KA24e wont start

[driven17]

I need some help diagnosing what is wrong with my 240. I recently tried to turn my car on after stopping at a gas station and it would not start (after a full day of driving). The only thing my car did was make ONE click, like an electrical switch, when i had the clutch pushed in and tried to start it. Thinking the battery was bad we jumped it and replaced it, but it didn't start still... So I tried to jump it again and nothing, just the single click.

It has a brand new battery now, so I know thats good. But I don't know if its the starter or the alternator. I have been told to replace both, because one will be the solution, but I want to get it right the first time. There has to be a way to know which is bad before buying parts. Then on top of this, the repairs will have to be done 30min away from my house in a WalMart parking lot..GREAT. Can someone please help me?

[moso]

sounds like the starter is bad. you can try beating on it with a broom handle (or other hard object) while someone tries to crank the car, sometimes it will make the armature spin just enough to get the connection. sometimes this dosnt work. you can also try to directly jump the starter with jumper cables. or try to crank the car and if the battery cable gets hot its another sign that the starter is bad.

ps i changed mine in a gas station!!

[Pyrosynjection]

You can always push start your car if you need to get it home to work on it. Other than that, what moso said about hitting the starter and try cranking it over at the same time should get it going if you hear the click from the starter and not a relay.

[driven17]

thanks for the input, I will def be push starting it to get it home and I will look into trying to jump the starter directly. Will be my first time for both.

[driven17]

I got the starter off and had it tested and they said it was good. I ended up trying to replace the starter relay...still nothing. Ive tried to mess with the grounds but still nothing, any more insight would be appreciated. Im not sure what to try next

EDIT: after replacing the starter relay, it clicks there now and not at the starter

[moso]

sometimes when the starter bearings go bad the starter will test good but still be bad. its because there is no load on the starter when thay test it at the store. be persistent and dont take no for an answer. there are two leads that connect to the starter. one heavy duty cable and one small signal line. if you get current to the signal lead when you hit the switch and there is constant voltage on the heavy duty line than the starter IS BAD!

[Pyrosynjection]

Another thing you can check is the ignition switch sometimes those things can do what they want. See if you can find someone near by with a good one to test out. I honestly don't have a way to test to see if it is it unless you want to just replace it and hope for the best. Nissan Maximas were bad about them going out and you can get the relay to click and the motor will turn over but wont start if you put a jumper wire in the inhibitor /clutch relay. Don't know if it will be the same for the 240.

[martins_240sx]

go up to the front of the engine bay and remove your battery. there is a blue relay. replace that. the part number is on it and only nissan carries it. or replace it from one at a junkyard. it is $49 irrc. Mine was doing this on the dyno and after jumping the starter for a few hours i decided to swap the one from my coupe. started perfectly. only cost me 2 starters and the relay

[driven17]

OK i replaced the relay with an autozone match(assuming that would work, if you dont think its good enough ill get one from nissan) but still nothing.

I did what i THOUGHT was testing my signal lead by using my volt meter with red wire to signal lead and black to negative battery terminal and had someone try to start. By using it that way i did not get a reading. IF that way is wrong please educate me!!

ALSO after not being able to fix it, i took it to a mechanic that runs an import shop. He couldn't even find a problem.

If i replace the relay with a Nissan one, i suppose i will be replacing the starter as a last ditch effort. Though i still think the ignition switch could be the culprit.

[breadbox]

Check engine grounds and make sure you terminals are f'd up. My car wouldn't start, new terminals and now it start everytime and on an old battery too.

[driven17]

New news, talked to the mechanic, he said the (autozone) relay i put it IS getting power but there is not power going out to the starter. SO NOWWW does anyone have a suggestion? I was thinking a nissan relay could be the fix?

i feel like im so close to finding the problem

[martins_240sx]

well i think you should go to nissan and get the correct one...but if that isnt your problem you should get a wiring scematic and follow from the source of power. where ever it stops if not the starter then thats your problem. if it stops at the starter then you know its the starter

[driven17]

i will be doing that. Do you know how to exactly jump the starter to test that? hot wire on the solenoid goes to something?

[martins_240sx]

to see if the motor of the starter works connect the power post to the ground post. using something conductive..screwdriver..be careful. but the mechanic was saying there was no power coming out of the selenoid. someone correct me if im wrong but the blue selenoid holds the power to the starter until the key is turned which opens the relay to send power to the starter. so look at the wiring diagram and see witch wire is supposed to send the "opening" juice to the relay. it should be ignition system. im honestly in doubt its that but who knows. try to get your hands on the real selenoid. nissan told me it was a very common problem. the keep them in stock since alot of the vics use the same one.

[driven17]

GREAT NEWS, autozones part was the problem. Went to nissan 1 min before the parts place closed and got me a starter relay they said the were out of(lucky for me their inventory was wrong) and 10 min later at my house my car fired right up.

Thanks for everyone's help i hope my problem can help someone else.

[martins_240sx]

told ya!!!! jk glad it worked

[dccse3k]

how much was the relay?

[martins_240sx]

iirc its is 49.98

[driven17]

the relay is 26.** from nissan.

my car is now dead again...what are the signs of a bad ignition switch? One thing i noticed was the steering wheel did get locked up and was difficult to unlock when starting the car (the first few times). Im not sure how else to test it.

[martins_240sx]

hmmmm. the symptoms you are having are signs for bad ignition too...

Bad Igntion Switch: If your battery checks out, but the starter is still silent, it may be a faulty ignition switch. Turn the key to the on position (not all the way to start). If the red warning lights on your dash don't light up (and your battery connections are clean), the ignition switch is bad. If they do light up, turn the key to the start position. The dash warning lights should turn off at this key position (most cars). If you're not sure, turn on the headlights. When you try to start the car, the lights should either dim (a lot) or turn off completely. If they do, your ignition switch should be ok. If not, the switch will need replacement.