Car won't start! - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

DJ Machine · 03-14-2002, 06:59 AM

I need help, i went to get in my car today to go to school, and the car wouldn't start...the battery isn't dead. I was kind of low on gas, but the car started fine last night when i had to move my car, the car won't turn over at all, when i turn the key it just makes a single click, and that's it...i tried pushing it a little and starting while it was moving, but that didnt work.

HippoSleek · 03-14-2002, 07:23 AM

Shoulda been in tech, but:

1) sure the batter is okay (do the lights dim when you turn the key)?

2) Single click or multiple?

3)  Mechanical click or electrical?

If the lights dim, it's the battery.  If they don't it could be a fuse or a wire for your starter.  If the wires and the fuses are okay, it could be your starter, itself.  OR a host of other things included but not limited to: bad alarm kill switch (it happened to me and it sucked); bad ignition switch; bad ground in any of the above systems.

If you get a chance, try push starting (if 5 speed).  If its starts that way, its about 99% one of the items listed above.

Any one else - I think those are all correct, but there could definately be more...

240sxnewbie · 03-14-2002, 07:43 AM

check your fuses. your problem sounds like mine..i checked the fuses and one of the fuse was busted...

DJ Machine · 03-14-2002, 08:49 AM

Doh, i keep forgetting about the tech forum, im pretty sure it's a manual click..ill go check the fuses as soon as i can get somewhere for replacements..

S13Grl · 03-14-2002, 09:40 AM

Check your starter, your  battery, and your alternator. This may sound stupid,  but are you sure you have enough fuel? Sometimes that can be the problem.

BlackFox · 03-14-2002, 09:56 AM

I had the same thing happen to my Celica, checked the starter, relays, fuses, alternator, yanked out the alarm and the battery still is being drained by something, I think I traced it to the radiator fan switch... basically start with the simplest things and move from there.  If the starter doesn't turn over (no cranking sounds) then it's probably your battery not delivering enough amperage (low battery). It's not too hard to take out the starter or alternator and take it into a parts store like Kragen and they'll test it out for you for free.

If you gonna park your car if you can get it going, i recomend the driveway or something like that so you can get it rolling and drop the clutch to start it, i've had to do it many times. Let me know if you need instructions  

good luck with your car  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':look:'>

DJ Machine · 03-14-2002, 11:44 AM

Even if i were out of gas, wouldnt the car at least attempt to turn over?

And even if the alternator is dead, wouldnt the car still try and start with power from the battery?

KiNG · 03-14-2002, 11:50 AM

if u have an aftermarket car alarm on ur car, wait till its been dark a while and try starting ur car again. this happens sometimes with a bad install of aftermarket alarm systems. what happens is a wire get too close to a piece of metal which conducts heat from the sun and expands the rubber around it causing a short with other wires. hard to explain. try starting it like in the middle of the night. if it works, u know the prob, if it doesnt, well, it must be somethin else hehe.

Tyler Durdan · 03-14-2002, 11:51 AM

You might also check the ignition module in the distributor.  If it's not any of the other things mentioned above, it could very well be the ignition module.  You can pull it and autozone or o'reilly's (or any other autopart stores) will check it for free.  I had the same problem with my old camero.

S13Grl · 03-14-2002, 12:10 PM

That's right, it would probably attempt using the battery power to turn over. However ,not if your battery is bad. have you checked your battery? I've had this happen to me in my old 240. My alternator went and so did my battery. How are your lights? If you have popups,  try and open them, see if they go up at the usual speed.

geeaj · 03-14-2002, 12:18 PM

Get your battery tested. Should read between 11.5 and 12v on a multimeter. May want to clean your ground strap and the battery terminals as well. Heat, age, and corrosian equal increased resistance.

Your alternator is only involved when the car is running. All accessories and charging of your battery occurs when the car is running. I have a alternator test you can do - search the forum , I posted a similiar response a couple of days ago.

DJ Machine · 03-14-2002, 03:58 PM

k, update...i was able to push-start the car, but as soon as i turned it off again it wouldnt turn back on..what does this mean?

DJ Machine · 03-14-2002, 08:40 PM

rock on, its fixed  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

S13Grl · 03-14-2002, 09:42 PM

What was the problem?

DJ Machine · 03-14-2002, 11:06 PM

some wire going to the starter/solenoid is like half-broken, like rotted cloth cord, almost..when i tried to start the car it was throwing sparks, but i hosed it down with WD-40 and got all the moisture out, works fine now..

