Uncooperative Starter

[240DrpTop]

Can anyone can shed some light? I've had my 240sx Vert for 6 mths.now.My starter sounds like it dose not mesh with the fly wheel correctly.I mean to say,It wont engage. Here's the senerio. 1st sign of problem.8 times out of ten ,would start fine.Two times just a loud click.So,I decided to replace the starter.Installed rebuilt starter and whala,It was worse.Seems this starter was defective.Back to the store.Back under the car for the third time.Now,this is starting getting old.This time a rebuilt NAPN starter.Now it seems to be a little better but still not right.I also removed the plug in typeselinoid wire and replaced it with a solderd connection,just to make sure I have a good conection.Checked all battery connections,they seem to be OK.I still need to check to make sure I have the proper voltage going to the starter. If any of you have replaced your starters,I'm sure you will agree,not the way you want to spend a Sunday afternoon. Any one expierance the same.Thanks in advance for your help.

[ishkabibble]

I have the same problem - sometimes starts fine, sometimes the solenoid just clicks. I've already replaced the starter, the relay, battery terminal clamps, and checked fuses. Going to try cleaning off the ground next.

The starter is a pain to get out the first time, but gets easier once you figure out how to get the top bolt off.

[240DrpTop]

Heard that.The first time I think it took about 1.5hrs.That top bolt is somthing else. Now I have It down to about 20 min. Still not enjoyable.Sorry to here that you have the same problem. I'm wondering if a better body ground could be the answer?I'm going to check the voltage at the starter.Thanks for the reply.

[krash]

i got lucky with a new OEM Nissan starter from auto zone and it still wouldnt work.... sometimes if it clicks and you hold the key there it will start.

[cmkelly]

I had the same problem nearly two years ago, I had a mechanic replace the starter with another one - probably rebuilt - and have not had a problem since. It started out with the same symptoms as you described.

I wish you luck.

[jamesblonde82]

my car does the same thing. new starter, it got worse. i just ordered a new set of battery cables from nissan that cost me 200 bucks. the ones at napa were no good IMO. so im hoping after this, it will be good....if not im totally stumped.

[Felipe]

starter clicks 30 time till start.... then it just dies and no more clicks... so it got replaced with a new one from kragen....

shazam! what do know... half of the time it clicks, but it starts on the 5th click or so. give or take a few. ehhh i can live with it.

[jamesblonde82]

i was living with it too it wasnt bugging me much....but then it got worse and i was clicking for 20 mins or so b4 it would start up. that would be helluva situation in an emergency.

[Felipe]

i was living with it too it wasnt bugging me much....but then it got worse and i was clicking for 20 mins or so b4 it would start up. that would be helluva situation in an emergency.

that was me witht the first starter 20 min. after work sitting in the parking lot.

"you need a jump?"

"nahh its ok im just listening to some music before i go... " " fvcken starter"

[krash]

as you walk on the sidewalk you get a call on your cell phone: "come quick! i need some help fast! Some people are chasing me in a car, im on foot! im right around the corner!" You think, "I can pick you up in my vert!" you run to your car with your female sidekick . you smoothly jump the door on the vert (the top is down) and land comfortably in the drivers seat, you female sidekick does the same. you put the key in the ignition AND.... click...click...click....click...click...click... your female sidekick opens the door, gets out the car, gives you a look of pity, and walks away. your friend gets captured by a bunch of ricers in a "Type R toyota".

[240DrpTop]

Thats too funny Drift.Glad to see that your down to about 5 clicks.Seems like many of us are having the same prob. This is going to turn into a matter of principle.Not an expensive one I hope.

[Felipe]

as you walk on the sidewalk you get a call on your cell phone: "come quick! i need some help fast! Some people are chasing me in a car, im on foot! im right around the corner!" You think, "I can pick you up in my vert!" you run to your car with your female sidekick . you smoothly jump the door on the vert (the top is down) and land comfortably in the drivers seat, you female sidekick does the same. you put the key in the ignition AND.... click...click...click....click...click...click... your female sidekick opens the door, gets out the car, gives you a look of pity, and walks away. your friend gets captured by a bunch of ricers in a "Type R toyota".

Hand crank that sun of a witch! FTW!

[bakgwailo]

Anyone try the ignition coil?

[jamesblonde82]

do the ignition coils have anything to do with the starter? maybe you mean the selenoid...which comes with a new starter, so that's not it.

