Starter clicks but car does not want to start

[D1GP]

so this problem started happening a few months ago. back then, it would take about 2 turns of the key to start, then 3, then 4, and so on... now i have to turn the key about 15 or so times before i can start my car. ive searched but couldn't find anything. it seems like it may have something to do with the ignition. any inputs?

*EDIT - See post #22 for solution to the problem*

[skylindrftr]

Check the charge of your battery, this happened to my car when the battery started going and it didn't want to hold a charge. You can go into any Sears and have the battery tested.

[na3j nitsuj]

starter is failing...need to get another one...

[idlafie]

Click on the attached link for a quick review of your starter system:

http://www.familycar.com/classroom/starting.htm

Make sure you troubleshoot all your components one by one to figure out what your problem is. Check your clutch relay along with the safety switch that's on your clutch pedal to make sure it still works, along with your ignition switch. Remember, it's ONLY the START position on the ignition switch that goes bad, everything else on the switch works fine - fooling you into thinking the ignition switch is still good. Easiest way to test the battery is to use a voltmeter on it while someone starts the car. If it drops below 10-11 volts as you start the car, then it might be time for a new battery. Check everything else first before you jack the car up & check the starter. Look at the wires going to the starter & make sure they're all fine. A cut or short in the wires can cause starting problems. Leave checking the starter for last...its usually a dirty job to pull it. Only way to really test it is to take it to Autozone or Kragen & have them test it on their machine. It puts a load on the starter as it's being tested letting you know if the starter is still good.
Chances are it's probably something like the ignition switch, clutch switch or relay that's causing your problem. Try those first before you start looking at the starter.
Anyhow, hope this helps...Good luck!!
ID

[coreansurfer]

bypass the starter completely, i did it.

this video made more than a year ago, i did as a temp fix because my starter completely broke

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-554327956501889477&hl=en

[Koopa Troopa]

The click you're hearing is the starter trying to engage but the little pin things inside of it just arn't making the connection or they're stuck. A 1lbs ball peen hammer usually solves this problem.

[k0uki]

i had the same issue, i replaced the starter and same thing. turned out to be the battery

[g6civcx]

Is it a loud click (starter) or a faint click (relay)?

[farazshah]

I am having a similar problem where my starter only clicks once and nothing cranks...any ideas? I replaced the relay and had the starter tested at autozone (it was working great there).

[downshift_sideways]

Check the ground and positive locations on the starter.

Try banging on the starter a few time with something to mess with the solenoid.

Check your battery + and - Terminals.

If you need a new ka24de starter. I have 3 PM me.

[240cracker]

i had this same problem... i changed the starter out 3 times and it still did it. sometimes id be in my old S14 for more then an hour just waiting for it to ignite.

that shit made me so mad haha. never found out exactly what it was but i tried several things. the last thing i should have tried would have been the ignition switch. GOOD LUCK

[ManoNegra]

Having the same issue only thing is I already replaced the starter. Put in another used one from a KAE (this is an S14) with the same result and got a reman one from the store and, again, same thing:
Car doesn't start on key on, takes several attempts to start. Hear a soft click on occasion which makes me think it's the relay. Turning off radio, fan, putting it on neutral and leaving key on acc for a bit seems to work best. Don't ask how I found that out...
About to start troubleshooting clutch interlock/safety switch, relay, battery, etc when I get a chance.
I'm good at wrenching but not so good with the electronics. Anyone care to suggest easy ways to test mentioned components?

[240love]

starter relay???

[D1GP]

thanks for the input

Is it a loud click (starter) or a faint click (relay)?

i believe it may be the relay clicking whenever i turn the key and sometimes, when i hit the sweet spot, the starter would engage. i just keep turning the key and if i hold it at start at the right time, the motor will fire up. ill test the battery tomorrow and bang on the starter.

[g6civcx]

It may be your ignition switch.

[240love]

thats what was wrong with mine and my friends

[240cracker]

thanks for the input



i believe it may be the relay clicking whenever i turn the key and sometimes, when i hit the sweet spot, the starter would engage. i just keep turning the key and if i hold it at start at the right time, the motor will fire up. ill test the battery tomorrow and bang on the starter.

haha man thats EXACTLY what my shit did. if u ever figure it out PM please and tell me wtf it was! u must have S14 cuz i heard it does that a lot on s14's

[D1GP]

haha man thats EXACTLY what my shit did. if u ever figure it out PM please and tell me wtf it was! u must have S14 cuz i heard it does that a lot on s14's

s13 actually haha pos 240s. ill definitely post up once i get it figured out.

[serturbo]

You need to track down the problem logically. Just go through the components one by one to eliminate components that are working. The clicking is most likely the starter solenoid. Check to make sure the starter is getting power when the solenoid clicks and go from there.

[racepar1]

Next time the starter just clicks, whack it with something a couple of times. If it starts fine after that then replace it! While it may work fine for a while after that it WILL happen again and next time thw brute force technique might not work anymore. If whacking it makes no difference then you have to troubleshoot further. Removing the starter is pretty easy, you can do it from the top, so you should be fine if it is the starter. Just say no to autozone or pep-boys starters, while they may be cheap they suck ass!

[noequalibrium]

any news on whats wrong with your car? i am having the same problem with my Red top SR. thanks!

[D1GP]

i have fixed the problem. it was a bad ignition switch. 30 dollar fix from checker and pretty easy to do. the temp solution which i found helpful when i had the problem was to just move the key slowly between 'on' and 'start' as opposed to just cranking the key from 'off' to 'start' as i have originally stated. thank you to all who have chimed in.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y288/D1GP/240sx/DSC_0266.jpg
my friend kinda broke it when we were diagnosing it haha.

[noequalibrium]

dang, $30...i just called autozone here in florida and they said $119. comes with keys and everything else. i want a $30 price tag too! lol.

EDIT: that $119 price is for the complete assembly. I went to that checker place you got yours from and it says $30.

Did you have to use a different key when you purchased just the switch?

[Irukandji]

I had the same exact symptoms as you, but mine was a faulty starter.

[sxe]

isnt this your nuetral saftey switch, it happened in my DD 91 toyota pick up.. and it was a nuetral saftey switch, behind the clutch pedal, or if its automatic, its in the shifter assembly

[ESmorz]

My car is doing the exact same thing.

Now it wont start at all =(

But I don't know a way to tell exactly what it is.

[D1GP]

Did you have to use a different key when you purchased just the switch?

no, same key.

[ESmorz]

So today I needed to go to the doctors so I had to do a rolling start lol.

I'm pretty sure my starter is DOA