What Relay Is This & Why Is My Car Making It Click Instead Of Start?

[NickIsAZero]

1995 240sx.
Out of nowhere my car decides it doesn't want to start, whenever the starter is supposed to be turning on this relay buzzes. I removed it & swapped it with another and it's the same result... What relay is this and where should I start?

http://i43.tinypic.com/3520pbk.jpg

[Andres_G]

Nick, you truly are a zero. This information is in the FSM. However, since you asked AND posted a picture, I am going to help you out.

From top to bottom.

Ignition relay - 1

Accessory relay

Ignition relay - 2

Rear window defogger relay

(Page EL-191 of the USDM FSM)

Keep us posted.

[NickIsAZero]

I appreciate that, I searched for about 15min and didn't really find anything that would help me out. What would cause this to start clicking instead of actually starting the car?

[s14jesse]

Check to see if ur signal wire is connected to ur starter it's a small plug
Or mayb ur starter is bad

[slydin240sx]

I would verify that the starter is either good or bad before worrying about relays. I had a issue where my 95 zenki wouldn't start and I thought it was something with the factory alarm causing the no start. Turned out it was my starter crapping out.

[mr.man.performance]

Personally, I would (in this order): check engine and chassis grounds, check battery voltage, check for power and signal at the starter, test starter. Odds are, it's not the relay but in the case it might be, it's really easy to test.

[spartanmisfit]

Ive had this problem before. My problem was not actually the relay although it was clicking a bunch and the car would not start. I had a wire that was pinched and rubbing along my tire under my driverside fender.

[Croustibat]

When the starter relay just clicks, either the starter motor is knackered or the battery is drained. Well, most of the time.

Starter engine wiring is very simple; 1 big unprotected wire going from battery to starter, one smaller that goes through the relay, which engages the starter "clutch" and command the starter to turn.

If it clicks, the command is ok, the power line is not.

or the engine is completely seized, but that is not a common issue.

[Walperstyle]

Its probably dead battery

So, if you wanted to test the starter, just jump it. Make sure you are in neutral, and standing off to the side just incase. Wouldn't want any of you noobies to run yourselves over.

[spartanmisfit]

Lol. Nicely said

[Andres_G]

Its probably dead battery

So, if you wanted to test the starter, just jump it. Make sure you are in neutral, and standing off to the side just incase. Wouldn't want any of you noobies to run yourselves over.

This sounds like a reasonable explanation. Charge that bad boy! Remember, 12.8 is a fully charged battery.

12.6 = 75% charged
12.4 = 50% charged
12.2 = 25% charged
12.0 = your car will definitely not start.

Have you tried push starting it?

[NickIsAZero]

Well at the time the car was connected to jumper cables, could be my starter beginning to go out. Haven't really had time to mess with it since this happened.