Split-Second Starter Delay - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

nismoskyz · 08-16-2009, 11:58 PM

When you turn the key in the ignition, usually you should instantly hear the starter cranking the motor, "chu-thu-thu-thu", lol

Lately, it seems that an increasing delay is developing from the time I turn the key to the starting position and the time that I actually hear the motor crank.

I turn the key and instead of cranking right away, it seems like a fraction of a second goes by, then I hear the starter.

This has only been happening occasionally, however, today I turned the key and nothing happened at all (no clicks or anything), but it started right away the second time I turned the key.

Doesn't seem like a major issue at the moment, but I'd like to take care of this before it gets any worse.

Car is all stock, any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

xpertsnowcarver · 08-17-2009, 12:10 AM

Sounds like your battery is nearing its end. Bust out a voltmeter and see where its at right now, without starting your car.

g6civcx · 08-17-2009, 05:53 AM

As said above, low battery voltage, or the starter itself.

airhead · 08-17-2009, 06:51 AM

ignition switch or wiring.

94porkchop · 08-17-2009, 11:13 AM

i would also double check the timing.that can also caused a slightly delayed starting.

KiLLeR2001 · 08-17-2009, 01:13 PM

I have this exact same problem and it seems from what I've observed it has to do with the ECU. Usually when my fuel pump is still priming and the key is in the start position, if I hold it there it won't start until the fuel pump is done priming, then it'll start right up. If I turn to the start position and the fuel pump has already been primed, it starts right up like it should. My battery is only a few months old (holds a solid 12.5v - 12.8v when car is shut off) and my alternator is good (at idle voltage is around 13.7v at the terminals)

Wabash9000 · 08-17-2009, 01:55 PM

mine was doing that for 3 days and then the started completely died

*DALAZ_68* · 08-17-2009, 02:27 PM

the exact same thing happened to me friday OP...out of nowhere no click nothing...went to Autozone, battery was perfect...even swapped in a brand new gold duralast to see if that was the problem and nope, it was the starter going...

swapped starter day after and 0 issues...put back the original battery and still working liek a achamp...

i say do the same hting i did, go to autozone, get ur battery tested, if it passes, ur starters taking a dump soon, if u have plug cleaner, clean up ur plugs, corrosion gould be a culprit, but im unsure if it would be...

for me it was the starter.

g6civcx · 08-17-2009, 07:26 PM

What is the year/model of the car?

wiggafly808 · 08-18-2009, 12:46 AM

Starter.. my 14 used to do that. Id have to put the key in and jiggle it before it would start.

mothon · 08-18-2009, 02:25 AM

Was your car converted to manual?

nismoskyz · 08-18-2009, 01:50 PM

Thanks for all the replies

I don't have a voltmeter but I could probably go to AutoZone and have them test it...

@KiLLeR2001
Well I don't usually even turn the key until I hear the fuel pump stop priming, so I don't know if that's the issue. Still a possibility though, maybe I forgot to listen for it.
Although, certain times I have intentionally turned the key while the fuel pump was still priming and it has started up.

@DALAZ_68
Ouch, hope it's not the starter, because mine is just a few years old.
Yeah, I think I'm probably gonna go have the battery tested... I have had starting issues due to corroded terminals in the past and this battery's been in there for a while, so I think it could be the culprit...

Car is a '91 240SX, stock, no transmission swaps.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions and input.

*DALAZ_68* · 08-18-2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nismoskyz

@DALAZ_68
Ouch, hope it's not the starter, because mine is just a few years old.
Yeah, I think I'm probably gonna go have the battery tested... I have had starting issues due to corroded terminals in the past and this battery's been in there for a while, so I think it could be the culprit...

u missed my point, it was the starter, i swapped it out, and blamo she starts B-E-Autifully now

it was a bitch to do...

one30five · 08-18-2009, 02:52 PM

I have that problem, but mine is the signal connector near the starter. When i jump over the connector, it works fine.

nismoskyz · 08-20-2009, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DALAZ_68

u missed my point, it was the starter, i swapped it out, and blamo she starts B-E-Autifully now

it was a bitch to do...

Yeah I see that your problem was the starter, I was saying that I just hope mine isn't the starter since it's not even that old.

Still haven't yet had the opportunity to have the battery tested.. but I'm having a feeling it is the battery, since it seems to happen only if I haven't started the car for several hours or so.

