Starter issue - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

FourtyKid · 02-01-2014, 01:20 AM

I have an issue with my starter. When taken out of the car and hooked to a battery with jumper cables, it works great. But when I put it in the car and try to start it with the starter button (switch panel) it doesn't spin. The gear on the starter moves forward when you press the button and moves back when you let go of the button. When the gear moves forward, it never spins. The engine isn't seized up either so I know that's not the issue. If I let the starter hang away from the transmission it still does the same thing. Take it out and hook it to the battery and it spins great. I am completely at a loss as to how to fix this.

FourtyKid · 02-01-2014, 05:22 PM

Ok I took the battery out and hooked it directly to the starter while the starter is in the car. Now instead of one single click, it keeps clicking over and over. I figured it was a low battery so I hooked my booster pack up to the battery as well. Still the same thing! Click click click click click
OK took the starter cover off so I could see the teeth. Here's a video showing what's happening:
Starter troubles - YouTube

inspire · 02-01-2014, 05:27 PM

make sure those bolts on the bellhousing to the starter are tightened all the way down. if its just doing a single click mine did the same and believe it or not if you just bang on it with like a pipe a few times it might just work, at least thats what it did for mine. make sure when your installing it, the starter fits snug so you know the teeth are lined up.

inspire · 02-01-2014, 05:32 PM

I thought it was the battery too but unless the battery is that old the starter just needs a little wiggle to get running. don't lay into the thing with a hammer lol just get a pipe and knock it a couple times. and make sure its tightened down all the way so there isnt any play

nissandrift! · 02-01-2014, 06:36 PM

What transmission and clutch are you using? You might need to shim the starter.

FourtyKid · 02-01-2014, 06:54 PM

Z32 TT starter, transmission, and clutch.

FourtyKid · 02-02-2014, 06:52 PM

Bump, need this fixed. I might just bite the bullet and buy a new starter....

*fliprayzin240sx* · 02-03-2014, 03:24 AM

Did you get it tested first to make sure its not a shitty starter?

rg3777 · 02-03-2014, 07:43 AM

Take it to a parts place. They will test it for free.

02-01-2014, 01:20 AM	#1
FourtyKid Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 517 Trader Rating: (11) Feedback Score: 11 reviews	Starter issue I have an issue with my starter. When taken out of the car and hooked to a battery with jumper cables, it works great. But when I put it in the car and try to start it with the starter button (switch panel) it doesn't spin. The gear on the starter moves forward when you press the button and moves back when you let go of the button. When the gear moves forward, it never spins. The engine isn't seized up either so I know that's not the issue. If I let the starter hang away from the transmission it still does the same thing. Take it out and hook it to the battery and it spins great. I am completely at a loss as to how to fix this. __________________ @s13cole

02-01-2014, 05:22 PM	#2
FourtyKid Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 517 Trader Rating: (11) Feedback Score: 11 reviews	Ok I took the battery out and hooked it directly to the starter while the starter is in the car. Now instead of one single click, it keeps clicking over and over. I figured it was a low battery so I hooked my booster pack up to the battery as well. Still the same thing! Click click click click click OK took the starter cover off so I could see the teeth. Here's a video showing what's happening: Starter troubles - YouTube __________________ @s13cole

02-01-2014, 06:54 PM	#6
FourtyKid Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 517 Trader Rating: (11) Feedback Score: 11 reviews	Z32 TT starter, transmission, and clutch. __________________ @s13cole

02-02-2014, 06:52 PM	#7
FourtyKid Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 517 Trader Rating: (11) Feedback Score: 11 reviews	Bump, need this fixed. I might just bite the bullet and buy a new starter.... __________________ @s13cole

02-03-2014, 03:24 AM	#8
fliprayzin240sx Man w/ CTSV & a Car Seat Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 17,998 Trader Rating: (19) Rides Gallery: fliprayzin240sx Feedback Score: 19 reviews	Did you get it tested first to make sure its not a shitty starter? __________________ If you think Zilvia has too many assholes... CLICK HERE!!!

02-01-2014, 05:27 PM	#3
inspire Leaky Injector Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Age: 31 Posts: 76 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	make sure those bolts on the bellhousing to the starter are tightened all the way down. if its just doing a single click mine did the same and believe it or not if you just bang on it with like a pipe a few times it might just work, at least thats what it did for mine. make sure when your installing it, the starter fits snug so you know the teeth are lined up.

02-01-2014, 05:32 PM	#4
inspire Leaky Injector Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Age: 31 Posts: 76 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I thought it was the battery too but unless the battery is that old the starter just needs a little wiggle to get running. don't lay into the thing with a hammer lol just get a pipe and knock it a couple times. and make sure its tightened down all the way so there isnt any play

02-01-2014, 06:36 PM	#5
nissandrift! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: twin cities,mn Age: 34 Posts: 29 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	What transmission and clutch are you using? You might need to shim the starter.

02-03-2014, 07:43 AM	#9
rg3777 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: TX Posts: 31 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Take it to a parts place. They will test it for free.