Won't start?!

[ImporteXBUILT]

I have a 1991 Nissan 240SX fastback with the stock KA24DE in it. The damn thing won't start! First, I thought it was the starter, so I dropped that and took it to Autozone to get it benchtested. The guy said it passed, but it made a wierd ass grinding noise towards the end of the test. After I put it back in, the motor started to crank over for a second or two and then it just died out. Every attempt to start the car after that has only yielded "clicking" from the engine bay. Usually, that means it's a starter problem right? But it did pass the testing, I don't get it. Can someone help me out please?!?!


Danny

[mRclARK1]

It's probably your starter.

If I took a starter to be tested, and it was making "weird ass" noises while it was being tested, I wouldn't care if they said it passed or not.

[s13rookie]

i usually get that clicking sounds when the battery is too dead to turn the car over. check the battery and grounds, before spending money on a new alt

[ImporteXBUILT]

Can the battery be powerful enough to run all the lights inside of the car and the radio, but yet not enough to turn the car over?

Also, another question. I've been thru 3 AutoZone clutch slave cylinders already and I didn't even drive any of them. The seals all busted when I was bleeding the system. I'm pretty positive I was doing it right: pump the clutch pedal 3 times and hold it, then open the bleeder screw while gradually releasing the pedal, and repeat until there's no more air bubbles right? Well, I never get to the no air bubbles part because the seal always breaks causing the rubber boot to swell up with brake fluid, eventually popping off and getting all over the place. Am I doing something wrong or should I just bite the bullet and buy an OEM replacement?

[ni$$an_2fortysx]

hey bro i think i had a similar problem with the car not starting, if you look by your fuse box on the driver side, straight above it or a little to the right there should be a little switch or button. Press that button and watch the seatbelt light on the cluster blink ten times, on the tenth time quickly try to start your engine, if it works all that was needed was a reset on the starter sensor or something like that.

[ni$$an_2fortysx]

my cousin and i thought it was the starter at first so i purchased a starter, we tested the starters and my original one worked even better than the one i purchased. So we put the original one back in and it still didnt start, so thats when we did took the steps i just informed you.

[ImporteXBUILT]

Originally Posted by ni$$an_2fortysx

hey bro i think i had a similar problem with the car not starting, if you look by your fuse box on the driver side, straight above it or a little to the right there should be a little switch or button. Press that button and watch the seatbelt light on the cluster blink ten times, on the tenth time quickly try to start your engine, if it works all that was needed was a reset on the starter sensor or something like that.

The fuse box under the dash or in the engine bay?

[ni$$an_2fortysx]

under the dash

[ImporteXBUILT]

The only little button I saw was the clutch safety switch. Is that what you're talking about?

[Fredy]

Originally Posted by ni$$an_2fortysx

hey bro i think i had a similar problem with the car not starting, if you look by your fuse box on the driver side, straight above it or a little to the right there should be a little switch or button. Press that button and watch the seatbelt light on the cluster blink ten times, on the tenth time quickly try to start your engine, if it works all that was needed was a reset on the starter sensor or something like that.

that button would be the alarm reset switch. i have the same thing, it's not something factory. that's why he doesnt know wtf you're talking about.. hope this helps. i still think it is either your battery, starter, or wiring.. keep checking yo, it's a nissan, you need patience..

[ni$$an_2fortysx]

well that alarm reset switch caused my car not to start at all, but after the reset its been starting up everytime without any problems. Well i suppose i should thank you for the heads up or whatever, im fairly new at this too, just trying to give some advice.

Originally Posted by Fredy

that button would be the alarm reset switch. i have the same thing, it's not something factory. that's why he doesnt know wtf you're talking about.. hope this helps. i still think it is either your battery, starter, or wiring.. keep checking yo, it's a nissan, you need patience..

[ni$$an_2fortysx]

the previous owner of my car stated that i was the starter sylinoid or some shit like that causing it not to start properly. BULLSHIT

[s13rookie]

Originally Posted by ImporteXBUILT

Can the battery be powerful enough to run all the lights inside of the car and the radio, but yet not enough to turn the car over?

yes, resulting in that clicking sound. Either jump or charge the battery and try again

if it doesnt work, hit the starter with a hammer or something similar. sometimes they develop flat spots. If it then starts you know what the problem is

[ImporteXBUILT]

Originally Posted by s13rookie

yes, resulting in that clicking sound. Either jump or charge the battery and try again

if it doesnt work, hit the starter with a hammer or something similar. sometimes they develop flat spots. If it then starts you know what the problem is

Thanks Fredy..

We tried jumping it, but it didn't work. When I first bought the car, we tapped the starter with the metal part of a steering wheel club and it sparked and shit and then it started, but that was the only time. We had to push start it every other time we got it started after that. I was going to replace it, but then I got it tested and the guy said it passed. I'll just get a new one to be on the safe side.

[Fredy]

no prob danny..

if your car's still not up by the time i have my swap done, call me and i'll help you with ALL your problems.. haha.. :P

[ImporteXBUILT]

It was the starter. Bought one from a local 240 owner and she started right up. Thanks guys!

Now onto the clutch problem lol...

[DRIFTER-M]

Originally Posted by ImporteXBUILT

It was the starter. Bought one from a local 240 owner and she started right up. Thanks guys!

Now onto the clutch problem lol...

Glad you figured out the problem, but for further reference sometimes it may be something other than the starter. I have had battery problems resulting from a bad alternator similair to what you are describing. The dash lights would come on dim, and my seatbelt warning sound would be slow. The automatic seatbelt would also come back hella slow because of insufficient battery power at the time. Anyway, to make the story short, one new alternator and a battery charge later and whalla, started up like new.
Anyway, glad everything is working now, just figured I would let you know some other things incase you run in to similair problems again.

[ImporteXBUILT]

Originally Posted by DRIFTER-M

Glad you figured out the problem, but for further reference sometimes it may be something other than the starter. I have had battery problems resulting from a bad alternator similair to what you are describing. The dash lights would come on dim, and my seatbelt warning sound would be slow. The automatic seatbelt would also come back hella slow because of insufficient battery power at the time. Anyway, to make the story short, one new alternator and a battery charge later and whalla, started up like new.
Anyway, glad everything is working now, just figured I would let you know some other things incase you run in to similair problems again.

yeah, a lot of people told to me check the alt. also, but i ended up doing the starter first and that happened to be the problem. thanks for the advice brah!