My car won't even try to start. Please help.

[Mauisnow13]

I am not sure if this is a wiring problem, or something else. When I turn the key to start the car, the accessary relay clicks. But that's it. The car doesn't try to turn over or anything. To drive the car home, we had use the flathead screwdriver trick, where you stick it between the two bolts on the starter. It took a long time, but eventually it started.

I have replaced the battery cables, and I'm checking some of my grounds now. Nothing seems to work though. Any ideas on what is wrong? Could it be a bad starter, relay or ignition? Is it just bad wiring somewhere?

Any help would be highly appreciated.

Thanks,

Mauisnow13

[Mauisnow13]

Oh yeah. Another thing I forgot to mention. When I turned on my headlights for the first time, the went on then like died out. Like faded off.

Thanks.

[Zs-ondabrain]

there should be a fusable link between the starter and the engine harness. Use an OHM's meter to make sure it's still good. Snug up the starter wire and make sure ALL of your grounds are tight and making good contact. The main ground wire should be to the right of the starter, above the engine harness, pull it grind the metal and re-attach it.

That should give you a start on the road to recovery. Can't tell ya too much without the Year of Z you have. what year is it?

Good luck,

Dave.

[Mauisnow13]

1970 240z

[Mauisnow13]

what is a fusable link?

[JimmyZ]

what is a fusable link?

Not sure what it's like on the 1970 model. Mine is a '71 and someone took my fusible link off and just went with straight wires. The link I think he's talking about belongs to the thick white wire going towards the starter about the same level as the starter.

If you've ever installed a radio in a car you may have noticed a cylindrical tube holding a fuse. (Tube is usually either clear or black and sometimes opaque.) This is one type of fusible link. The other style is an enlarged inline section in a wire that if overloaded needs to be replaced. I've seen these in a few newer cars. Don't think the Z's use this later type.

If it took you a while to jump the starter with a screwdriver and the screwdriver was making GOOD contact then it sounds like a loose battery cable. It could also be that the solenoid is sticking or contacts in the starter are corroded. If you check the battery cables and all is well on both ends of them and all of your starter's wires have clean good connections then it's time to suspect the starter. Do one last thing and turn the lights on an try starting. If the lights dim or go off when trying to start then suspect the aforementioned items.

There is a very slim chance that your ignition switch is acting up but I'd suspect everything else first. Voltmeters are cheap a radio shack and harbor freight. Try testing for voltage at the starter's solenoid wire if you think it might be the ignition switch.

Sorry for the long winded post.

Jim

[beandip]

There in Nampa , there is a super guy that knows all you need to know about Z cars. Idaho Z Car. Kim Blough is the owner and he is a great guy. 208 466 0004 I am thinking that he may have shut down the shop over the Holidays but give him a call. Gary:rambo: