starting problems

[herranton]

I am having a problem with starting my 240sx with a redtop sr20det. when you turn the key it makes a clicking noise like the starter is popping the gear out but then it stops. the engine does not try to turn over and the starter does nothing. The starter was just rebuilt and I saw it work with my own eyes. When the key is in the start position there is between 9 - 10 volts going to the tab on the solenoid(see #2 on pic) and no power to the power cable on the bolt. When the key is in the run position there is 12 volts going to the power cable (attached to the bolt)(#1 behind #2) and no power to the tab. Is this what is supposed to happin? Any ideas? I'd like to get it running as soon as possible(obviously). :help Thank you for your time.

[BaliLover]

Check the clutch safety switch, its an electrical push button that the clutch pedal pushes to complete the circuit. The problem is Nissan uses a plastic bushing to push the button, and this bushing rots out and you no longer make contact with the switch, with prevents you from starting the car.

You can either splice the 2 wires together and eliminate the switch, or you can find a nut and bolt to put in the hole to make the contact. This is a problem I've seen on no less than 8 Nissans in my life, and its pretty common. I think the brake lights are the same way, and they've been using this design since at least the early 80s.

[Scott McLellan]

dead battery. jump start it. won't even get power if the clutch safety switch isn't pushed.

[herranton]

When the swap was done some of the wiring was a bit, well, it is a mess. The car is fast as hell though. I finally traced the problem to the ground. I added a length of heavy duty speaker wire from one of the transmission bolts to the engine ground and the car fired right up. it actually starts better now than it did before. thank you both for your replies.