S13 Ka24de "click" (WONT START)

[s13ways]

I know, One more of these storys. Here's the info. S13 ka24de automatic. Started two day's ago and drove no problem. No it just clicks.
-took out the starter and had it bench tested. (passed flying colors and even
looks brand new still)
-Battery and connections are good (dash lights stay on when I try to turn over)


My three questions
1.)Automatics don't have a starter relay correct?
2.)Thats what the neutral safety switch is for correct?
3.)Would car start with a faulty non working neutral safety switch?

[kb1991]

alternator...

[stinky_180]

is your car in park...

[keistyle]

have you tried starting it in neutral.

It might be the relay.

[racepar1]

It is almost certainly the ignition switch. That's like THE most common 240sx problem ever. The crimps on the switch housing come loose and the switch loses connection on the inside. Replace the ignition switch, don't argue...

[s13ways]

Car is in park! And tried Neutral

If it was altenator it would still start. Correct?

I will check the switch. Why would my starter go "click" if the switch is not plugged in? Not getting enough volts?

[racepar1]

Car is in park! And tried Neutral

If it was altenator it would still start. Correct?

I will check the switch. Why would my starter go "click" if the switch is not plugged in? Not getting enough volts?

Don't check it. Do what I said and go buy a new one. It loses connection inside the switch and doesn't send enough voltage. You won't be able to see anything wrong unless you know what to look for. You obviously don't know what to look for.

[r20crazy]

I'm ASSuming you had the battery load tested already? just because lights are on/don't dim doesnt mean battery is good. it may have a surface charge but not the deep charge needed to turn car over.

[s13newb]

Check the batt with a volt meter have someone try to turn the motor if volts go under 9.5 -/+ .2 then batt aint good and dun take it to autozone they just check if it holds a charge.

[s13newb]

Oh yea dun buy parts dat you dun need test dont guess ..

[racepar1]

Anyone who works on cars for a living raise your hand...

:wavey:

Oh, look I'm the only one with my hand up...

There's no point to testing, I KNOW for a FACT what it is. I've seen this a hundred times. I don't even bother to check stuff anymore when I see this problem, I just sell the customer an ignition switch. I haven't been wrong yet...

This is seriously one of the top two 240 problems ever...

[s13ways]

Battery is good. I put in my other 240 and started it right up no problem. I will try switch the ignition switch with my other 240 and see if that works. It's just the whole key part with pigtail correct. Wouldn't it not even go "click" if it was the ignition switch?

Really aprriciate the help. But does anyone know if automatics have a starter relay because mine doesn't but my 5spd does. wierd.

[racepar1]

Battery is good. I put in my other 240 and started it right up no problem. I will try switch the ignition switch with my other 240 and see if that works. It's just the whole key part with pigtail correct. Wouldn't it not even go "click" if it was the ignition switch?

Really aprriciate the help. But does anyone know if automatics have a starter relay because mine doesn't but my 5spd does. wierd.

I'm going to stop helping you if you don't listen to me...

You just need the electrical part, no key or anything. It screws onto the back of the key cylinder with two littloe screws...

[s13newb]

Didnt mean to hurt ur feelings man . My bad just trying to help

[tommytwo40hands]

http://zilvia.net/f/tech-talk/114304-starter-relay-location.html

[lazysk8er2]

not gonna lie racepar1 is right lol i have the same problem. the old owner thought it was the starter and changed it twice. its an s13 auto coup with 76k miles hahaha

i came along bought the car for dirt cheap and drove it away lol

change the switch.

[doomviillain]

stop trouble shooting, its the ignition switch my friends automatic had the same problem. take racepar1's advice dood

[doomviillain]

Anyone who works on cars for a living raise your hand...

:wavey:
:wavey:
backyard mechanic

[s13ways]

Well I put another starter I had laying around in today and it starts right up. I wonder if the switch is staying on like that post Starter relay location (http://zilvia.net/f/114304-starter-relay-location.html) .( Link doesn't work). I guess we will see how this starter holds up.

[s13ways]

so car starts right up today. Time will tell if its ignition switch

[racepar1]

Well I put another starter I had laying around in today and it starts right up. I wonder if the switch is staying on like that post Starter relay location (http://zilvia.net/f/114304-starter-relay-location.html) .( Link doesn't work). I guess we will see how this starter holds up.

so car starts right up today. Time will tell if its ignition switch

You have no idea how many times we have all heard this before...

Good luck...

[240sx123$]

lol, If people dont wanna listen, you cant force them to.

He'll replace the switch when hes replaced everything else first.

