KA24E Engine on my 1989 Wont start

[nrmskate]

Ok, Well, I bought, a 1989 Nissan 240SX. And when I bought it, it didn't run. (Bought it for CHEAP).

The story from the owner:

Ok, well the owner had been driving it for about 5 years now, and one day, the head gasket blew, and whatnot. So he took it in, and they replaced the head gasket and timing chain. But a day later after they replaced it, it broke down, ever since (Which was about 2 years ago) it has just been sitting there. The battery was obviously dead when we wen't to try to fire it up. So, we used a new one I bought, and, Nothing.... It wouldn't turn over, just kind of a whinning noise, Its like the timing belt wasn't cranking the flywheel....

Does anyone have some things I can check to locate the problem to fix?

I really need this car running, and have a 1000$ budget to fix it.

Thanks in advance.Nick.

PS: Has new spark plugs, so that can't be it.And Wiring is ALL attatched good.

[vancouverbc]

Getting to turn over is no big deal. its just a small electric motor that does that. hit both the starter and solenoid and make sure your battery cables are tight. youll have to do something about the old gas but that of course has nothing to do with it turning over. look up starter in tutorial link in my signature.

[nrmskate]

Im going to be taking a video of it trying to start up. Hopefully it will give you a good idea of what im dealing with.

Thanks.Nick.

[Encryptshun]

Its like the timing belt wasn't cranking the flywheel....

Please do the following:

1. Search these forums and get yourself a basic understanding of how automotive engines work -- concentrating on the KA24Es

2. Download an FSM for your model vehicle and read it about 4 times while looking at the corresponding area on your car

[nrmskate]

I know, that didn't sound right to me either, this is just the information the owner has given me. Im more educated about Honda F22B2 and H22A engines. Can you direct me to the FSM download?

Thanks.Nick.

[Encryptshun]

I know, that didn't sound right to me either, this is just the information the owner has given me. Im more educated about Honda F22B2 and H22A engines. Can you direct me to the FSM download?

Thanks.Nick.

Okay, Nick. Since you are a fellow Illinois boy I'll be gentle. I don't care if you know Honda F22B2, H22A, or H1BVisa -- not since steam-power has a belt driven a flywheel, and even then it wasn't a timing belt. You need to go to howstuffworks.com and learn elementary combustion engine mechanics. Then come back and repost your question.

The FSM is available if you just do a search here for "FSM". Go do it. Good luck!

[vancouverbc]

I know, that didn't sound right to me either, this is just the information the owner has given me. Im more educated about Honda F22B2 and H22A engines. Can you direct me to the FSM download?

Thanks.Nick.

see my signature

i dont know how wading through the fsm will help a 16 yr old

[nrmskate]

I have to work all this week, but on saturday, im going to review the car with the FSM and knock on the start and solenoid. Ill mess with the crankshaft to, to see if I can manually start it.

Thanks.Nick.

[leonelrr]

Umm ok man well the first thing i would advise you to do is drain that old gas. Change the fuel filter, and air filter oil if needed.The KA2E is the basically the same as the F22A do not be intimidated. It's the same **** except this is inline 4, rear wheel drive.Same principals...I believe the single cam do not have a time belt it's a time chain but still?

The starter, spins the flywheel, ignition=spark, gas, air.. And it starts..( just principals) So check the engine is getting fuel, spark, and air and it should start.Just listen to the starter, you can tell when it's spinning and when is not...If it's spinning then, check for spark and fuel.. Check your MAF( Mass air flow sensor, is located right after the air intake box.

[vancouverbc]

"Just listen to the starter, you can tell when it's spinning and when is not..."

there is something wrong if you can here the the starter spinning. it should be engaged to fly wheel. if it doesnt have enough battery power it cant spin. if the starter spins, you have defective starter. it only spins if you bypass the solenoid and give it direct power.

[Rucca]

Bashing the starter a bit should get it to engage if it is spinning. As vancouver said, starters have basically three electrical components. A solenoid that pushes the starter gear out to engage the flywheel, an electromagnet that then holds it in place (dead battery - try to start car - hear a clicking, that is the magnet not getting enough power to hold the starter in place so it just keeps being pushed out then snaps back and pushed out again), and then a motor that spins it.

So, if it is just spinning the solenoid is not working (assuming is it bolted in place that is, since you don't really know the cars history verify that it is bolted in place securely). Usually hitting a malfunctioning starter with a hammer gives you like a 50% chance of it starting so try that. In any case, you almost surely need a starter.