car will not start...any suggestions?

[SimpleS14]

well...right now I'm having some trouble getting my car to start. When I turn the key I hear one click (possibly the starter) and all the dummy lights go dim and nothing else.

Is there a chance that I have to replace my starter and/or my alternator to fix this problem?

note: my car has been sitting disconnected for almost 5 days

[drift into a curb]

Your battery still good? Sounds like that's the problem..

[mjjstang]

just a suggestion because it happened to my friend, check starter wires to make sure they are good and maybe hit the starter w a hammer end, we had to hit it a few times, weirdest thing and a lot of people say it works. but it is more likely issue w battery or alt because the lites dim too.

[-E-]

Originally Posted by mjjstang

just a suggestion because it happened to my friend, check starter wires to make sure they are good and maybe hit the starter w a hammer end, we had to hit it a few times, weirdest thing and a lot of people say it works.

It does work I know first hand

[Demik]

get a new car.. haha jk..

maybe its ur battery or ur starter.. i went through this . and found out the starter wire was loose and the battery was shoot!! now i got a ka starter motor in a sr starter case eheh and i invested in redtop.......... a optima redtop Y()()

[thelinja]

Funny, my car has been doing the same thing for the past few weeks. The problem has been that the positive battery pickup is corroded to hell. I'd check that out first. I really need to get a new one, but I can't find one that will work with the car because of the positive power that runs to the fuse/relay box. When my car does this, I just pound the pickup onto the post with a socket and that usually gives it enough contact to relay power to the starter.

[SimpleS14]

so...I should just tap the starter...or hit is hard?...I might do that with a breaker bar.

I don't think its my battery because I tired to jump the car with no luck...the same thing happened.

[-E-]

Originally Posted by 95KoukiS14

so...I should just tap the starter...or hit is hard?...I might do that with a breaker bar.

I don't think its my battery because I tired to jump the car with no luck...the same thing happened.

give it a firm tap

[thelinja]

Originally Posted by 95KoukiS14

so...I should just tap the starter...or hit is hard?...I might do that with a breaker bar.

I don't think its my battery because I tired to jump the car with no luck...the same thing happened.

This also happened to me. The first time the car failed to start, I called up my brother to bring up some jumper cables, but the car still wouldn't start. We messed around with the positive terminal connection and the car regained power and started like normal.

[Matt_240]

check your starter and battery.

have you had any problems turning your key before it stopped starting? There was one time where my ignition switch crapped out on me. you should check on that...if starter is fine and battery is good and alternator seems good. when did you last replace your starter?

[SimpleS14]

Originally Posted by Matt_240

check your starter and battery.

have you had any problems turning your key before it stopped starting? There was one time where my ignition switch crapped out on me. you should check on that...if starter is fine and battery is good and alternator seems good. when did you last replace your starter?

OK....well what I have did right now was g-rig the starter directly to the battery. I can hear something spinning...but nothing else. I have not replaced my starter since I got my car (three years ago) and my battery is one year old (Die Hard Gold).

I'm guess that its not catching to the flywheel...I don't have enough room for a roll start and I have no idea where to hit the starter exactly.

[Pepperoni]

Yea i was gonna suggest push starting it... if it starts, then it's your starter. Can u not get it on the street so u can push start it?

[SimpleS14]

Originally Posted by Pepperoni

Yea i was gonna suggest push starting it... if it starts, then it's your starter. Can u not get it on the street so u can push start it?

my car is located between some houses and the roads between them are very small strips with no steep slopes. I try to get the car pushing...but once I popped the clutch the car stopped. I did not have enough momentum(sp?) and road to really get somewhere.


I'm going to take off the starter and get it tested. My guess is that its not catching with the flywheel....so I might have to replace it. It's just a pain getting to that top bolt.

[Ivan]

why not try a different battery also? I know you tried jumping it but maybe having the battery connected directly wouldbe better.

[Matt_240]

i dont think theres a specific place to wack it. just hit it when you're trying to start it. but i guess best bet would be to take it off and test it at autozone or something, if you can't roll start it.

[SimpleS14]

Tried to roll start again...but no luck. I used the battery from my other car and still the same shit. I'm going to test the starter real soon.

