weird starting issue.

[theother1wstolen]

ok, so my car has been giving me this weird starting issue, and it seems to be getting worse, i can hear the starter solenoid engage but thats it, usually, today it tried starting but it sounded like it had no power, hooked it up to the battery charger and it started immediately (didnt even let it charge), however this problem is completely random, sometimes it will start just fine, other times it will just click, and now today, it sounded like it was dragging. heres the kicker, ive got a brand new starter, and brand spankin new duralast gold battery. any ideas as to what could be causing it?

[theother1wstolen]

-bump- anyone?

[rotorimp]

Could be your cables. Do a votage drop check.

[theother1wstolen]

by voltage drop test do you mean keep a volt meter and see if the voltage drops when it wont start, because if so it does, only like i said, the problem is intermittent.

[vancouverbc]

Does the car start every time you recharge battery or jump start car?Maybe battery cables are loose or your alternator is shot. Why do you have a new battery and starter? Is the alternator belt tight?

[theother1wstolen]

not sure if it starts every time i jump it because it usually starts on its own after a few tries, and i have a new battery and starter because, i thought the starter had a bad spot on it, then i checked my battery and the voltage was dropping badly on it when trying to start it, so figured it was a bad cell, now its still doing it tho. so -shrug- not sure, and yes all the belts are tight. the cables i believe are fine, however the other day i tested the voltage with the car running and it was at 13.5, and today it was at 12.5, so i was wondering if it was possible for the voltage regulator in the alternator to be fading in and out?

[boriquaS13]

Sounds like your starter soleniod is going bad.

Replace your starter.

[theother1wstolen]

starter is a week old.

[vancouverbc]

Try jump starting it to see if it starts easier with the extra battery boost.A weak battery caused by whatever would be the first suspect. The starter is just a small motor connected to a battery. Not alot can go wrong.

[mbsmith8684]

if it just clicks and does nothing, and you keep trying and it starts - you bought a junk starter, because the bendix is jamming and not spinning or popping out. If it cranks slow, your batt. don't have enough power or the power isn't reaching the starter because of bad cables, or a bad ground. plenty of things to take into consideration.

-Matt

[theother1wstolen]

it usually clicks and thats it, then when it does decide to crank up, it starts up just fine, doesnt drag or anything, except yesterday it dragged (i may have drained the battery the night before however), so should i consider the fact that my new starter is crap?

[mbsmith8684]

Most likely the starter is crap, I have seen cheap starters in a couple of my customers cars do the same thing yours is doing. Definitely look into that.

[theother1wstolen]

any way to bench test a starter?

[vancouverbc]

What were the symptoms before you replaced the starter and battery?Its quite common with 240sx's for the parts store to give you the wrong starter.

You can hook the starter up directly to battery if you want to test it.Only leave on for few second. They burn out easily.

[theother1wstolen]

the symptoms were the same as they are presently

[vancouverbc]

The guy who mentioned voltage drop test, i think, meant testing the cables with engine off. there should be zero voltage measured

another test:disconnect the connector near starter. this is the black yellow wire coming from ignition switch. the black yellow wire delivers 12v+ when you turn key to start. you can connect this directly to 12v+(at battery) for few seconds to see if the interlock relay, switch, and wiring in that area is ok.

you can also test the black yellow wire when the key is turned to start to see what voltage is being delivered to starter. one probe stuck in incoming connector and one probe on ground. should be battery voltage.(12v+)

Alternator test using volt meter:

1.turn headlights on for 15-20 seconds to remove surface charge2.measure voltage across battery when engine off3.turn off all electrical loads ie wiper ,etc4.start engine and increase speed to 1500 rpm5.measure voltage across battery with engine steady at 1500 rpm

the voltage reading should be at least .5 volt higher with engine running. if voltage goes up more than 2.5 volts, alternator overcharging.

You can also test with engine running with lights on at 2000 rpm. the voltage should increase at least .5 volts

You mentioned a reading of 12.5 volts while engine was running which sounds marginal. a good battery should read 12.5 volts with engine off.