08-16-2009, 11:58 PM	#1
nismoskyz Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: socal Posts: 312 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	Split-Second Starter Delay When you turn the key in the ignition, usually you should instantly hear the starter cranking the motor, "chu-thu-thu-thu", lol Lately, it seems that an increasing delay is developing from the time I turn the key to the starting position and the time that I actually hear the motor crank. I turn the key and instead of cranking right away, it seems like a fraction of a second goes by, then I hear the starter. This has only been happening occasionally, however, today I turned the key and nothing happened at all (no clicks or anything), but it started right away the second time I turned the key. Doesn't seem like a major issue at the moment, but I'd like to take care of this before it gets any worse. Car is all stock, any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks __________________ (function)(form)^(-1)

08-17-2009, 12:10 AM	#2
xpertsnowcarver Post Whore! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: LA, CA Posts: 2,667 Trader Rating: (44) Feedback Score: 44 reviews	Sounds like your battery is nearing its end. Bust out a voltmeter and see where its at right now, without starting your car. __________________ My YouTube Channel

08-17-2009, 06:51 AM	#4
airhead Nissanaholic! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: IE/OC Posts: 1,885 Trader Rating: (32) Feedback Score: 32 reviews	ignition switch or wiring. __________________

08-17-2009, 11:13 AM	#5
94porkchop Zilvia Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: nj Posts: 218 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	i would also double check the timing.that can also caused a slightly delayed starting. __________________ I drive a smoke machine!

08-17-2009, 01:13 PM	#6
KiLLeR2001 Post Whore! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: オーランドフロリダ Posts: 7,955 Trader Rating: (46) Feedback Score: 46 reviews	I have this exact same problem and it seems from what I've observed it has to do with the ECU. Usually when my fuel pump is still priming and the key is in the start position, if I hold it there it won't start until the fuel pump is done priming, then it'll start right up. If I turn to the start position and the fuel pump has already been primed, it starts right up like it should. My battery is only a few months old (holds a solid 12.5v - 12.8v when car is shut off) and my alternator is good (at idle voltage is around 13.7v at the terminals) __________________

08-17-2009, 05:53 AM	#3
g6civcx Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 5,764 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	As said above, low battery voltage, or the starter itself.

08-17-2009, 01:55 PM	#7
Wabash9000 Zilvia Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kansas Age: 36 Posts: 217 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	mine was doing that for 3 days and then the started completely died

08-17-2009, 02:27 PM	#8
DALAZ_68 not giving a fuck Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los angeles Age: 37 Posts: 15,077 Trader Rating: (104) Feedback Score: 104 reviews	the exact same thing happened to me friday OP...out of nowhere no click nothing...went to Autozone, battery was perfect...even swapped in a brand new gold duralast to see if that was the problem and nope, it was the starter going... swapped starter day after and 0 issues...put back the original battery and still working liek a achamp... i say do the same hting i did, go to autozone, get ur battery tested, if it passes, ur starters taking a dump soon, if u have plug cleaner, clean up ur plugs, corrosion gould be a culprit, but im unsure if it would be... for me it was the starter. __________________ LOL 240... whats better than 1? 5 1's ...lol PSN & XBL GT : Wh0pp3r68 CLUB LEXUS : Wh0pp3r

08-17-2009, 07:26 PM	#9
g6civcx Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 5,764 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	What is the year/model of the car?

08-18-2009, 12:46 AM	#10
wiggafly808 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Corvallis, OR Posts: 346 Trader Rating: (11) Feedback Score: 11 reviews	Starter.. my 14 used to do that. Id have to put the key in and jiggle it before it would start.

08-18-2009, 02:25 AM	#11
mothon Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: oklahoma Age: 38 Posts: 835 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Was your car converted to manual? __________________ instagram: madness_garages14

08-18-2009, 01:50 PM	#12
nismoskyz Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: socal Posts: 312 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	Thanks for all the replies I don't have a voltmeter but I could probably go to AutoZone and have them test it... @KiLLeR2001 Well I don't usually even turn the key until I hear the fuel pump stop priming, so I don't know if that's the issue. Still a possibility though, maybe I forgot to listen for it. Although, certain times I have intentionally turned the key while the fuel pump was still priming and it has started up. @DALAZ_68 Ouch, hope it's not the starter, because mine is just a few years old. Yeah, I think I'm probably gonna go have the battery tested... I have had starting issues due to corroded terminals in the past and this battery's been in there for a while, so I think it could be the culprit... Car is a '91 240SX, stock, no transmission swaps. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions and input. __________________ (function)(form)^(-1)

08-18-2009, 02:52 PM	#14
one30five Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Big Rapids, MI Age: 37 Posts: 9 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have that problem, but mine is the signal connector near the starter. When i jump over the connector, it works fine.