s14 owner needs help

[the40sondec]

i bought this s14 a while back that i thought was going to be a easy project. it wasnt running at the time. The guy told me that the car just needed a clutch and everything would be fine. He wasn't sure but i took his word. I decided that i would pull the motor just to inspect it and see what else could be wrong. I get the motor out and pull the tranny off. to my surprise the clutch and flywheel just fall off....... WTF! I looked at the crank and all the threads were stripped.... ain't this some shit. so i start my rebuild process. get a new crank, bearings, rods, pistons etc.... Assemble everything ready to make power. put the motor back in the car, wire everything up and think I'm in the clear. there were a few cut, spiced and rewired wires behind the radio. i put them in the right spot and proceeded. There were more spliced wires by the fuse box, from an old alarm i assume?? i turn the key, fuel pump works, power everywhere but the motor wont turn over. i check all the fuses and none are blown, replaced a few relays and still nothing.
i hard wired the starter signal to the battery for a quick sec to make sure the starter works. the motor turns over. i had my boy get in and turn the key while i tried that again, getting no spark. we have been fighting with this car for about a week now. i dabble in ellectronics and wiring a little bit but not a pro. Im running out of ideas. not tryna get raped buy electrical shop but thats the next step.... need help!

[SR240DET]

what engine?

KA24DEvelopment.com :: ECU Diagnostics (http://www.ka24development.com/ecu_codes.html)

If KA, do a self diagnostic test and post up what you find.

KA-T.org - The Home of 1000+ whp/7 sec Turbo KA's (http://ka-t.org/dohc_distributor.php) - Then check the distributor.

If it really is electrical then grab your multimeter and get to work http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/240sx/1996/el.pdf.

[the40sondec]

my bad, its a sr20. and im about to have my dad run through it with the multimeter 2day.

[SR240DET]

my bad, its a sr20. and im about to have my dad run through it with the multimeter 2day.

that will be your best bet, there is only so much people can do on a forum when it comes to electrical issues.

Nissan Factory Service Manual (FSM) (http://www.phase2motortrend.com/nifasemaf.html) -FSM if you don't have one.

[the40sondec]

that will be your best bet, there is only so much people can do on a forum when it comes to electrical issues.

Nissan Factory Service Manual (FSM) (http://www.phase2motortrend.com/nifasemaf.html) -FSM if you don't have one.

yea i kno, the manuals are hellping alot. i will go as far as i can with them

[the40sondec]

i checked the ecu, itrs throwing code 55 so everything is good.got the battery charged, my dad cleaned the terminals and the car started to crank over then stopped. im going too check the starter signal connection to see if its bad, and re check fuses and relays again

[half-breed]

when you got it to crank did it crank hard? or did it barely crank?

[JN1AS4]

I had similar problems with my ka powered s14. It ended up being that black/red plug on the positive battery terminal had shorted out...so be sure to check that. hopefully that helps!

[the40sondec]

when you got it to crank did it crank hard? or did it barely crank?
first it bairly cranked. this morning i had jumper cables hooked to my parrents van and it cranked harder. it turned over then stopped.
then i got it to turn over again. i checked fluids and i was almost out of brake fluid. i added more but didnt get a chance to check for bubbles cuz my hands were freezing. the car has a miata batter, not my choice but is it to small? my boy had the same battery in his s13 hatch and it worked fine.

I had similar problems with my ka powered s14. It ended up being that black/red plug on the positive battery terminal had shorted out...so be sure to check that. hopefully that helps!

ima check that, it looks a little rusted

[the40sondec]

recent updates:
i have power everywhere now. the car turns over hard as hell but i dont think its gettin any spark. ecu not throwing any codes so im thinkin either the coil pacs or cas is bad...

[fliprayzin240sx]

Take the spark plugs, connect it to the coilpack and ground it on the head while you crank it to make sure you are getting spark. If thats good, then double check the mechanical timing of the engine. Put the engine to TDC and make sure the CAS is lined up properly under there.

[the40sondec]

i will do that 2day, hope to see more progress

[the40sondec]

Take the spark plugs, connect it to the coilpack and ground it on the head while you crank it to make sure you are getting spark. If thats good, then double check the mechanical timing of the engine. Put the engine to TDC and make sure the CAS is lined up properly under there.

i tried this. getting no spark at all....

