240sx problem starting!

[acslater9]

Hey guys just bought a 240sx It runs and drives strong!

But the last couple of days when I try to start the car It makes this sound like it wants to start but doesn't. After a while of trying it would work but I just hate trying to get it to start its annoying.

When I bought it the guy said he put new spark plugs,battery, and a tune up. So I don't think It could be the battery.

If you guys could help me out I'd appreciate it.

It seems to run perfect whenever the engine has started already, but when I wake up in the morning to start it does not want to start sound like it wants to but doesn't.

Thanks for reading.

[fliprayzin240sx]

It one of two things, either battery is not holding enough juice to start the car or the alternator is starting to suck. Check your battery voltage while you're trying to crank it and see what your voltage is dipping down to. If its going lower than 10v while cranking, that could be your issue right there.

[acslater9]

It one of two things, either battery is not holding enough juice to start the car or the alternator is starting to suck.

What would be the best way to figure out which of those are the problem?

[godsmack]

Ok if the voltage drops that much then jump the battery and start the car. Then check the voltage at the battery. It should be 14v. If it's lower than the alternator is going out. If it's 14v then get your battery checked and also check that you don't have something draining your battery while the car is off.

[robinsone]

starter solenoid maybe, i'd check that too, might be a FSM check for it, measure the resistance and see if it meets spec

[acslater9]

Does It really have anything to do with the battery because once Its starts running there are no problems whatsoever. He also said he put in a new battery 3 months ago.

Where is the best place to check all this out? Autozone? Midas? I don't really know :-/

Thanks guys!

[majgoldfish]

Makes a sound like it wants to start? Is the engine spinning but not firing up? Or do you get clicks from turning the key? Do you hear starter spin but engine doesn't move?

Can you hear the fuel pump prime when you switch the key to 'on'? How long is it priming? Do you hear the priming noise after it starts?

[acslater9]

Makes a sound like it wants to start? Is the engine spinning but not firing up? Or do you get clicks from turning the key? Do you hear starter spin but engine doesn't move?

Can you hear the fuel pump prime when you switch the key to 'on'? How long is it priming? Do you hear the priming noise after it starts?

Yeah the engine spins it just doesn't fire, It happens when the engine hasn't been turned on for a while also.

But once I get it running It runs very good.

I do get clicks now that I think about it. The engine shakes every time I try to turn it on. I don't really know how the fuel pump sounds, sorry.

I hope I gave you some info to help me out. Thanks

[majgoldfish]

You could test your fuel pump out, but sounds to me like that's the issue. To test pump you need a 'T' and a fuel pressure gauge. Install it in then engine bay just after fuel filter, prime the fuel pump by turning car to on and record pressure on gauge. Remove key, check car in an hour or two should be little to no drop in pressure, if its lowered by much the check valve in the pump is likely shot. Also if its not dropping start the car and see what the pressure is at idle, rev the engine with the throttle body in the engine bay, pressure should go up as you rev ... check the FSM for fuel pressure specs

[acslater9]

I'm very confused right now, I turned the car on today and It just turned on like any normal car would. What could be the problem If It's just happening sometimes?

[majgoldfish]

Fuel pumps can also have problems intermittently , as can other things you need to use process of elimination, pm your phone and ill call you and explain a few things if you want

[KiLLeR2001]

You need to replace your ECU coolant temperature sensor.

[acslater9]

You need to replace your ECU coolant temperature sensor.

You say that with such confidence, How'd you come to that conclusion?

[KiLLeR2001]

You say that with such confidence, How'd you come to that conclusion?

Once you get the car running and the car is warmed up, what is your rpms at idle?

When the car is warmed up, if you turn it off, can you start it right back up?

[shift_down]

Very likely its the cts. If you can start it when cold, hut not when warm; it is Cts.

[acslater9]

Once you get the car running and the car is warmed up, what is your rpms at idle?

When the car is warmed up, if you turn it off, can you start it right back up?

The rpms at idle once its warmed is 500.

Yes once it warms up I can start It very easily.

Edit* I just tried right now and I had the car turned on for about 3-5 min, turned it off again and when I try to start it It does not turn on. Also just put new spark plugs ugh!

[KiLLeR2001]

Stock idle should be around 700 to 750 rpm once warmed. Get copper NGK spark plugs. Make sure they are gapped at 0.044". Replace your ECU coolant temperature sensor like I said. That is all.

[acslater9]

Alright decided to catch this on video so I can show you guys my problem I hope you can get a better understanding of this problem and help me out.

I'm doing this because I'm getting different answers and quite frankly I'm totally confused at this point.

Here's the video: Nissan 240sx starting problem - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rG1w9peam0)

Thanks.

[riptor]

power steering belt is too lose or needs to be checked. invest in mulit meter bro. 25 bucks best investment for these cars...especially s13...which from your video it looks like you have. match up the +and - on your meter to your battery, then set meter to vdc. if it drops below 10 when you try and crank. you have dead cell on your batt...if its under 14v while its running. its your alternator...simple. good luck btw and keep us posted

[acslater9]

power steering belt is too lose or needs to be checked. invest in mulit meter bro. 25 bucks best investment for these cars...especially s13...which from your video it looks like you have. match up the +and - on your meter to your battery, then set meter to vdc. if it drops below 10 when you try and crank. you have dead cell on your batt...if its under 14v while its running. its your alternator...simple. good luck btw and keep us posted

Is there a certain brand of multimeter I should be looking for? And where would it be the cheapest to buy from lol

[acslater9]

Alright so I bought a multi meter and checked the volts

When the car was cranking the volts showed up at 10-11 volts. So that means the battery is pretty good. (I guess)

Then when the car turned on the volts were 12-13 volts. So I'm guessing that Its the alternator that's bad right?

