Car wont start all the time

94 DropTop

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2007
Messages
2,987
Reaction score
5
I have a 95 nissan sentral with a 1.6L automatic. It dosent want to start all the time. i have had 2 new starters, igniton switch, and battery put in it. Ill turn the key and the starter will click, then ill do it again and it will spin once and stop and then other times it just fires right up. car runs perfect after its started. Im suppose to sell it tommorow so i need help quick. could a starter relay do this? or maybe the positive cable? please help quick
 

Mr. OAM

Active Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2007
Messages
780
Reaction score
0
What kind of testing have you done and what were the results?


Steve
 
OP
OP
9

94 DropTop

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2007
Messages
2,987
Reaction score
5
havent done any testing with it, except I put 2 starters on it so far. what test would you liike me tto do
 
Joined
Oct 25, 2007
Messages
8,697
Reaction score
2
check the battery ground really good. i mean REALLY good. if need be undo it where it bolts to the chassis/motor and grind down. sometimes rust causes the ground to be inconsistent
 

jfor441

Legend
Joined
Apr 5, 2006
Messages
8,482
Reaction score
2
94 DropTop said:
I already did see as its grounded to one of the starter bolts.

Have you used a voltage meter to check voltage on the battery. Check the voltage coming from the battery to the starter. Check the voltage coming from he alternator to the battery. On the batteries voltage, if it is fully charge you should be seeing about 13.6 volts. Coming from the alternator to the battery you should be seeing about the same 13.6 volts.
 

Mr. OAM

Active Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2007
Messages
780
Reaction score
0
Check all your connections, like you are going over someone else's work, for tightness and clean connections. Verify that your battery is at full charge. Get a load test done on it or borrow a friend's load tester. Verify the amount of voltage at the battery and the amount at the battery with the engine running, as already recommended. With the car off it should be at least 12.5 volts. Running should be 13.5 to 14.5 volts.

Another test is to put an inductive Ammeter on the cable going to the starter and reading how many amps the starter is drawing when activated. You would have to look up the spec for your car but I would guess about 180 amps should be normal. If it is drawing too many amps that indicates a problem with the starter, either improperly meshing with the flywheel or just the starter itself having a flaw. If amperage is low then it may have a problem getting all it needs.

Use a volt/ohm meter to verify the solenoid is not internally shorted.


Steve

Check the starter for proper installation depth into the bellhousing, depending on how it mounts. Sometimes there are shims that are needed to assure proper mesh with the teeth on the flywheel. Improper shimming can cause binding or clashing between the two.

After all that if you still have not found the problem get the wiring diagram for this circuit of your car and start checking at the ignition lock cylinder for proper voltage and then check the system following the course of flow of voltage from the ignition lock cylinder to the starter for proper voltage.
 
OP
OP
9

94 DropTop

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2007
Messages
2,987
Reaction score
5
nevermind guys i just sold the car how it was. I got 1500 out of her, and only had 700-800 in it. :dancing6: Now im off to vegas so no time to spend it. I do plan on getting a tattoo and some spray. I think a zex wet kit, with a purge, and bottle warmer will help my slowness a lil bit.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
78,530
Messages
1,535,669
Members
16,185
Latest member
dmen76

Members online

Top