Uncooperative Starter

[Felipe]

thats what i use.

[Felipe]

no picture for me...

[94_240sx]

within the last month i started having the clicking issue come back, and today my new ignition switch came in UPS from courtesy nissan. installed it pretty quick and the problem is completely fixed.

I should have mentioned it. Before we replaced the starter, we had checked ignition switch, battery, all the cables and contacts and all of them were good. Glad that you fixed it.

[94_240sx]

I wonder if you can just replace this part. This thing gets turned by the key.

How did you remove old cylinder? Mine has a little play, so I want to tighten it, but can't find bolts or nuts.

[jamesblonde82]

I wonder if you can just replace this part. This thing gets turned by the key.

How did you remove old cylinder? Mine has a little play, so I want to tighten it, but can't find bolts or nuts.

first question: yes i could have just replaced that part (ignition switch) but courtesy nissan said for the automatic you have to purchase the locking mechanism too. didn't sound right to me, however i could wiggle my key in the ignition of the old lock mechanism. so i sprung for the whole thing.

second question: they are break-off bolts, two of them on the bottom. on the new ones i left the heads on in case i need to fix it again later. wish i took pics of them to show you.... but how i took out the old bolts was i drilled holes in the bolts, and then i have these fantastic reverse drill bit looking things that u can use to back out stripped bolts, screws, and what not. worked like a charm. you'll see what im talking about if you take off the column covers. its on the bottom. hope thats what you were asking.....

[94_240sx]

however i could wiggle my key in the ignition of the old lock mechanism. so i sprung for the whole thing.

Well, sounds like you made a good decision. I would have done the same thing if mine was that way.

second question: they are break-off bolts, two of them on the bottom. on the new ones i left the heads on in case i need to fix it again later. wish i took pics of them to show you.... but how i took out the old bolts was i drilled holes in the bolts, and then i have these fantastic reverse drill bit looking things that u can use to back out stripped bolts, screws, and what not. worked like a charm. you'll see what im talking about if you take off the column covers. its on the bottom. hope thats what you were asking.....

I didn't know it was that complicated. I'll just leave it alone then. Thanks for the info.

[jamesblonde82]

I didn't know it was that complicated. I'll just leave it alone then. Thanks for the info.

oh no, its actually pretty easy. but you just have to have those reverse looking drill bits. the bolts are easy to get to once you unplug all the harnesses. had the new one on in no time. so don't be afraid if that lil project. getting the newer style keys was awesome too

[94_240sx]

oh no, its actually pretty easy. but you just have to have those reverse looking drill bits. the bolts are easy to get to once you unplug all the harnesses. had the new one on in no time. so don't be afraid if that lil project. getting the newer style keys was awesome too

Whole cylinder moves because there's some slack. I was trying to tighten it, so it won't move. What do you mean by newer style key? I'd like to see.

[240DrpTop]

Well i replaced my starter with a much more expensive Nissan starter... and well that wasn't the problem. (i have a perfectly good auto parts store starter for sale now) within the last month i started having the clicking issue come back, and today my new ignition switch came in UPS from courtesy nissan. installed it pretty quick and the problem is completely fixed. took a little longer for me because i had some alarm wires to resplice. starts right up like it should. and the nissan starter is much quieter. here is the part number for the lock/switch 48700-S13001.......and picture of the old one.

Good job Jamesblonde. I think I,ll try that in mine this weekend.It would be great to see it work on a few more vehicles. It sure would be nice to finally put this thing to rest.Way to hang in there. And thanks.
Modified by 240DrpTop at 9:42 AM 7/27/2008

[jamesblonde82]

Whole cylinder moves because there's some slack. I was trying to tighten it, so it won't move. What do you mean by newer style key? I'd like to see.

maybe you can remove the bolts the way i did, and dremel some slots in the bolt heads so you can use a screwdriver with it? or order new bolts and leave the break-off heads attached... thats what i did with my new bolts on the new lock/switch. here's a picture of the new key on the left, with the old style key on the right. new key is more rubbery feeling and thicker.

