is it the starter?

[kniv3z]

i just bought a 1989 240sx on friday .. so the dude tells me it runs fine and nothings wrong with it. so i drive it home, everythings fine. i turned it off, and turned it back on .. then i turned it off again and then i tried to start it and it didn't start ... when i turn the key it clicks but doesn't start. so my dad banged on the starter with a breaker while i turned the key and it started, i tried that again and now it doesn't start at all ... do i need a new starter?

im new here by the way, my name is jose. thanks for any replies

[91nissantwo40sx]

i just bought a 1989 240sx on friday .. so the dude tells me it runs fine and nothings wrong with it. so i drive it home, everythings fine. i turned it off, and turned it back on .. then i turned it off again and then i tried to start it and it didn't start ... when i turn the key it clicks but doesn't start. so my dad banged on the starter with a breaker while i turned the key and it started, i tried that again and now it doesn't start at all ... do i need a new starter?

im new here by the way, my name is jose. thanks for any replies

from your description, it sounds like a starter problem. So you might wanna start there first. I am sure its a starter problem 90%

[kniv3z]

okay cool, i'll pick one up tomorrow and throw it on to see what happends. do you by any chance know if they're hard to install? and how long would it take

[2056515]

u should really never bang on the starter....u could ruin the magnets in there. so...when u turn the key...does the engine crank at all??

[574-240sx]

sounds like a starter but you should check the connections too the starter first. Clean them and make sure they aren't falling apart, it may save you from buying a starter.

[ufakefe]

10-4 also check the battery connection & load test. start simple.

[91nissantwo40sx]

okay cool, i'll pick one up tomorrow and throw it on to see what happends. do you by any chance know if they're hard to install? and how long would it take

starters are easy to install. Make sure you unplug the negative side of your battery first though or else you'll get sparks while un bolting the starter bolts. There are only two bolts and it will take you like 15 mins to do a swap.

just like what 574-240sx said. You may want to check the connections first.

DONT FORGET TO UNPLUG THE NEGATIVE SIDE OF YOUR BATTERY FIRST BEFORE DOING THE JOB.

[Clawhammer]

This is a common problem that has many different causes. Search around some of them have been covered. For example if you have a 5spd it could be the interlock relay.

Many people, myself included, just continuously turn the key until the car starts. It could click like 30 times but the car would still start eventually haha.

My personal problem was the bolt on the solenoid (that says "make sure you snug this in tight") was was not only stripped but loose causing bad connectivity. I swapped solenoids from a spare starter and it hasn't given me trouble since.

Everyone says it's easy to swap out the starter, but it took me forever. I've swapped out starters on other cars and it was a breeze. My automagic transmission put extra junk between me and the starter, making it harder to work on. Also, every single bolt I have ever taken off has been threadlocked into place from the factory. This problem was bigger than normal because of the limited space I had to work in. Good luck.

[kniv3z]

okay, thanks a lot guys, i'll try it out and let you guys know how it went

[lbrowne]

I would put money down that its the starter, I'm in the same boat right now.

On the manual, its two bolts and then the power connection. Minutes to remove. I got at it from the top.