Starter Problem?

[trsixer]

I went to get gas in my 78 280 this afternoon. After filling up, she was dead. I can hear the solenoid at the starter click, but the starter wont turn. No problem on the battery. I ended up push starting, and it runs fine (until I got home, and the problem was still there).

This is the first time I've had this happen - I drive it daily.

Anything else I should be checking? Do starters go bad in this manner? Are they a bear to replace?

Thanks in advance.

Ed A.

Boulder, CO

[ZmeFly]

see if that helps, if not take the starter off its easy enough and take it to your local parts store

most will test it for free

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by trsixer

Anything else I should be checking? Do starters go bad in this manner? Are they a bear to replace?

Thanks in advance.

Remove and Clean Battery cables, and clean Battery posts.

[GunnerRob]

I've done this so many times that I can swap one out in ten minutes!

I'd try what BambiKiller240 suggests first. If that doesn't do the trick, make sure you get the correct starter for your Z. Preferably a Nissan unit.

BTW, Napa sells them with a "lifetime" warranty that I can vouch for. And I've noticed that starters generally last about 3-4 years.

[59ghia]

After you jump started it what did your amp meter read? Was it in the negative? Do you have access to a volt meter? With car running (after jump start) you should have about 14 colts at battery

Hope it helps

Dave

[ZmeFly]

looks like someone was dipping into the 45

just kidding but i couldnt resist:cross-eye

[Alan Pugh]

When you start the car the starter solenoid pulls in which throws the starter drive gear out to mesh with the flywheel, as this meshing of the two gears happens the second purpose for the starter being there happens.

Bolted to the back of the rod that gets puulled into the solenoid is a 3mm thick piece of copper that makes contact with the positive and earth of the motor, which makes a large spark and consequently wears away the copper plate at the negative (or earth) side of the plate. This is the most common reason for a starter to stop rotating.

Alan.

[Daniel]

When you clean the battery cables don't over look the location where they attach to the car.Also the old get me home trick is to tap the starter witha hammer.Sometimes that will give you that "one more time"

[JEFF]

I feel that Alan Pugh has it right!

I have taken apart 3 starters to fix this very thing.

Clean/smooth out the contact surface and reassemble.

Worked all three times for me.

- Jeff

[marco280]

need help ,,I just changed my altenator..car was running fine ...but now after i put a new alte.. doesnt start

[sblake01]

If it ran fine before you changed the alternator how would anyone here know what you did to cause it not to start? Dredging up 7+ year old threads won't help either. Either do a search or retrace you steps......

[marco280]

sorry I didn't answer ....I change the relay and it doesnt start yesterday 8/16/2010 ... i push the AFM flab..and the pump works, but doesn't start...i put starting fluidin the intake and the car runs ...i have power to the injector but today i will check for pulse...what if i check and it doesn't have any pulse ....what the next step...thanks for your help!!