Possible starter, definitely not the battery!

[ddgsxr504]

Ok I searched and didn't really get a clear answer. I was on my way to work and since we are having a big inspection next week we have to work today (Saturday). I stopped by the gorcery store to grab my guys some breakfast since I take care of my guys (supervisor/military) and when I came out to the car it won't start. At first I thought it might be a fuse so I checked and one of them was blown, it is marked in red in my uber tyte paintshop diagram. Low and behold the car still won't start. So I though it might be the clutch interlock so I bypassed the clutch interlock switch and it still won't start. I removed the kick panel completely and now all that happens when you turn the key is one of the fuse relays click (brown one). All my $hit is good, alternator/optima red top batt/ starter cuz it started fine like 10min prior at my house. I have never had probs with the starter and I have owned the car for almost 7 years. Do they just crap out like that or what? I am at work and don't have my FSM or Haynes with me but hopefully you guys can point me in the right direction so when I get back to my car (albertson's parking lot) I will have a good idea where to start. I am bringing a multimeter with me to check a few things.
Modified by ddgsxr504 at 6:30 PM 7/15/2006

[benemorius]

Did you check the new fuse after you put it in to make sure it didn't blow also? Do you get any clicking from under the hood? You may need to have someone turn the key while you go up front and listen. I don't have an s14 wiring diagram handy so I really can't give you any exact causes for the fuse to have blown.

[ddgsxr504]

Ill have to check that and see if there are any sounds from under the hood. From all the threads I searched in the archives they all say it's the battery or the starter. I just got off work so I will go diggin thru the FSM. I have a multi meter but I am dumb cuz I know jack about wiring. I can read a diagram and I can do all kinds of mechanical $hit but when it comes to ohms and volts and amps I am like . If the FSM tells me how to use the multimeter then I will be ok I think. The only thing that sucks is if IS the starter I had to work and now it is too late to get one from the dealer since they are closed now and don't open until Monday. Oh I edited the picture cuz It's the 3rd relay down not the 4th one. I briefly scanned the FSM and the 4th one (brown) is the rear defroster lol. THe 3rd one is the #2 ignition relay. The 1st is the #1 ignition relay, I forget what the #2 is. Damn I talk alot. lol

[benemorius]

The tests with the multimeter are pretty simple in this case. In fact, they're so simple that the fsm isn't going to give specific details on it.

Anyway, if you can locate all the sources of any clicking you hear under the hood as the key is turned to start you can minimize any other testing, which is why I asked. Obviously you need to configm that the batter is good before doing anything. Just because it seemed ok one minute doesn't mean was ok when you went back out to start it. That's actually exactly how it happens when your alternator goes out.

For the time being, just be sure you always park on a hill so you can roll start it. Otherwise grab a friend or two to help push start.

[ddgsxr504]

Well for the record I know the battery is good, I tested it anyway and with the ignition at the on position I got a 12.28 reading on the battery. All ignition relays are good.

Anyway I found out what it was..... damn starter solenoid was stuck. Couple taps with a cresent wrench freed it up. Guess it's off to the dealer to get a new one Monday. Thanks for the help guys!

[benemorius]

Try Midway Nissan. Almost guaranteed to be cheaper than your local dealer.

[TheOne]

yes, starters can suddenly die out of nowhere, happened to me when i went to a gas station near my house. starter ran fine just before that, stopped @ the gas station and well, after that the starter didn't click anymore, battery was good though, i got some ambulance guys to help me push start it(not only do they save lives, but the day too, right after they helped they had to run for a emergency call)

i got home, took out the starter and it smelled like it burnt off.....luckily i somehow had a spare starter around.

[gr8bryt]

yes, starters can suddenly die out of nowhere, happened to me when i went to a gas station near my house. starter ran fine just before that, stopped @ the gas station and well, after that the starter didn't click anymore, battery was good though.

The same thing happened to me, it was working great with no prior symptoms and then just like that it died. I couldn't understand wtf was going on, I had just driven the car around the block and before that I drove it from Macon, GA to Columbia, SC. Anyway, I just took mine off today and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. 3 bolts through the transmission, one nut that secures the positive post, and a quick disconnect plug for the negative. I've heard that sometimes the contacts just need to be cleaned and you're good to go. I hope that's the case for me cause I don't have a spare starter lying around anywhere. lol.

[vancouverbc]

start system for 1995 240sx. the fuse in the diagram is number 25. i assume it would be second from last in the left column of fuse block.

The blue relay not labeled is accessory.(1995 240sx)

Modified by vancouverbc at 6:33 PM 7/16/2006
Modified by vancouverbc at 6:38 PM 7/16/2006

[vancouverbc]

i assume the fuse block is ordered this way?