03-14-2002, 06:59 AM	#1
DJ Machine Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 549 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I need help, i went to get in my car today to go to school, and the car wouldn't start...the battery isn't dead. I was kind of low on gas, but the car started fine last night when i had to move my car, the car won't turn over at all, when i turn the key it just makes a single click, and that's it...i tried pushing it a little and starting while it was moving, but that didnt work. __________________

03-14-2002, 08:49 AM	#4
DJ Machine Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 549 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Doh, i keep forgetting about the tech forum, im pretty sure it's a manual click..ill go check the fuses as soon as i can get somewhere for replacements.. __________________

03-14-2002, 09:56 AM	#6
BlackFox Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 534 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I had the same thing happen to my Celica, checked the starter, relays, fuses, alternator, yanked out the alarm and the battery still is being drained by something, I think I traced it to the radiator fan switch... basically start with the simplest things and move from there.  If the starter doesn't turn over (no cranking sounds) then it's probably your battery not delivering enough amperage (low battery). It's not too hard to take out the starter or alternator and take it into a parts store like Kragen and they'll test it out for you for free. If you gonna park your car if you can get it going, i recomend the driveway or something like that so you can get it rolling and drop the clutch to start it, i've had to do it many times. Let me know if you need instructions   good luck with your car  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':look:'> __________________ Current Cars: 1976 Mercedes Benz 300D 1995 240sx SE aka Kate (winner: Best Stock S14 @ 2002 National Convention) http://community.webshots.com/user/jeff976cal If you're interested in parts email me [email protected]

03-14-2002, 11:44 AM	#7
DJ Machine Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 549 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Even if i were out of gas, wouldnt the car at least attempt to turn over? And even if the alternator is dead, wouldnt the car still try and start with power from the battery? __________________

03-14-2002, 11:51 AM	#9
Tyler Durdan Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Don't mess with Texas Posts: 546 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You might also check the ignition module in the distributor.  If it's not any of the other things mentioned above, it could very well be the ignition module.  You can pull it and autozone or o'reilly's (or any other autopart stores) will check it for free.  I had the same problem with my old camero. __________________ "Pure adrenaline attached to a license plate.  Isn't it time to experience one yourself?"                           -Dan Gurney Turbo for Sale

03-14-2002, 07:23 AM	#2
HippoSleek Nissanaholic! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: elsewhere Posts: 2,081 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Shoulda been in tech, but: 1) sure the batter is okay (do the lights dim when you turn the key)? 2) Single click or multiple? 3)  Mechanical click or electrical? If the lights dim, it's the battery.  If they don't it could be a fuse or a wire for your starter.  If the wires and the fuses are okay, it could be your starter, itself.  OR a host of other things included but not limited to: bad alarm kill switch (it happened to me and it sucked); bad ignition switch; bad ground in any of the above systems. If you get a chance, try push starting (if 5 speed).  If its starts that way, its about 99% one of the items listed above. Any one else - I think those are all correct, but there could definately be more...

03-14-2002, 07:43 AM	#3
240sxnewbie Leaky Injector Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 74 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	check your fuses. your problem sounds like mine..i checked the fuses and one of the fuse was busted...

03-14-2002, 09:40 AM	#5
S13Grl Married to the Mob Join Date: Dec 2000 Age: 44 Posts: 3,670 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Check your starter, your  battery, and your alternator. This may sound stupid,  but are you sure you have enough fuel? Sometimes that can be the problem.

03-14-2002, 11:50 AM	#8
KiNG Leaky Injector Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 79 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	if u have an aftermarket car alarm on ur car, wait till its been dark a while and try starting ur car again. this happens sometimes with a bad install of aftermarket alarm systems. what happens is a wire get too close to a piece of metal which conducts heat from the sun and expands the rubber around it causing a short with other wires. hard to explain. try starting it like in the middle of the night. if it works, u know the prob, if it doesnt, well, it must be somethin else hehe.

03-14-2002, 12:10 PM	#10
S13Grl Married to the Mob Join Date: Dec 2000 Age: 44 Posts: 3,670 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	That's right, it would probably attempt using the battery power to turn over. However ,not if your battery is bad. have you checked your battery? I've had this happen to me in my old 240. My alternator went and so did my battery. How are your lights? If you have popups,  try and open them, see if they go up at the usual speed.

03-14-2002, 12:18 PM	#11
geeaj Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 357 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Get your battery tested. Should read between 11.5 and 12v on a multimeter. May want to clean your ground strap and the battery terminals as well. Heat, age, and corrosian equal increased resistance. Your alternator is only involved when the car is running. All accessories and charging of your battery occurs when the car is running. I have a alternator test you can do - search the forum , I posted a similiar response a couple of days ago. __________________ Beware the fury of a silent man, be more cautious of his silent farts....

03-14-2002, 03:58 PM	#12
DJ Machine Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 549 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	k, update...i was able to push-start the car, but as soon as i turned it off again it wouldnt turn back on..what does this mean? __________________

03-14-2002, 08:40 PM	#13
DJ Machine Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 549 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	rock on, its fixed  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'> __________________

03-14-2002, 09:42 PM	#14
S13Grl Married to the Mob Join Date: Dec 2000 Age: 44 Posts: 3,670 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	What was the problem?

03-14-2002, 11:06 PM	#15
DJ Machine Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 549 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	some wire going to the starter/solenoid is like half-broken, like rotted cloth cord, almost..when i tried to start the car it was throwing sparks, but i hosed it down with WD-40 and got all the moisture out, works fine now.. __________________