Electrical issue when trying to start the car. - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

Bubba · 01-09-2008, 02:36 PM

Last week just before my ignition locked up I had an issue with the electronics in the car shutting off when I tried to turn the key,
I wasn't able to address it until now because I had to order a new ignition assembly. Now that I have that installed..... (Thanks to WestCo. Justin for the awesome price)

Here is the deal...

When I turn the key to accessory everything seems to be working fine, when I turn it to start it I hear a clicking noise and everything goes dead.
The clock turns off and all of the lights shut off like it is doing a safe-mode thing or something for about 5 minutes.

Every time I try to start the car I get the exact same reaction out of it. I have replaced all of the questionable fuses and checked everything I could think of.

Does anyone have a clue as to what could be going on with the car???
I cannot get the car out of the back yard unless I figure this out because the house is on a hill and cannot get a trailer to it unless the neighbors let me drive thru their yards with a trailer.

Any help would be absolutely fucking awesome, especially if it fixes the issue.

projectRDM · 01-09-2008, 02:45 PM

What's the voltage at the battery?

Is the starter relay engaging?

Bubba · 01-09-2008, 02:48 PM

I will check the voltage at the battery, I don't think the starter is engaging because everything goes black when I try to turn the key. Takes 5 minutes before the car gets power to the clock or dash lights after this happens.

projectRDM · 01-09-2008, 02:49 PM

Sounds like a weak battery or poor connection at the battery.

91silvia · 01-09-2008, 03:08 PM

Look into where the battery grounds to the chassis, too.

Bubba · 01-09-2008, 03:12 PM

Grounds...

I have one from the battery to the intake mani, one from block to firewall, and one from intake mani to firewall.

deesz · 01-09-2008, 03:07 PM

sounds like a bad battery check cables, if those are fine swap it out...

Bubba · 01-09-2008, 06:14 PM

Problem solved.

Thanks to everyone that commented, the battery and ignition relay were both fried.

01-09-2008, 02:36 PM	#1
Bubba Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Biloxi, MS Age: 41 Posts: 352 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Electrical issue when trying to start the car. Last week just before my ignition locked up I had an issue with the electronics in the car shutting off when I tried to turn the key, I wasn't able to address it until now because I had to order a new ignition assembly. Now that I have that installed..... (Thanks to WestCo. Justin for the awesome price) Here is the deal... When I turn the key to accessory everything seems to be working fine, when I turn it to start it I hear a clicking noise and everything goes dead. The clock turns off and all of the lights shut off like it is doing a safe-mode thing or something for about 5 minutes. Every time I try to start the car I get the exact same reaction out of it. I have replaced all of the questionable fuses and checked everything I could think of. Does anyone have a clue as to what could be going on with the car??? I cannot get the car out of the back yard unless I figure this out because the house is on a hill and cannot get a trailer to it unless the neighbors let me drive thru their yards with a trailer. Any help would be absolutely fucking awesome, especially if it fixes the issue. __________________ Good at wrenching, terrible at electrical. Lord help me... HAHAHA

01-09-2008, 02:45 PM	#2
projectRDM Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Atlanta Age: 51 Posts: 13,812 Trader Rating: (12) Feedback Score: 12 reviews	What's the voltage at the battery? Is the starter relay engaging? __________________ FORMERLY R240NA Learn what's really going on and protect your assets now before they're gone forever: www.paypalsucks.com

01-09-2008, 02:48 PM	#3
Bubba Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Biloxi, MS Age: 41 Posts: 352 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	I will check the voltage at the battery, I don't think the starter is engaging because everything goes black when I try to turn the key. Takes 5 minutes before the car gets power to the clock or dash lights after this happens. __________________ Good at wrenching, terrible at electrical. Lord help me... HAHAHA

01-09-2008, 02:49 PM	#4
projectRDM Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Atlanta Age: 51 Posts: 13,812 Trader Rating: (12) Feedback Score: 12 reviews	Sounds like a weak battery or poor connection at the battery. __________________ FORMERLY R240NA Learn what's really going on and protect your assets now before they're gone forever: www.paypalsucks.com

01-09-2008, 03:12 PM	#6
Bubba Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Biloxi, MS Age: 41 Posts: 352 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Grounds... I have one from the battery to the intake mani, one from block to firewall, and one from intake mani to firewall. __________________ Good at wrenching, terrible at electrical. Lord help me... HAHAHA

01-09-2008, 03:08 PM	#5
91silvia Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: indianapolis, IN Posts: 38 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Look into where the battery grounds to the chassis, too.

01-09-2008, 03:07 PM	#7
deesz Leaky Injector Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: nor cal Age: 39 Posts: 110 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	sounds like a bad battery check cables, if those are fine swap it out...

01-09-2008, 06:14 PM	#8
Bubba Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Biloxi, MS Age: 41 Posts: 352 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Problem solved. Thanks to everyone that commented, the battery and ignition relay were both fried. __________________ Good at wrenching, terrible at electrical. Lord help me... HAHAHA