Observations after the first few days of buying a 98 240sx

[TurDz]

Here are the things I've noticed:

I have an SE, and even though it's stock suspension, it is worlds different from my 96 Maxima SE 5-speed, with a smoother shifter (closer gates though), a softer clutch pedal, and nice handling. I can really feel how stiff the rear is over some hard bumps.

Anyway, here are some probs:

It seems the car really vibrates and jolts for about 1.5 seconds as I crank the car for startup. Is this normal? Compared to my Maxima, it is very shakey and it resembles the feeling of almost stalling. If it is not normal, what could the problem be? The starter?

Secondly, there are a few interior panels I want to replace due to normal wear and scratches. Anyone know the best place to get them?

Lastly, is there a way to check if I have a remote trunk open option? It was listed as a standard part for the SE and it was even on the original sticker, but the previous owner installed a simple viper alarm. I wonder if I can program it into my remote.

Anyway, thanks for any help. I'm glad to be here finally.

[Camel]

The shaking doesn't sound right. I have a 98 that is smooth as glass starting up on a stock KA. Does it idle well after that?

Mine didn't come with a trunk pop option, so i got an actuator and hooked it up to the ext on my alarm via a relay. Any reputable alarm/audio shop should be able to do this for you for under fifty bucks. If memory serves me correctly, your alarm has a second channel/ext that you can hook it up to no problem.

And the best looking panels with no wear on them are going to be straight from Nissan. Not cheap though. Only problem with having a 97-98 is there are not many that have been clobbered and are sitting in junkyards ready to part out.

C

[K240]

My brothers 93 s13 hb shakes as you start it. the engine shakes as you start it causing the car to vibrate. it is no problem from what i know of.

[deftdrummer]

my 95SE shakes quite a bit too. I have 201,000 original miles keep in mind, but it shakes the same it did when it had 170,000 miles. I think it has to do with it being a truck engine. whens the last 90's truck you started that didn't shake a bit?? Besides, my ex girlfriend's shakes and hers is a 95 base with 110,000 miles. It used to bother me quite a bit so i changed the starter, battery, and spark plugs and its still the same. Don't worry about it.

[dareo]

Quite the shaking goes down with both my 240sxs. Your starting the engine man, starting the brutish KA24 truck motor. Its not known for being silky smooth, or high revving. its known for its torque, and lack of smoothness. and for my years, the fudgin lifter noises.

[BadMojo]

The shaking doesn't sound right. I have a 98 that is smooth as glass starting up on a stock KA. Does it idle well after that?

I'm curious to hear a bit more about this. My car is a '93 with approx. 98K miles on it, and though it doesn't have the smoothest idle I've ever felt, it doesn't shake as badly as yours does (from the description).

Where does your car idle? I believe a normal idle is in the neighborhood of 700-800 RPM's, but I'd have to check my FSM to be 100% sure - could be a slightly wider range. Mine idles at about 750.

[TurDz]

The idle is fine, rises to around 1k with A/C on, but slightly bogs right after I turn off the A/C, and then recovers again.

Hmm...I'm very interested to hear more feedback on startup with, especially with the newer 240's. Mine shakes quite a bit but for less than two seconds. What could my problem be?

[TurDz]

Btw, my car only has 50k miles on it. Could it be the starter has gone bad?

[4felix20]

all sorts of parts here:http://www.everythingnissan.com/

[TurDz]

Hi I would still appreciate it if someone could tell me if I have a problem with the starter. Today after posting I started the car agian, and it wasn't as bad as I thought, but the car did still shake notiably.

[gabossie]

From what you describe, it doesn't sound like a starter problem. What it may be, as is the problem with my car, is that one of the motor mounts is toast so the engine torques alot more to the side than it should. It could cause long term problems, but it hasn't with mine yet and it's been like that for over a year.

[TurDz]

The car has 50k miles and has been garaged daily at night. It is in very good condition...do motor mounts go out this soon?

[rco8786]

my 95SE shakes quite a bit too. I have 201,000 original miles keep in mind, but it shakes the same it did when it had 170,000 miles. I think it has to do with it being a truck engine. whens the last 90's truck you started that didn't shake a bit?? Besides, my ex girlfriend's shakes and hers is a 95 base with 110,000 miles. It used to bother me quite a bit so i changed the starter, battery, and spark plugs and its still the same. Don't worry about it.

An engine is an engine, there is no such thing as a "truck engine". My friend's 89 shook pretty bad on startup but the reason was all but one of his engine mounts were cracked. It is probably just some sort of idle control sensor or something and if it only does it on startup I wouldnt worry too much about it.

[Camel]

I think the motor mounts should be checked. Maybe there was a bad weld or something that came loose. Did it do this when you bought it?

[Nissan-S14]

Here are the things I've noticed:

It seems the car really vibrates and jolts for about 1.5 seconds as I crank the car for startup. Is this normal? Compared to my Maxima, it is very shakey and it resembles the feeling of almost stalling. If it is not normal, what could the problem be? The starter?

Anyway, thanks for any help. I'm glad to be here finally.

I work in an auto shop. I have the same problem, we trying to see if it is indeed a problem, but could not find anything wrong with it at all. My soon to be father in law. who is the owner of the shop, worked with cars for over 30 years, he said its completly fine, he said the reason for this , is that because the engine doesnt have 10K miles on it, as engines get older thats what happens, but its nothing wrong and nothing you need to worry about.

[TurDz]

Thanks a lot for the info. Even though there may not be a problem, it still doesn't seem normal or satisfactory to me, so I'll be on the lookout for any more information.

[Sliding_S14]

I have yet to be in a 240 that dosent have a light shake on start up. should just be your motor kicking over, if you notice while your under the hood and give it a rev you'll have a slight motor roll. like it was mentioned before the 240 is not known for any real smoothness... but more of a torqy s.o.b. sorry if none of this helps but just figured id throw in 2cents.

[TurDz]

No, it's cool, any input is helpful. It's good to get a general consensus.

[RobDET]

Open the hood... get in the car and start it while watching the motor (you can see it through the small gap between the hood and the car when the hood is raised). The motor will move quite a bit. As long as it seems to come back to the center immediately after you stop holding the key in the "start" position you will be fine. Also give it a little gas and observe it's behaviour. I will move but you just want to be sure it moves about the same all the time. Otherwise your mouts *Could* be screwed up

[RobDET]

new spark plugs will probibly help your idle dropping after the AC is off issue...

[TurDz]

thanks Rob. The car was serviced at 30k miles and it's now 50k. A tune up (including spark plugs) will be done very soon.

[RobDET]

sweet...