpowered240sx]

I NOTICED NO ONE EVER MENTIONED THE PEDAL SWITCH LOCATED IN THE CLUTCH PEDAL, IF THIS LIL MTRFCKR GOES OUT THERE IS NO STARTING BOYS.

DON'T ASK ME HOW I KNOW

reading comprehesion owns you.

[Cone Junky]

reading comprehesion owns you.

Yes, but his sig pic is a valid enough reason for him to post. We should all encourage more boobs and short skirts on this site...

[gah171]

A fully charged 12 volt battery should have 12.8 volts. 12.3 is only about 30%. 12 volt is 0%. your battery is weak.

[sx moneypit]

Do you realize how old this thread is?