Ignition Question

[ambigu0us]

Hey all, so I recently switched the manual transmission from my 1978 280z to an automatic (which came from a '77.)

Since the swap, the ignition doesn't seem to be working. I can turn the engine and hear a click coming from the engine, all the electronics come on, but it seems to not initiate the starter and turn the engine. After a few tries it eventually works, but I feels like it's getting worse and worse.

Any suggestions or recommendations of where I should start looking to solve the problem?

Thanks!

[esmit208]

AMBIGUOUS

On models that early I'm not sure if they had a NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH or exactly what was used to prevent the car from starting while it is in gear. That is the only direction I could possibly point you in. It is also possible that there is a modified switch behind the brake pedal that needs to be changed. Installing an auto trans normally requires some sort of electronic addition that you normally wouldn't have with the manual gearbox. Just a thought. There is some sort of inteface between the ignition switch and the gearbox to allow safe starting.

[Zed Head]

If it eventually works after several tries then you probably have the wires connected correctly.

It sounds like a bad battery or starter connection. Or, if the car was down for a while during the swap you might have a weak battery.

[tlorber]

I'm guessing a faulty connection at either the starter or ground.