Not Starting

[candyredtd]

Hey everyone, having trouble with my CA18DET starting.

It was running fine since I converted the motor started up and ran, one morning went to turn her over and she went to kick over but sounded like a flat battery.

I replaced the battery gave her a few kicks and the new battery sounded drained as well. I checked the volts on the battery and its at 12 volts not started and while cranking it drops down to like 8 volts.

I have checked and rechecked all my wiring and everything seems okay like my earth connection and all other relays fuses etc. The other thing I noticed is while cranking the ECU lights go off so it does not seem to be enough volts to get her to crank.

I have a jump start pack that I use and I can get her to crank but she is not firing I think becase there is not enough vaults to power the ECU. Also the jump start pack tells something is drawing to much current and only lasts a couple of goes.

Any one have any suggestions? I have been told by a couple of people it could be the starter motor shorting out internally?

[Trigger]

yeah would be my first thought...i would pull the starter and have it checked out. If im not mistaking the starter is the only thing on your car that can drain a battery that fast so pull it and get it tested

Tim

[candyredtd]

I put a brand new starter in today and I get the same results

I cant believe it, one minute she is cranking over fine now nothing.

Any one else have any other suggestions?

[CaEric]

dude check the plug that goes to the starer make shre the wire is in the connector all the way..i had the same problem when i did my swap

[candyredtd]

Yer everything is connected fine not loose anyway have checked and double checked.

It seems as though something is drawing the current at start and hence causing the drain.

Some one has now suggested this could be the alternator bushes but I am not sure if this will cuase such a current drop.

I would have thought the alternator should let the car start and then just not recharge not draining so much current it wont even start?

What do you guys think?

[89'ClubK's]

Possibly another bad starter. Where did you buy it? alot of starters at autoparts stores are "refurbished". I bought a couple starters for different vehicles, and they didn't work. It happens quite often. Have it tested, and get your money back, or another starter. AutoZone is Sh#t! go to NAPA. Good Luck!

[candyredtd]

I got it from an auto sparky refurbished.

what do you think about the alternator?

[89'ClubK's]

Replace both. Both can be "new" refurbished. Luck of the draw. Good Luck!

[driftin8ez]

why dont you try and pop start it? See if it will run that way. That would sure norrow down your starter issue. Also you could try towing the car if you cant get it pop started.

[Trigger]

just unhook the power to the alty and see if she cranks. if so then its the alty and get a new one if not let us know and we will think some more

Tim

[candyredtd]

Tried to start her with the alternator disconnected and same result.

Turn the key and she drops from about 12.2 volts to anywhere between 5,6 and 8 volts. As soon as you stop cranking she pope straight back to 12.2 ro so volts.

Its got me stumped.

Only thing I can think of is the battery is ****ed but I have tried to jump start it from a jump start pack and two different cars which both have 14 volts but nothing same volt drop.

Any one else have an idea?

I have checked all my wiring as this is the only thing left I can think off.

Damn confusing.

[Trigger]

well its only happening when you go to start the car right. does the starter click or anything when your trying to start it. if it is doing that then its a ground problem. check all your grounds. the nissan starter is picky about starting without proper ground. try that and we will think somemore

Tim

[candyredtd]

Okay I put a new battery in.

She now cranks and wants to go and does not have a massive drop in volts.

However when you turn the key the ECU lights up and has power. When you crank the engine the lights on the ecu go out.

I have tested the wire that goes from the ECU to the igntions switch with a test light and it stays light up while cranking and goes out when not cranking so that wire is okay.

What else could cause the ECU lights to go out while cranking?

[Trigger]

if im not mistaking mine do that too...i dont think thats a problem if the car is cranking and running then all should be ok

Tim

[candyredtd]

Cool, she is cranking but she aint running she is not firing up at all.

She cranks fine but no fire up.

Thats why I thought the lights going off on the ecu could be the cause?

I remember reading that some where.

If they do go out while cranking I will need to check for spark etc.

[candyredtd]

I check the compression and this is what I get in order of cylinder number and cranks.

1) 115 - 120, 150, 150, 150 (No further)2) 115 - 120, 150, 170, 170 (No further)3) 115 - 120, 150, 170, 170 (No further)4) 115 - 120, 150, 150, 150 (No further)

The only reall difference is 2 and 3 would go as high as 170 but 1 - 4 maxed out at 150.

To me this seems fine and she feels strong.

I checked everything and nothing seems to be out of the ordinary but I found one thing.

I replaced the plugs as well and I noticed the guy gave me BCPR6E where as before when she was firing I had BCPR6ES?

Not sure if that makes a difference but the only thing I can think now is the CAS may need some adjusting?

[Trigger]

yeah thats good compression..i dont even think my car goes that high