What's my next step to fixing this issue buy a alternator? Take it to a shop?

EDIT* I take it all back It is not my Alternator nor battery I just did the test where you remove the negative side of the battery with my car on,lights on,raido, and A/C. I let it sit like that for 5 minutes and It still was on and everything was running.

Still don't know what the problem is should I just take it to a shop and see what they say?

[acslater9]

Alright I just saw that the video I posted yesterday It was the wrong one!

This is the video I was suppose to show you guys! Check it out and tell me what you think is the problem!

Nissan 240sx problem starting - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAlEOVo-6jQ)

Thanks for helping.

[riptor]

ok look..forget what i just said. DO check all your hardware to make sure its all tight. do like flip and the others have stated dude...take a look at coolant temp. sensor (CTS) they are super cheap at the autoparts store...AANNDD its a 20 min job...all you have to do is replace any lost coolant....also do you have an sr or ka?

[acslater9]

so you have a ka or sr....and it SOUNDS like a exhaust leak honestly. i had a bad one when i lost a bolt on my dump...maybe check all your hardware...make sure all your exhaust bolts are tight. if they are all good the low idle might be an IAC or vaccum leak. im still kind of new to this chassis myself...but it sounds to me like a vaccume leak.

I have a KA24DE.

Funny thing you say that because he said I would need to buy the muffler, I have a picture of it.

I don't see any leak though.

Actually all I want to really know Is why my car is not starting when I already started it. And It gets really annoying.

[KiLLeR2001]

Actually all I want to really know Is why my car is not starting when I already started it. And It gets really annoying.

Your car is not working properly because of the coolant temperature sensor like I have stated a few times now. The CTS is a thermistor which changes resistance based on temperature of the coolant inside the engine. When this sensor malfunctions it gives improper readings to the ECU. If the ECU thinks the car is too hot, it won't start the car. Even if you get the car started it'll still run poorly because the ECU is constantly thinking the temperature of the car is hotter/cooler than it actually is.

[acslater9]

Alright I changed the CTS and drove the car around. Seems okay but I can't say It worked I'm going to let the car cool down then turn it on hopefully it worked :x


Edit* Also my idle is still at 500 maybe 550.

[acslater9]

Just tested It and seems to be working! Hopefully it stays like this lol.

I checked the rpms and at idle Its at 600 right now! That's an improvement!

Should I also check the Fuel Pump/Filter just to make sure?

[riptor]

swweet mang! glad you got it figurted out....and doing a full tune up is never a bad idea btw. fuel filter, oil filter, plugs, wires, cap and rotor, air filter, and oil change.

[shift_down]

Finally you listened lol. Many of us, including myself, have had the same issue with the same result. CTS. Glad it got fixed.

[acslater9]

Well bad news everyone, It's still happening now I'm pissed.

I changed the CTS and everything was great until I tried to start the car not too long, about 5 minutes ago.

Now here's the things I've done to it to check whats wrong with it.

-I put brand new NGK Platinum spark plugs in.

-Changed the CTS.

-Checked the battery + alternator (Everything is good on it).

I need suggestions I have no idea what to do next.

Also If you haven't seen the video this is whats happening to it when I don't turn the car on for a while!

Nissan 240sx problem starting - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAlEOVo-6jQ)

Thanks guys :-/

[KiLLeR2001]

If you start the car with the throttle pedal pushed all the way down, does it start right up?

[acslater9]

If you start the car with the throttle pedal pushed all the way down, does it start right up?

Just tried that and It works It's just kinda of shaky when I do It. I did it 5 times and in those 5 tries It turned on 4/5.

It smells like pure gas when I do it also.

[KiLLeR2001]

Loosen up the screw a bit on the IACV until your RPMs reach 750 at idle (when car is fully warmed up).

[91240coupe]

sounds like your starter is going bad. mine is the same thing, i woud try to start the car and i would hear a loud click from the starter. i first thought it was the battery too but it wasnt. try hitting the starter solenoid ( the smaller circular thing above the starter.) dont hit it to hard just tap it like 10 taps. and it should start right up. IF you did all this and it still doesnt want to start then try the other suggestions other people said to check.

[acslater9]

Loosen up the screw a bit on the IACV until your RPMs reach 750 at idle (when car is fully warmed up).

Going to sound stupid but, What is a IACV? And where is it located at?

Thanks.

[shift_down]

Googlize it and then you wont sound stupid. Just a tip

[acslater9]

@Killer2001, Hey is this the screw I need to loosen up for the IACV?

Picture might suck but its the best one I took.

[KiLLeR2001]

Yes, slowly loosen until you see 750 rpm steady.

[acslater9]

Alright got It at 750 rpms, Now what?

[KiLLeR2001]

Now you see how the car drives and see if you still have starting issues...

[acslater9]

When I switched It to Drive or Reverse the car's idle would drop from 750 to 600-650 I don't know If that's normal.

[powermymotor]

i had a problem with my car when it didnt start.. it turn out to be the battery.. it had a dead cel. even when 1 guy say the battery is good.. try a different person they might tell u something else

[shift_down]

Check alternator fuse.

[acslater9]

Just wanted to give an update on how the car's been.

Ever since I did the CTS and IACV the car's been turning on like It should.

I also went to Autozone to check my Battery, Alternator, and Starter and all three are good.

I want to thank everyone who helped me out, Thanks again!

(This can be closed)

[Andres_G]

Give KiLLeR2001 some gold!