It's the little things.....not the starter.

[crakin]

My wife has been driving my 240 around for awhile. As it seems it's fate as a grocery-getter is sealed for now. It expresses to us how unhappy it is with it's current job duties by not starting. So, as i try to crank everything works except when you crank it...no clicking nothing. 1. not the battery obviously 2.maybe its that clutch switch ?No I changed that already. 3. maybe the starter so i pull it and take it to Autozone who tests it and says it fails(sounds weak the old man tells me) when the screen says it passes 2 different times. i get a new starter anyways and change it fairly quickly. After the long task i get excited to start it ....nothing ...i run around hollering and cussing looking for the volt meter that ran away, check the battery, get my wife to start it while I watch the headlights, and I'm about to jump the starter to the ign. when it hits me....that little acrylic pad on the clutch that disengages the safety. I look and there it is in crumbles under the floor mat. I spent 115 on the starter and 4.99 for some bolts and nuts that actually fixed it. eff so I hope someone reads this and it keeps them from blowin a cash wod. you get mixed up when you've owned a couple of 240's.

[Rev_D21]

I had the same thing happen on my hadrbody. Moved to 240gen.

[jak89]

Where is the clutch switch, and what is that little acrylic pad? I'm having a problem with my car it wouldent start yesterday until I sat in the car and played with the key for a while listening to little clicking sounds and no it wasnt the starter, and finally got to start. now it starts up every time but I dont wanna get stuck somewhere.

[slow40]

jak, it's not your clutch switch. it's mounted on the clutch pedal assembly under the dash. it is depressed when you fully press the clutch in to keep idiots from starting their car in gear. It sounds like it could be your battery. Have it tested, if it's good, then yes it probably was your starter. Take it off and autozone can check it for free.

[Second Shadow]

I had the exact same thing happen to me like 5 years ago, and actually about 3 years ago the pads for the break pedal went too. (on that one, if that happens your break lights will never turn off, eventually draining your battery).

I replaced all that crap with nuts and bolts though, I'll never have that problem again. (and one more note for that, if you do something like that make sure your solution doesn't keep the pedal from returning to its resting position. if you don't heed that, bad things will happen).

[btm88]

jak, also make sure all your connections are good. A bad connection between the battery and the starter will not allow enough juice to get to the starter, thus why it clicks.

[martins_240sx]

go to the front passenger side of your engine bay, behind the battery, there is a blue relay...the starter relay...the part number is on it. call nissan and give it to them. 36 bucks iirc, un plug and plug in new one...this is your problem

[240ChukiSX]

How do you know if it's the starter relay, clutch switch, or starter that's the problem? Is there a specific characteristic that will let us know which one went bad? My car won't start in warm climates above 85 degrees. I'm thinking that it's the starter solenoid because I think that it expands when your engine is warmed up. And then afterwards, won't retract until your engine is cold. Am I correct? This is what a auto technician told me.

[wingFeather]

I had similar symptoms this week. Accessories & lights came on fine, but no cranking. Turned out to be the starter!!! Bad starter was also wearing down the battery somehow (I'm guessing it got stuck engaged, or shorted out).

[martins_240sx]

the relay will have same symptoms as the clutch switch.. you can hard wire the clutch switch...but both send signals for the starter to ingage...im tellin you its that blue relay

[240ChukiSX]

So it's really that blue bastard huh? The starter relay is only about 20 bucks. But I only would want to replace it if it's really the problem. I rather get a new starter too. Just to be sure. Now I'mma buy both to be on the safe side.

[martins_240sx]

ok spend your money...i did the same thing...but, no thud no click no smoke from the starter usually means that something before the starter is bad.

[240ChukiSX]

ok spend your money...i did the same thing...but, no thud no click no smoke from the starter usually means that something before the starter is bad.

Meaning? Like usually what? Could it be a sensor? Or maybe a bad connection? I know for sure it's not the battery.

[martins_240sx]

ok...it could be a loose wire/ bad connection anywhere between the key ignition all the way up to the connections on the starter...no sensor is in the starting system. I have told you what your problem is, so now it is up to you to go get the relay and fix it...and it isnt your battery, i am done here

[240ChukiSX]

ok...it could be a loose wire/ bad connection anywhere between the key ignition all the way up to the connections on the starter...no sensor is in the starting system. I have told you what your problem is, so now it is up to you to go get the relay and fix it...and it isnt your battery, i am done here

Okay I can see your tired with all the questions so I will stop asking. Thanks for your inputs anyhow.

[martins_240sx]

no man..I apoligize for my last post. dont feel like you cant ask questions here, this is a very informitive site, and there is no such thing as a dumb question. Id been lost a million times if it wasnt for my confusing questions that seem so simple to others, knowledge is power. But on a real note im about 95% sure that will solve your problem and if it doesnt im sure myself or any of the other knowledgeable people on this site can help you. dont stop asking!