unsolved - my 240 not starting...

[jdm_lover]

the car is a 91 coupe base model...

the story before it died,

ok, well i came back from a road trip and while coming back. there would be times where id turn off the car and try to start it back up. then it would not even crank but click. but i got it to start to crank after a couple tries, but then it happends when i would stop at rest areas or gas up and it would not start on random times. i ran the car from wisconsin to cali and back to wisconsin. the car repeatedly would not start. when i turn the car off while stopping at rest areas i had to try to start the car acouple times before the car would start. i got home from the trip, and the next morning i started it up like anyother day. then i shut it off just to warm the car up because it was snowing like crazy. and then couple hours later i tried to start the car and it wouldnt start.

the thing is, i posted this on http://www.northwestnissans.com and checked the battery posts, new battery, new starter, and im thinking its the ignition but i dont know and thas what i keep hearing from my buddies that it might be my ignition.

at the on position, all the lights would turn on and radio, and everything works, and my lights as well. but when i turn the key to start the car, it just wont budge a sound but just click. it does not crack and its been garaged for a month now, and im tired of driving my gas killin truck so any solutions to this polution issue? thanks.

[Chezedik]

Modern starters act differently than most people are used to. My last 240 had a bad starter for over a year. All I had to do was bump the starter a few times and eventually it would either lock up or crank. That said, is there more to tell us, or do you just need a new starter. If you have told us everything, check the (-) , then replace the starter, if the battery and positive lead are good.

[s13sr20chris]

try whacking the starter while cranking and then try whacking the starter relay(also known as clutch interlock relay) while cranking. you can also jump the clutch interlock relay. those things are notorious for developing high resistance.

[Touchdown038]

If it clicks when you try and start it, I'm pretty sure you can rule out the clutch switch.. I think mine's going bad too and it never clicks, just nothing when you turn the key, about one out of ten times.

Definitely try giving the starter a good whack while someone else holds the key in start position, if it starts afterwards then it's definitely the starter. The fact that you still have battery voltage definitely points to the starter. Either that or you have a poor connection somewhere in the wiring, possibly corroded.

[420sxse]

Check the starter. I mean, if the ignition clicks it's delivering a signal, but the starter motor doesn't turn, the problem seems bookended to me, but I'm a mechanical newb. I have had more than my fair share of starter woes, believe me, you can buy brand new ones that are bad.

Disconnect the "M" terminal...the wire on the end of the solinoid (Smaller cylinder) that runs directly and immediately into the motor housing. There is another wire bolted into the solenoid above that which runs ultimately to the battery. Leave that connected. Disconnect the clip-on terminal with 2 pins inside. Use an ohm-meter to test continuity between two places as such: touch the negative probe to the 2-pin terminal. I don't know if it matters, but the fsm shows it being applied to the left one as the rectangular protrusion of the clip is on top. Then touch the positive probe to the metal body of the smaller cylinder (the "magnetic switch" I call it a solenoid sp?) and also the post on the solenoid that the "M" terminal you diconnected bolts to. There should exist continuity in both cases. In my situation, the unit I brought home new had a bad solenoid, they replaced the whole starter. Those pricey Original parts look better all the time.

[kill1get1free]

That is what my 240 was doing and I bought a new starter for it and the silonoid(spelling) was bad and the warranty got me a new one. So thats probably whats wrong.

[s13sr20chris]

If it clicks when you try and start it, I'm pretty sure you can rule out the clutch switch.. I think mine's going bad too and it never clicks, just nothing when you turn the key, about one out of ten times.

yup, duh...i was not reading the post very thoroughly. good catch.

[jdm_lover]

i think it is too...hahaha....well where can a get a clutch switch at? and how much are they usually priced at? do i just replace the switch with the back wire that connects to the white power wire or just the switch?

[jdm_lover]

BUMP...

ok. i got a new clutch switch and nothing...car still wont start....just a click...but its not cranking....alternater is still good...starter is goods...ignition switch im not sure but then the only thing i can come down to is wiring....but the thing is theres no short newhere...that i can find....everything is good...just wont crank.....any idea's or suggestions? please i really need help...