occasional starting problems

[WildGoose02]

Hi all,

Well i read through all of the posts by others regarding starting problems on a 240sx, but found no one that had the same problems that I am seeing. I have a '94 240sx convertible with about 100k mi on it. What will happen is that often when I go to start it for the first time in a day( regardless of time of day, last time I drove it, or outside temp), it often will not start. However, if I come back a few hours later, it will start right up. What is up with that? Anyone got some suggestions or guesses as to what the problem could be? Thanks for the help.

Cort

[Phantom]

Check your altinator you may just not be getting enough juice to start up right away. Sometimes connectors will corrode or be a little loose so also check those but other than that the starter is the only other thing. Good luck and just keep looking.

[WildGoose02]

I forgot to mention that when i go to start it up, i always have power, all of the dash lights come up, radion on, etc. so i don't think it's necessarily a problem with alternator/battery type stuff, but that starter certainly could be a culprit, anyone else?

[WildGoose02]

Ok, and here's a fun new added bonus. It started today after not starting for the last three. The only difference that i can see is that today the temp. climbed above 70. Therefore it seems to not start in the mornings when it's cooler and on the colder, rainy days we've had here in DC. Are we talking connection problems here?

[s15nc]

when you say it will not start does that mean you are getting nothing, or is it turning and not catching?

[yellow_jacket]

This is generally indicative of a battery going south.

If I understand your problem correctly the car acts like the battery is low in the morning(turns over very slowly or not at all)Can you jump it in the morning? If it was the alternator it would never start.

[WildGoose02]

i hafven't tried jumping it yet, since i was getting electrical power to everything else i just assumed the battery was not to blame. As far as starting is concerned, i am getting nothing, no slow cranking or anything, just all the lights, turn the key, and nothing happens.

[yellow_jacket]

Try jumping it next time. If it starts by being jumped it is most likely your battery. If it doesn't, you have a bad connection somewhere. Cross that road when you get to it.

[wiwalsh]

Do you get a click when you try to start it or nothing at all? I had the same problem, it was my starter.

Next time it happens, take a socket wrench and tap on the side of the starter and starter solenoid. If it starts up after this, thats your culprit.

[Queamore]

Yeah if your just getting a click and you know the battery has enough power. (which shouldnt be much needed) then the starter could be your problem. I had the same problem with my lumina sometimes it wouldn't start come back the next day and it starts fine I replaced the starter and bam no more problems.

[Tweaky_Tom]

I had that same problem with my car! If it has an aftermarket alarm, it's probably the ignition dissabler from the stock alarm. This sounds dumb but manually unlock your door with your key next time and try to start it then. If that doesn't do the trick the starter tapping thing HELPS ALOT. It only works about ten times before your starter is totally burned out which leads to a fun festivity of flintstone starting (pushing!). Starters are pretty cheep and VERY Easy to install. Just get a 240sx repair manual ($15-$17 bucks- WELL WORTH IT) and do it yerself. Install time IF ENGINE IS COOL is about a half hour. Shout at me if ya got anymore Q's, [email protected] <<<Tom>>>