Weird Starting Problem on 1995 240sx

[twistedsymphony]

I recently purchased a base model 1995 240sx with an auto trans

The car had been sitting for almost a year when I took it for a test drive it wouldn't start right away.

I would put the key in turn it and I could hear the relay click, and the dash lights dim but nothing else... after waiting about 30 seconds I could turn the key and the car would start normal... the battery seemed strong as it turned over fast and without hesitation.

The car was maybe started 2 or 3 times when I went to look at it and it did that every single time. It's almost like the car's computer prevented it from starting for a few seconds when the key was first entered.

I trailered it home and when I went to drive it off the trailer it wouldn't start at all. Same situation where I could hear the relays in the dash clicking, the interior lights would dim but that's it.

I popped the hood, nothing was touched and I tried again and it fired right up.

it sat for a few days in my garage, I went to start it and it wouldn't start again... tried for 5 minutes and gave up.

Another day went by and I went out to try it last night and without touching anything else it fired up first try.

The previous owner replaced the alternator last year and it looks new. I assume the battery is good because if it wasn't it wouldn't start at all right? and if it was weak I would imagine the engine would turn over sluggishly... which it doesn't.

This leads me to believe it's either a wiring issue/grounding issue, or maybe a problem with one of the transmission sensors that makes it think it's not in park?

I was going to try seeing if there are any auto trans codes using this thread: zer...age=1 but I have no idea if that would tell me if there is a bung sensor.

Any idea how/where I can check the sensors or grounding?

Any help would be appreciated.

[vancouverbc]

Try jump starting with good battery.

[twistedsymphony]

I charged the battery, and confirmed it's holding a charge... same results

tried jump starting and I get the same results.

Any ideas?

[vancouverbc]

Have you tried hitting your starter motor or solenoid? If its the original starter, its reaching the end of its life. Hitting it should get it working .You should get a cheap multimeter and check to see if ignition wire is deliverng 12v when you turn key.

check that your battery cables are tight.

look in my tutoral link in my signature for starter. the 1991 has a lot of similarities to 95.

zerothread?id=249966

[twistedsymphony]

thanks for the info, I'll check that out

[ShaunakaRichard]

If your lights are dimming when you turn the key to the start position and the starter does nothing, then most likely your starter's days are numbered. Since the light are dimming, their is a draw on the system, and since you can hear the relay engaging and nothing is happening it sounds like your starter is shorting out. So most likely, buy a new starter.