[240DrpTop]

Here is the one I used. $57.18 Ign.switch w/out key set. Easy install,about an hour.http://www.courtesyparts.com/b....html No more clicking. Not even one! Thanks to every one who has helped work on this problem. Very much appreciated!
Modified by 240DrpTop at 4:19 PM 8/3/2008

[94_240sx]

Here is the one I used. $57.18 Ign.switch w/out key set. Easy install,about an hour.

Looks like this problem comes down to these.

- Battery, cables and wires- Starter itself- Ignition switch

Here's how to replace ignition switch.

1. Remove driver's side scuff plate(4-5 plastic screws)2. Remove foot rest(3 10mm bolts)3. Remove kick panel/fuse box cover(2 10mm bolts)4. Remove knee cover/panel(5-6 10mm bolts)5. Remove top and bottom steering column covers(4 screws)6. Remove small screw that holds the ignition key(1 screw)7. Unplug ignition switch(You might have to cut a zip tie)

If you don't go through above steps, you will most likely break the piece on #4 cover. You can drop the steering column by removing 2 12mm nuts to have more space.

That's about it.

[jamesblonde82]

case closed..... finally! hope this helps anyone else who has this elusive clicking issue. i guess nissan just made weak switches for them.

[youngun21a]

I had a proablem with my starter even that it check out good on all three auto parts,oreily,advance auto,autozone,they all check out good.and my car would not turn on.so I went to buy a new one and bam first time it turn on.

[94_240sx]

I had a proablem with my starter even that it check out good on all three auto parts,oreily,advance auto,autozone,they all check out good.and my car would not turn on.so I went to buy a new one and bam first time it turn on.

Yeah, basically, I had same experience. The new starter we got for my buddy's car was good on test bench, but it wouldn't work on the car. Autozone was kind enough to swap it with another one. I think some remanufactured starters are not strong and good.

[ADF932]

I have a similar problem with my SOHC 240. I relpaced my starter two weeks back because sometimes it wouldnt turn over what so ever and other days it would start up fine. Well now its doing the same problem with the new starter. When I turn the key I only hear one click but theres no turning over. The battery is still good , I checked it with a multimeter. Any suggestions?

[240DrpTop]

Here is the one I used. $57.18 Ign.switch w/out key set. Easy install,about an hour.http://www.courtesyparts.com/b....html No more clicking. Not even one! Thanks to every one who has helped work on this problem. Very much appreciated!

Modified by 240DrpTop at 4:19 PM 8/3/2008

Sure, If all your cable connections are clean and tight,and you have a good battery and charging system is in order,I would replace the ignition switch.Follow the link(above).I replaced mine a month ago and have no more issues. You could try repairing your ignition switch yourself,it's a very simple switch and not difficult to take apart. I'll post some pics.

Modified by 240DrpTop at 7:49 PM 8/28/2008

Modified by 240DrpTop at 10:31 PM 8/28/2008
Modified by 240DrpTop at 10:32 PM 8/28/2008

[240DrpTop]

Pics of ignition switch workings.





Pry the three crimped sections loose with a small screwdriver,and remove the cover. I would clean the contacts,and maybe stretch the spring just a tad to get better contact. re-assemble and test. Good luck.

[ADF932]

Thanks for the info 240Drptop. I'll keep an update on my situation.

[SteveDavis58]

sorry for the e-mail adf, i jumped the gun.......very good thread, by the way!.......thanksSteve

[240vert93]

Well just to add to this discussion, the ignition switch is a bit more of an extreme problem. When I had this problem ages ago I found out it was because the battery terminals tend to oval out over time (removals, reinstallations, etc..) All I had to do was take a nice thick set of pliers and round em out. No probs for 2+ years now.

[SteveDavis58]

a small difference w/ mine....i don't even have a clicking, and trying to jump start it, ptoduced no results. my car sat on a sheriffs office parking lot 6 months before i bought it off e-bay from plano {dallas} police department. before this total failure, on several ocassions i had to turn the key 2 or 3 times to make it work. Now, absolute nothin.Steve