projekt_goldfish

OK heres the story!
i have a 92 hatch with an sr20 swap. ive been try to fix this problem for over a month with no sucess it all started when i was doing a compression test.(150 on all cylinders btw) then sparks went flying somewhere around my starter. then it wouldnt start. its push starts fine but after it runs for a while the gauges start goin nuts and dimming.

here is what ive done:
replaced the starter
tested the alternator(good at 14.8v)
replaced the battery
replaced the battery cable(bat. located in the trunk)
checked the fuses and relay(good)
getting 0v at starter signal wire(trying to trace back to ecu)

wondering:
how to check the ignitor chip.
how to test ignition switch in steering column.

any other ideas?

trsebert

which fuses and relays did you check? Because there are several different relays and fuses that you will have to check. Honestly i would check most of the relays and fuses in the engine bay, and there is also the ignition relay that alot of people miss that is sitting up underneath the fender (but inside the engine bay on passenger side, blue). Also, testing the ignitor chip is pretty simple, but I don't think this is your problem. You probably blew a fuse, or relay, or burnt up a wire somewhere. Happy hunting.

You can check the ignitor chip for voltage and continuity with a voltmeter, and take off the lower cowling of the dash and steering column and that should give you nice and easy access to the ignition switch.

nissanfreak317

Sounds like a dead short somewhere. Disconnect your battery and do continuity tests from ground to starter power wire maybe? A visual check should show worn wires and black spots from arcing if this is the issue. It would be near your starter if that's where you saw sparks.