Won't start sometimes...
 

Recently in the S12, I turn the key and it won't start. All I get is a click and that's all. Seems to be if I let it idle back to normal before switching off the engine it works okay or if I just switch off engine then don't come back for a while it works. But for example, tonight I went to get petrol then when I filled up and got back into the car it wouldn't start for about 10-15 mins of trying, then tried once more and it started up.

So I either wait for 5-10 mins before switching engine off

or

Switch it off right away and then don't come back for an hour or something.

Any one know what this is, seems stupid that I can't do something simple like get petrol or call into the shop.

Sounds like its flooding. If it doesnt start straight away take out the Fuel pump fuse and turn it over for around ten seconds to clear it. Then put it back in again and try it. May need an injector cleaner in the tank or even a new fuel filter which are only a tenner. Hope this helps matey :cool:

sounds like your starter motor needs replacing

is it cranking over on the starter?
as above sounds like the starter motor if not.

in emergency hit the starter with a hammer and a bar lol.(free's it up)

Bit of an update. It still does it sometimes but I'm not sure if this is pure coincidence or it's actually doing something but when I go from say "D" in the auto gear box and push it up into "P" while I turn the ignition it seems to start.....

dont you have to be in park P to start?

Yeah that's what I'm saying when it's in P just by itself all I get is a click and the fans kicking in but engine won't start. I have to like jiggle gear stick up into P through the other gears while turning key and then something catches and engine starts. Fella in work was saying maybe it's the inhibitor switch?

okay, another update. It's nothing to do with gears as i've been starting car each time in N for neutral. Narrowed the problem down and its simply a heating issue. If the engine is hot it wont start and notice the twin fans aren't kicking in, they start and stop. So i have to wait for engine to cool down before it starts again which has left me stranded in places up to half an hour.

Any advice?

The starting has nothing to do with the fans I wired in. They have fused and relayed power and are not in anyway linked to the starting system. They are activated via a temp switch I installed in the thermostat housing.
I'm almost certain your problem is fueling :cool:

Yeah thats what I mean, i think there may be a loose wire with the fans as they aren't kicking in when the engine gets hot. I opened the bonnet last night and it was like opening an oven, looked to the fans and they weren't spinning. Anytime i've got into car after driving it for a while, say calling into the shop, when I get back in and try to start the engine, it wont until its cooled down which takes 15-20 mins of sitting as everytime it eventually starts the temperature guage is down below the middle.

The temp switch is activated at 90 degree's ie when the temp is roughly in the middle of the gauge. Even if the engine was hot it should start. To rule out the fans which I'm certain is not the fault, I've got a few of the standard water pump bolted fans. If you sort me out the postage, I could send you one.

You still havent stated wether the engine cranks over or not or wether its a click then silence. If its a click then silence you need to replace the starter motor, end of.

it's a click then silence but even at that, it runs absolutely fine when it's a cold start and when the needle went above the middle i looked at fans and they weren't spinning? Just seems odd that when it does start the needle for temp is at the low end.

Will I just bring it to a mechanic and ask for a new starter motor?

Which demonstrates that heat is screwing the motor in some way imho. AFAIK theres no thermal inhibitor that prevents starting.

hmm well if the heat is screwing the motor surely it'd just do the same to a new starter motor?

not nescessarily, heat can exacerbate issues in old parts.

I am assuming the click you describe is coming from under the inlet manifold where the solenoid is.

Because the solenoid and starter are wired in series, if the solenoid is clicking and the starter isnt turning diagnosis is pretty straightforward.

Super ace ive been having the same problem won't start if the engine is warm etc. My dad took the starter to bits and cleaned it up It worked fine for weeks but its back again :( Horrible feeling knowing that your gonna be stranded lol. Anyway ive been advised by some mechanics including my dad (and now Dr Silvia!) That the soliniod is to blame.

So i thought ill just buy a new starter motor, that way ive got a new shiney bit. So i tryed to buy a new one through the nissan parts department in my work, only to find out that they no longer make them anymore so are no longer disturbuted :(. But the still make the soliniod unit it should cost you about £53 quid odd from a nissan parts dept. Mines is on order from amsterdam, hope this helps.

M.T

Just get one from an S13 as I'm sure they are they same. I bluebird/sunny twin cam might be the same also

or the scrapheap; yes they arent new but some yards will have tested units on the shelf which area damn sight cheaper than the auto factors. Beinga distress part [something you only buy when its broke] getting opne new will always cost arms and legs