[krash]

Hand crank that sun of a witch! FTW!

HAHA! thats priceless....

[240DrpTop]

Hey guy's, Thanks for all your input,and the humor. Never hurts to lighten the situation a bit. Did connect a new body ground.Seems like things improved some,but still not right.Down to about 2 clicks out of ten.Maybe the ticket is a new Nissan original equipment part. I called for a price about 2 months back,If I remember correct it was double the cost,close to 400.00.I'll keep you posted if somthing good happens.

[krash]

try this: put the key in and turn it all the way, if it clicks, still hold it there and it will start. thats what mine has been doing latley. it should sound like, CLICK......vroom. tell me if it works.

[jamesblonde82]

ok i just picked up my new cables today from nissan. it was $193.45 for both. i went ahead and got the original parts due to all the harnesses involved. (thats why they are so much) i also noticed that the neg cable on our cars connects to both the battery holder, and the intake. where it was connected to the battery holder was where all the corrosion damage was....so after a new starter, and new cables i hope this does it. wish me luck!

[ishkabibble]

I hope the neg cable wasn't too expensive.

[jamesblonde82]

neg was $62.63 pos was $118.16

[bakgwailo]

do the ignition coils have anything to do with the starter? maybe you mean the selenoid...which comes with a new starter, so that's not it.

http://www.nicoclub.com/articles.php?id=160219

http://www.240sx.org/faq/artic...d.htm

For hard starting (hot and cold) the FSM recommends checking the ignition coil..... maybe I am misunderstanding?

neg was $62.63 pos was $118.16

For the negative cable you could just get some 4 gauge or lower wire from home depot and some ring terminals, maybe, 10-12 bucks? Also, for better grounding, add replace the braded wire in the back left of the engine that grounds engine -> firewall with 4 or lower gauge wire, too. Also adding more grounds from the engine -> chassis might help.

[jamesblonde82]

yea i think you are misunderstanding....it's not a hot or cold start problem, its all in the starter just clicking....the articles you linked to refer to cranking over and not starting.

as far as the neg cable i could have gotten away without spending 60 bucks, but it was designed for the car so what the heck. and i might add some more grounds like you said for extra measure. i think the problem lied in the corroded connection to the battery holder. we'll see, i dont have time to work on it until thursday.

[Felipe]

just dont beat your self up if that dosent fix it.

[ishkabibble]

as far as the neg cable i could have gotten away without spending 60 bucks, but it was designed for the car so what the heck.

You can get a "made for the car" one from rockauto for $15. I gotta check the condition of the terminal in the middle of that cable on my car. Hopefully, I can wire brush it rather than replace it.

[jamesblonde82]

You can get a "made for the car" one from rockauto for $15.

ahh no don't tell me that...do you have a link to it? its not on the car yet, so i can take it back.

[ishkabibble]

ahh no don't tell me that...do you have a link to it? its not on the car yet, so i can take it back.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalo...up,18

The $13.58 one... it's "direct fit" (click on "more info" to see a pic of it). I don't think they have a positive one, though.

Always check rockauto before going to the dealer or local parts store

[240_ESEX]

try this: put the key in and turn it all the way, if it clicks, still hold it there and it will start. thats what mine has been doing latley. it should sound like, CLICK......vroom. tell me if it works.

Nah i've tried that and it didn't work for me, but mine's wierd. I've got remote start and every morning I start it to let it warm up, starts on the first try. Everywhere else, like school, work, store... I'll remote start, and if i'm lucky it'll be on if not I get to the car click it a few times then finally vromm. I can't figure out the problem either on it I just live with it.

[jamesblonde82]

yea that looks like the exact some neg cable i got. the pos one has tons of harnesses jumping off it, im going to see if only replacing the neg will work....might be able to spend the money on something else for my precious..lol

[jamesblonde82]

ok i put on the new neg cable....found a new place to ground the inline ground...and that is a bolt that holds the fusebox onto the fender...it's close by the battery so it works, and i didn't have to drill a new hole. also for future corrosion/oxidation reasons i put on some dilectric compound to stop that from happening. so far with just the neg replaced...no clicks. im going to give it a few days before i take the pos cable back though. this might be a good idea for all you clickers out there!

[ishkabibble]

cool. I hope it stays that way.

I'll try to fix mine this weekend.