Help....Can not get 240Z started

[silimond]

When I try to start my 240Z I get nothing. I have replaced the voltage regulator, starter, and battery cable terminals. It just stop working 2 days ago. Matter of fact, when I try to start the car I loose power to everything. I have put a multimeter on the battery and the starter and the read out is 12.6 V. I know the new starter works because I took the starter off yesterday and took it to the auto parts store for testing. it works just fine. If anyone has in suggestions (maybe my ground wire, wires to the starter, etc.)

[2ManyZs]

First thing to check would be the fusible link and your connections at the starter and battery. The fusible link is the 10 gauge wire that connects to the positive terminal of the batter and goes to the starter solenoid. Check the connections at the solenoid and the plastic connector in the line itself.

Let us know if that doesn't help.....

[silimond]

Yesterday I posted I had a problem starting my 240z. I received a reply (thanks) that stated I should check the 10 gauge wire that connects to the positive battery terminal and goes to the starter. Problem is that I do not have have a wire going to the positive battery terminal, but the positive battery cable. This cable is connected to the starter along with a very small wire (do not know the gauge) which I believe is probably to the ignition. Please note that this little wire is coming out of a harness. I figure this wire is correctly hooked up because I have gotten the car started before in this configuration....however, now I can not get anything. Go figure. There are not many wires going to the starter. You have a negative battery cable, a positive battery cable and this little wire.....and a two prong connection to the wire (i can not think where this two prong connection is coming from....will get back to you all later with that info)

[kmack]

The fusible link is the wire you see coming out of the harness going to the positive terminal of the starter. If the link is broken, then you will not get any power to the car what-so-ever. If you have power (ie. instrument lights, etc.), then the link is good and you have a problem somewhere else.

I think I know why 2many told you the link comes from the battery.....he hasn't worked on a car (or at least a running car) for quite some time!

(Sorry, 2many, I couldn't resist. )

[silimond]

Fusible link is fine. I get power to instruments from time to time. You are correct, the problem is somewhere else but where? Over the next few days I will clean all connections and tighten all connections. I will get back tot he forum on Monday Dec.2 to update you all. If anyone thinks of anything....no matter how unusal let me know.

[EScanlon]

The fact that you are getting power "from time to time" is a prime indicator of a poor connection ready to short circuit on you.

The power to the starter is taken directly from the battery via battery cables, however, the power to the starter SOLENOID is routed through the ignition switch and then to the starter solenoid via the fusible link.

That same fusible link, that little white / red wire going from the harness to the starter, is also the easiest way to disconnect ALL and I mean ALL the car's circuitry from the battery. If that wire doesn't make good connection, you will have nothing but trouble.

I'll try to post a picture here later, but that fusible link MAY appear intact, while in fact being fried inside, or if not fried, broken. That your instruments come on "from time to time" tells me that you do in fact have a broken wire that makes contact "sometimes".

2¢

[2ManyZs]

Oops, sorry for the confusion, sometimes my fingers type faster than my brain can keep up with. Should have proof read my post a little better......:stupid:

[Daniel]

Your post reads that you put your meter on the battery and the starter and it read 12.6v. If you had one end on the battery pos.,the other on the starter pos.,you should have 0 volts or else a bad wire/connection on the pos..The same with the neg.Battery neg to car ground should be 0 .If you get any voltage then it is the car ground at the car needs scraping to make good contact or the neg wire. The point is if the path is good it won't pass thru your meter. If you get a reading ,your meter has become the path.Touch both meter leads to the pos. terminal,no reading huh? No difference if you touch each end of a good wire.A bad wire is the same as not there.Therefore you get a reading when measuring voltage across its length.