Wierd Car Starting Problem

[d-oom]

i drive a 1990 240sx, 5 speed.

so i was at college, and my car kind of didnt want to start. but it did. i got it home and turned it off, then tryed to start it. nothing. no noises. i push start it and its ok. my alternator and battery are brand new and work.

so i went and got a new starter. it started up with no hesitation at all. but it progressivly got worse and back to point A.

now sometimes i have to turn the key many times and pump the clutch to get it to start. and sometimes it just starts right up. ITS COMPLETELY RANDOM. it doesnt matter if the engine is cold, hot, or anything.

i noticed that when it doesnt start. i hear a click when i turn the key around the clutch area. i couldnt pinpoint it.

PS. my car does need a clutch, and it seems to engage way to far off the floor. i was thinkin its the safty switch that stops it from starting with the clutch depressed. anyone know how to take this off?

[EchoOfSilence]

Go to an audio/alarm installer. They'd know, that is IF that's your problem.

It sounds like a dying fuel pump to me. are you getting fuel?

[d-oom]

when it runs, it runs fine... with an occational skip every 30 seconds. i went head to head with another 240 that was EXACTLY like mine. and he pulled ahead of my decently quick. it appears that my car might be on the rich side tho.

mafs are good, o2 is good, alt is good, bat is good, ecu is throwing no codes.
new sparks, dis. cap, rotor, valve gasket, starter.

[aznpoopy]

i was thinkin its the safty switch that stops it from starting with the clutch depressed. anyone know how to take this off?

yar... i was thinking that too. just wire in a little manual toggle switch. flip it on when you want to start. oh, and make sure your car is actually in neutral when you do. ;)

[d-oom]

eh screw the switch, im gona hotwire it :D

[s13silady]

all you gotta do is find the switch on the back of your pedal, the switch should have 2 wires, brown and black(not so sure on colors). Just cut those 2 and connect both wires together. (not on the switch side).. and voila! no more safety switch... make sure your car is not in gear when you start it though... haha..

[LIXADO]

I just bought a S14 from a dealer that had some clutch work done to it, and it's exhibiting the same problem. This is my first manual in a while, does the clutch have to be in when I start it? Out but in neutral? If there's a safety switch that prevents it from starting with the clutch in then mine is blown 'cause I've been starting it with the clutch all the way in.
I don't hear any clicks though. At first I thought it was the hood latch jostling loose and triggering the factory ignition kill when I would lock it. (Something I learned about with my Z32) but it recently exhibited the problem on a warm start when I hadn't even locked it (killing that Idea)
The car only has 57K miles so I dont think its the acessories (alt. starter etc.)

post the results of your fix, I'm anxious to see how it comes out.

[macidcrook]

when it doesnt want to start does it crank slow? or nothing happens?

[d-oom]

ok, i took off the switch on the back of the clutch and it seemed to be working good. i tested it a bunch, drove it to school, then came home.

but when i got home it didnt want to start. no noise nothing. i just turned the key a few times fast and it started.

it always cranks right up, or just doesnt make any noise. it did start slowly cranking, then it just wouldnt. so i replaced the starter.

im thinking a corroded wire or maby short. i have alot of them in this car.

any ideas?

[LIXADO]

Well, I don't know if our problems are related but I found out that there is a "Clutch Position Switch" or "Neutral Safety Switch" (Nissan OEM Catalog part #25325D4000) near the clutch pedal arm, it kills ignition if the clutch is not fully depressed. I fiddled with it and the car was starting every time, then the problem started to return. I figured why not replace this $10 to $20 part instead of hot wiring or disconnecting it? The car is still going to try to read that sensor. Mine is on the way (www.performancenissanparts.com), I'll post if it solves the problem. I'm in a S14 but I don't know if that makes a diff.

[LIXADO]

got the part. put it in. wouldn't start immediately but then started and went fine. walked out today and the car started fine. WIERD. I don't know if that was the problem (probably not) or it has decided to go away for a while.