God damn POS S14

[bimmerlover]

My troubles began with a simple Check Engine light that came on one random night after work. So, I figured I'd spend this weekend pulling the fault code from the ECU and replacing whatever was bad. The LED flashed ten long bursts, followed by three short ones. I then looked up code 103 and found it to be the Park/Neutral Position Switch. Great, I didn't know what that meant, so I did a search on that on Zilvia and found that other people who had this code ignored it, and the Check Engine light never came back. So I'll just ignore it as well, I thought. Figuring that I was done troubleshooting the car for the day, I'd put it back in the garage. I get in the car, insert the key, and then nothing. The fucking car doesn't start! I re-clutch and try to start the thing, and it doesn't start! I hit the 'clutch bypass button' near the clutch pedal and then try to start it; still nothing. The engine doesn't even turn over! No spark, no nothing. Keep in mind that I was driving the car only yesterday. At this point, I rediagnose the ECU to see if there were any other codes that I missed. Now it flashes five long times, followed by five short times, and according to 240sx.org that means everything's okay. So no more CEL, but the car doesn't start!

Are these two problems (the Park/Neutral Position Switch code, and the fact that my car doesn't even turn over) in any way related? I should also mention that in the past month when the car is in the process of turning over during start-up, it sounds really weak, like it doesn't want to start-up. When the key is set on the first position (radio only), it's fine. When the key is set on the ON position (all electronics only), it's fine as well. Starting the engine is the problem. No spark, no turning over, nothing. Also, the battery is new. I bought and replaced it not more than 3 months ago.

Any input is appreciated. TIA!:drama:

[g6civcx]

1. How do you know you're not getting spark if it's not cranking?

2. Just because a battery is "new" doesn't mean it's holding charge. You can drain a new battery overnight, especially if you don't fully charge it before using. Batteries get drained sitting on the shelves.

3. Which year and engine?

Your best bet right now is to pull the battery and get it tested. Go on from there.

[smithers584]

i would check the switch on the clutch pedal that allows the car to start as it gets depressed when you push the clutch in, because that is exactly what will happen if you clutch isnt in, so i leave the rest for you to figure out. but that would be a park/neutral safety switch on an automatic, do you have an auto ecu?

[bimmerlover]

1. How do you know you're not getting spark if it's not cranking?

You're right; I should simply reiterate and say that the engine simply doesn't crank.

2. Just because a battery is "new" doesn't mean it's holding charge. You can drain a new battery overnight, especially if you don't fully charge it before using. Batteries get drained sitting on the shelves.

Absolutely, I'm not disagreeing with you.

3. Which year and engine?
It's a 1995 with a KA24DE.

Your best bet right now is to pull the battery and get it tested. Go on from there.

I actually recall with my previous battery that the first and second positions were fine, but when it came to start it, the whole fucking car died. Everything, including electronics. So I decided to replace the battery and everything was fine, up until now that is.

[g6civcx]

Go to zeroyon.com and download the FSM for your year S14. Look in the EL section for the starter schematic. Look through your clutch interlock relay and make sure the relay or switch isn't bad.

[kouki_s14]

my guess, its the battery. have you tried jumping it?

[sr20detmaybe]

do the lights in ur car(ur gauge lights and stuff) go dim when u try to turn it over? if they dont go dim, then the starter isnt even tryin to turn the engine.

[bimmerlover]

do the lights in ur car(ur gauge lights and stuff) go dim when u try to turn it over? if they dont go dim, then the starter isnt even tryin to turn the engine.

I've noticed that when I'm starting the engine, the lights don't flicker/go dim at all. So perhaps it's a starter problem?

[misfitsfreak81]

first off is the car an auto? if it go to the dealer or junkyard and pick up a new park/nuetral switch. try that. should fix it.

second do you hear the starter solenoid clicking at all? if it is and the engine is not turning over then either your starter or your battery is going/is bad.

third if the car is a manual get the wire diagram and pinout for the clutch interlock switch and just bypass it. also check the relay with a known good one.

hope this helps.

:rawk: :2f2f:

[NIK90s13]

Check fuses, then try to jump start it, Than try to temperarly bypass the clutch safty switch. Post the results, Expecially if it starts!!!!!! I hope it does!!

[NemeGuero]

If it was swapped(auto--> manual).. check the top fuse box connector and make sure that connector is shorted.

[!Zar!]

Pull out the ACCD relay and jump it with paperclips.

Or you could just try tapping your starter. 7/10 your starter went bad. I had the same problem a few weeks ago. And it ended up being my starter.

[monkey7]

See if you can push start your car. If you can start the car like that, take out your starter and get it checked at autozone or kragen for free.

[orion::S14]

Never seen an OEM starter form a '95 modle do more than ~100,000 miles.

Listen to (edit-->)"!Zar!"..hit the starter, try again. if that works, buy a new starter.

At least start there.

- Brian

[CaoBoY]

hit it with a metal pipe...couple of times. start it. if that solves your problem, get a new starter.

[trsilvias13]

get a volt meter check battery, maybe your alternator is dead and the car is just running on the battery anand when you stop, you have enough to run electronics but not enough for the car to start. Happen to me on my bike.

More than likely I think it is the starter as well.

[carnal_c30]

hit it with a metal pipe...couple of times. start it. if that solves your problem, get a new starter.

thats what i did... got me home from a road trip :) cept i got dirty looks from people when i left my motor running filling gas

sounds like the same problem I had...

[jdm_s14_zenki]

my guess is starter..or lose cable on alternator?