[the40sondec]

my dad checked the ignitor with a multimeter. the continuity for 3 of the 4 prong side were about the same, arround 4.18 while the #2 spot was about 2.89 i think... does this mean its bad?

[irritatedmax]

Use your key to lock the and unlock the door, then try to start it.

My S14 wouldn't start (I don't recall if it would crank, but I think so), and I tried this. It worked. During the course of whatever I had been working on, the stock SE security system had disabled it. Locking and unlocking resets the security system.

Stupid simple so might as well try it. You never know.

[the40sondec]

Use your key to lock the and unlock the door, then try to start it.

My S14 wouldn't start (I don't recall if it would crank, but I think so), and I tried this. It worked. During the course of whatever I had been working on, the stock SE security system had disabled it. Locking and unlocking resets the security system.

Stupid simple so might as well try it. You never know.
lol, that is simple. i would be mad and happy if that was all it was. i kno my da didnt start when i first got it because i unhooked the battery, the alarm dissabled the ignition. it could just be.
but if that was the case, wouldnt it not turn over?

[the40sondec]

bout to try the alarm key thing 2day, its been snowin crazy on and off lately so i didnt get a chance to do it. wish me luck...

[the40sondec]

still no progress :confused:

[the40sondec]

ok. i got a brand new sr harness, converted it over. everything is wired up correctly and sealed. and i replaced the ignition switch (it had some loose connections). turn the key, motor turns over hard but still no spark. i checked the ecu to see if it was throwing any codes. its blinking code 12 for the maf. would that mean its bad or just dirty from sitting so long?

[irritatedmax]

It was asked above in a multipart question and you responded "I did that", but have you checked the timing with a timing light and made sure your base timing is all correct?

It also says you checked the ignitor, but have you swapped it out with another?

These mystery gremlins are miserably depressing. Don't give up!

[irritatedmax]

To elaborate, if your timing is far enough off, it won't start as well. I guess I don't know how you are checking for spark.

A side note: If try using the timing light and it doesn't light up, you aren't getting spark.

[the40sondec]

i set the timing according to the marks on the timing chain and its maiting points, then after taking the cas out i set to tdc but i havent used a timing gun yet. next on my long ass list of things to do :duh:

[THEminusMAN]

I have a similar issue, Finally got it to turn over, i hear the fuel pump, got no spark. Im going to leave the garage today with a running engine, so I will get back at you with what it took to get it to fire.

[THEminusMAN]

IT"S ALIVE! ok, all it took for mine to start was switch the fuel lines around. It ran good, im relieved. Figured that after buying an sr20 with a blown turbo the motor would knock and be jacked up, but it sounds strong and purrs o sooo smooth, good luck man.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Try to borrow a known good ECU, could be a bad ECU too. Just be wary that if something is wrong in the wiring, it could potentially fry that ECU too. Also, double check all the grounds.

[the40sondec]

thanks guys. the harness that was on the car first was all hacked up, not sure if some wires were grounded out or not. when i re-did it i converted the harness with precision lol nothing exposed or with bad connection, and thoroughly wrapped. but there is a great possibility that the ecu can be bad smh... any1 in the 757 area that can help me rule out a few problems? ecu, maf, and cam angle sensor are left to check. its on a sr maf but i have a 732 maf i will be using after the car gets running

[the40sondec]

IT"S ALIVE! ok, all it took for mine to start was switch the fuel lines around. It ran good, im relieved. Figured that after buying an sr20 with a blown turbo the motor would knock and be jacked up, but it sounds strong and purrs o sooo smooth, good luck man.

ima try this just to see if anything happens

[the40sondec]

i checked the lines out and i have them in the ryt order already, unless the fuel filter doesnt come b4 the pressure regulator....

[THEminusMAN]

Just so were clear, the line from the fuel filter doesnt go to the regulator. It goes to the rail, the regulator is at the back of the fuel flow. The return line runs to the regulator. I had my fuel filter line running to the regulator, FTL... good luck

[THEminusMAN]

Did that cure your issue?