I need my car back.

[Matt_240]

if ya tried roll starting it and it didn't start. im 95% sure its your starter. do you have someone elses starter you can borrow?

[idlafie]

Originally Posted by 95KoukiS14

well...right now I'm having some trouble getting my car to start. When I turn the key I hear one click (possibly the starter) and all the dummy lights go dim and nothing else.

Is there a chance that I have to replace my starter and/or my alternator to fix this problem?

note: my car has been sitting disconnected for almost 5 days

Pull both your battery & starter from the car & take them both to Pepboys/Autozone/Kragen & have them tested. If the starter turns out to be bad, DON"T get a remanufactured one from Pep Boys/ Autozone/Kragen. The remanufactured ones they get will only last you about a year or two before they start acting up also. Why do you think they give you a "lifetime" warranty on 'those" parts??
Now if your battery & starter turn out okay, then check your ignition switch. It is a five position switch that has copper contacts inside of it. The contacts on the "START" position may have gone bad on you. I had the same problem as you a while back & literally replaced everything on the starting circuit before I realized that the ignition switch had gone bad. Once I replaced the ignition switch, the car started up fine. Haven't had any starting problems ever since.
Hope this helps...
Diego
'95 SE

[SimpleS14]

Originally Posted by idlafie

Pull both your battery & starter from the car & take them both to Pepboys/Autozone/Kragen & have them tested. If the starter turns out to be bad, DON"T get a remanufactured one from Pep Boys/ Autozone/Kragen. The remanufactured ones they get will only last you about a year or two before they start acting up also. Why do you think they give you a "lifetime" warranty on 'those" parts??
Now if your battery & starter turn out okay, then check your ignition switch. It is a five position switch that has copper contacts inside of it. The contacts on the "START" position may have gone bad on you. I had the same problem as you a while back & literally replaced everything on the starting circuit before I realized that the ignition switch had gone bad. Once I replaced the ignition switch, the car started up fine. Haven't had any starting problems ever since.
Hope this helps...
Diego
'95 SE

I had my starter tested...and it popped and spun just fine..the guy also said it was reaching proper levels. I will now have to test the battery. Please excuse me for being a newbie...but where is the ignition switch located exactly? and how much does it cost?

[aznpoopy]

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...25&model=240sx

twenty-ish bucks.

iirc the iginition switch is exactly what it sounds like... its the thing u stick ur key into. of course i could (very easily) be wrong. :X

[skatanic28]

if you cant even push start it my guess would be a dead battery. test it.

[idlafie]

Originally Posted by aznpoopy

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...25&model=240sx

twenty-ish bucks.

iirc the iginition switch is exactly what it sounds like... its the thing u stick ur key into. of course i could (very easily) be wrong. :X

Actually...you are right...and wrong....
The link you posted appears to be correct..it lists the ignition switch for $27.92...you want the SWITCH and NOT the ignition lock cylinder...the ignition lock cylinder comes with the key portion.

The ignition switch is actually located directly opposite of where the ignition key is inserted into. The ignition switch is a tannish/beige-colored switch that has 5 wires coming out of it. It's held onto the ignition lock cylinder AND the steering column by two small phillips head screws. Remove the two screws & un-plug the wiring from the wiring harness,, and the whole switch should come loose from the car. Once you get the switch removed from the car, then take a voltmeter & test the wiring on the switch. Put a small screwdriver in the slot on the front of the switch & turn the screwdriver to the five positions on the switch. Test for continuity as you turn the screwdriver from position to position. If the switch is good, then everything should check out okay. However, you may have to replace the ignition switch - the electrical contacts on the inside of the switch can go bad, (especially on the START position...remember it draws a heavy electrical load on the switch/contacts when you crank the key over to the START position).
Once you replace the defective switch, then your car should start like new.
Anyhow, hope this helps....If you need any more info just PM me....I might be able to find my old defective part & take a picture of it for you.
IdLaFie
'95 SE

[b-s14]

I'm with 95KoukiS14 as he was working on his car...and MAN...the car will not start after we checked everything. He replaced the battery and ignition switch....but now when he cranks the car...smoke is coming out the starter...wtf does that mean?

