Starter Problem

[turbos4me]

I have read threads here and it'a all good but I have a question about starters for a 98 240sx that was not answered in the threads. I have a Mitsubishi M1T72781B and bought a replacement from Autozone that is an Hitachi model. The Mitsu has a long nose and the Hitachi a blunt nose, Autozone says it is specified as a replacement for a 98', I got it in but had to loosen the fuel line to make it seat. I just get clicks now and nothing else has changed, before I yank it and and put another in...are they compatible with that different nose?

[Infinitiguy19]

Aftermarket replacement parts should be identical to the OEM makeup and structure. Clearly this is not the case here so I think you need the correct part which is OEM only sadly. And I think the "new" starter is bad since you only hear the relay clicking so have Autozone test it for you or just get a replacement.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Have you checked the relay?

[turbos4me]

Thanks Paul, I was afraid of that so I prepared myself to go back under there and yank it out. It won't be so bad this time and I will hold out for an OEM Mistu version. I got stuck on going through your ebay parts list, on page 10 and on my way back, thanks for the tip....who knew!

[turbos4me]

I got myself in a corner with it because I had put in a push-button ignited starter about 2 years ago and I suspect that too; but yes, I have the FSM and I checked the relay, tps, fusible link, cockpit fuses and battery charge. This sucks, Paul just dropped a bomb that the starter from AutoZone is Not a match so now I have to get rid of that turkey...she don't f*&k often but when she does it leaves you dazzled!

[whyteboi]

you really gotta watch that kind of s*** from autozone and parts places like that, i once waited 4 days for a starter solenoid and it was wrong, had to wait another week for the right part and had to order it for a diff year

[Gabes13]

Some starters don't look the same i.e. Hitachi and Mitsubishi.You should be more concerned about the bolt pattern and number of teeth.Besides, the starter should have come with instructions stating the difference between the 2.

[turbos4me]

i hear that but i picked up another thread here where he had used one from Autozone and it outperfomed a more expensive one so i thought i would be okay...

[turbos4me]

you're right it did bolt up okay after i loosened the fuel line, there is an insert in the box that showed the Mitsu and Hitachi and said outright they are interchangeable....so i guess there could be something else going on...i have to get back under there to make sure i didn't do something stupid!!

[maj Andres]

I'm saying bad solenoid... get it tested. I had a mishimoto unit that didn't work in my car...took it to autozone and they said it was good. I swapped out the solenoid and it started my car. I know, weird huh?

[turbos4me]

Yeah...it still doesn't start so I am ready to yank it out and try another one. I spent this weekend going over all the ignition wiring and tested the battery, it all leads back to the starter. I found the exact model at Checkers and I think I will swap them out and see if that does it. I borrowed a friends truck for a few days and if this swap doesn't work I have to bite the bullet and rent a car. The trouble is so much is custom with the push button start and Viper alarm it defies FSM diagnosis. Thanks for the tip