[heavenboundkevin]

10 bucks says he replaced the switch, and just said it was the starter to not sound like a dumbass for not listening.

[ThomasJamal]

There's no point to testing, I KNOW for a FACT what it is. I've seen this a hundred times. I don't even bother to check stuff anymore when I see this problem, I just sell the customer an ignition switch. I haven't been wrong yet...

This is seriously one of the top two 240 problems ever...


So I'm having the same problem and I'm wondering, just for the hell of it, if there is any way to test the switch? Since I'm stuck at home for about 2 more hours (autozone is a long walk) I figure I might as well test the switch so I know for sure when I go to the store.

[creyes13491]

YUPP! respar1 is right. i couldnt agree more. cuz my car has the same problem. its the ignition switch.

[ThomasJamal]

I have a manual, by the way. Is this a problem mostly for autos?

[racepar1]

So I'm having the same problem and I'm wondering, just for the hell of it, if there is any way to test the switch? Since I'm stuck at home for about 2 more hours (autozone is a long walk) I figure I might as well test the switch so I know for sure when I go to the store.

You check the voltage on the start signal wire. It should be about battery voltage when you crank the engine.

[s13ways]

10 bucks says he replaced the switch, and just said it was the starter to not sound like a dumbass for not listening.

Haha interweb thug!:eek3d:

I guess we will see if it was the switch. It's been two days and lots of luck so far. I only start it to get other things in the back yard. Just trying to sell it but want it fixed before she goes. Thanks for all the help. By the way not one person answered where the starter realy is for automatics. My guess is they don't have them.

[chetacheese]

i have this same issue and ill be another person to have this issue. but ill try racepar1's solution and ill put in my 2 cents.

[240sxftww]

id go with the relay or the ignition switch ..

happens at lot on s13s..

is your car lowered? check your harness.

[ThomasJamal]

So my car still won't start.

I tested the resistance from the ignition switch and it was fine and I also tried bypassing the switch at the harness plug to see if that would start it and still nothing. Seem like if the problem were the ignition switch I could at least hotwire the damn thing.

Also got my starter bench tested and it passed. Still doesn't turn over.

[chetacheese]

alright so my car, specifically, didnt need a new ignition switch. this has happened many times before but when the battery isnt fully charged, the starter doesnt have enough cranking power, therefore the starter would just click. i jump started it using my trickle charger and my car started right up, first easy step is to check and make sure the battery is fully charged. mine said 13.xx volts but still didnt start the car. im sure it still could be the ignition switch but as soon as i can get one, im gonna replace it. i just dont ever wanna see this issue again.

bottomline....ignition switch wasnt needed, but maybe it will to prevent further issues.

[s13ways]

i have this same issue and ill be another person to have this issue. but ill try racepar1's solution and ill put in my 2 cents.

Don't do what racepar1 said. You don't just start buying $100 dollar parts without knowing there bad. Thats why he hasn't said nothing yet but is probally read every post on this thread. Appriciate the advice a bunch but sounds like a backyard russian mechanic. " just replace that part and go from there". Well not all of us are rich and thus us owning 240's. Anyways long story short DO NOT TRUST ANYTHING SHUCKS OR AUTOZONE SAY'S ABOUT YOUR STARTER. Obviously they're test's aren't that good in my situation. They should pay for all the time and bolts I took apart for this damn problem.

O and by the way, my car starts right up. ....and still starts

[zylvia213]

Im another one with the same problem... just that my coupe is a 5 speed with SR swap. Ill be honest ive done everythin from battery, starter to checking wires and replaces battery cables and no luck. Now most of the times my car wont start but sometimes it does for some weird reason. Anyway I will be replacing the ignition switch.

By the way what are the price on these puppies?

[stinky_180]

Don't do what racepar1 said. You don't just start buying $100 dollar parts without knowing there bad. Thats why he hasn't said nothing yet but is probally read every post on this thread. Appriciate the advice a bunch but sounds like a backyard russian mechanic. " just replace that part and go from there". Well not all of us are rich and thus us owning 240's. Anyways long story short DO NOT TRUST ANYTHING SHUCKS OR AUTOZONE SAY'S ABOUT YOUR STARTER. Obviously they're test's aren't that good in my situation. They should pay for all the time and bolts I took apart for this damn problem.



Wow wtf? I've had the same exact problem and it was indeed the ignition switch. I didn't buy any 100 dollar part either. I swapped with one of my friends and it started right up. Went to the junk yard and bought it for close to 10 bucks. You honestly sound like the backyard russian mechanic. I don't know racepar but I do know that he works at a shop and is probably ASE certified.