[GamblerZ]

Your starter gear and your flywheel teeth could probably be misaligned(tooth on tooth) creating a kink or bind. That is the reason some people whack it with a hammer. If it is not catching the flywheel, you will HEAR it.

My thinking is you have something hooked up backwards. It may sound ridiculous, but I have seen people hook up their batteries wrong. Or, perhaps the starter is hooked up incorrectly.

[SimpleS14]

How do you guys get a good wack at it? There really is not much space when I'm underneath that car. I don't think the starter is hooked up wrong...there is only one way to install it IMO. Damn...I'm so frustrated.

[Grant]

I think it's the starter.. that was the problem with mine..

[GamblerZ]

http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.p...163#post500163

Try the above link. It could be as simple as the starter relay.

[SimpleS14]

Originally Posted by GamblerZ

http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.p...163#post500163

Try the above link. It could be as simple as the starter relay.

Thanks for the link...you have a nice list of cars in your sig...excluding the ML (hate those things).

Starter relay? hmm..everything looked fine and hooked up..I will give it another check. I might be a complete newbie since I didn't know where exactly its located.

But unlike this guy...my car does not start with a push start..and I don't have the issue he did with the gauge cluster.

I will give this a try...and might try to replace the starter.

I need my car back

[SimpleS14]

replaced the starter....same shit happens...my car will not start


I'm all kinds of confused.....I have no idea where exactly this starter relay is located...everything seems to be wired up and hooked up fine.

[idlafie]

Originally Posted by 95KoukiS14

replaced the starter....same shit happens...my car will not start


I'm all kinds of confused.....I have no idea where exactly this starter relay is located...everything seems to be wired up and hooked up fine.

WARNING....WARNING...
LOOOOONG POST!!!

Kouki....

FYI...Starter Relay is located in the black fuse box located in the engine compartment directly behind the car battery. When you pop the cover off the black fuse box you should see a row of FIVE (5) relays in a straight line in the center of the fuse box. You want to pull out the SECOND relay in that row of five - the second relay closest to the front of the car / car battery. That second relay is known as the Clutch Interlock Relay (for Manual Transmission) or Park/Neutral Position Relay (for Auto Transmission). Try TEMPORARILY swapping out that SECOND relay with any OTHER relay that looks like it will fit. See if the car will start with ANY OTHER relay. IF IT DOES, then the relay was your problem all along and NOT the starter NOR the ignition switch.

IF your car DOESN'T start after swapping out the Starter / Clutch Interlock / Park/Neutral Relay, then your problem may be the THEFT WARNING RELAY located in the smaller black fuse box to the right of and below your car battery. I don't recall you mentioning it in your initial post, but IS YOUR S14 a BASE model or an SE model?? SE Models come with a stock OEM Nissan-wired and factory- installed car alarm, (NOT a dealer-installed aftermarket version) that kills power to the Starter motor thru the Theft Warning Relay. The Theft Warning Relay supplies power to the starter THRU the Starter / Clutch Interlock / Park/Neutral Relay.

If your car STILL doesn't want to start after checking / swapping out those two relays, then check the following.........again....
1). Fusebox underneath the hood - 30 amp fuse - provides power to the ignition switch
2). ALL fuses underneath the dashboard - driver side kickpanel
3). Battery - make sure it provides enough cold cranking power to kick over the starter at load
4). Starter - make sure all THREE wires are connected properly to the starter and that there are not loose connectors / connections / shorts in any of those wires....ground wire...main power wire from the battery AND secondary power wire which connects to the starter & provides power thru the ignition switch.
5). Ignition switch - properly connected, working properly AND providing power to the secondary starter power wire WHEN TURNED TO THE START POSITION on the switch.
6). (For Manual Transmission) Clutch Interlock Switch located directly below & behind the clutch pedal arm - make sure the switch is fully depressed when the clutch is engaged
7). (For Auto Transmissions). Park / Neutral Position switch on your Auto shifter...may sure it is properly connected and working.

If NONE of this works...then pull out the sledge hammer & wail away!!!

Anyhow, hope this helps...
ID