starting the 240

[cardogman1]

Cetainly,

The car doesn't start well. The battery is new, the distributor cap, points, rotor, fuel pump, plugs, points, ignition wires are all new . Complete major tune up done. Carbs adjusted and cleaned. If I let the car sit for more then two days it starts sometimes on the third try very slowly and this morning not at all. Just clicking and then eventually nothing. Installed new clock the other day mechanic may have wired it wrong because it still doesn't work. May have just bought a bad clock. Maybe the clock is draining battery a liitle more then 5 amps but doubtful thats the problem. I know the choke might need small adjustment because I have to pull it back all the way. When I boosted the battery the car started like a champ first time the key turned and real quick.

Thats my situation what do you think.

Regards

Burt

cardogman1

[Zedrally]

Originally posted by cardogman1

snip

Just clicking and then eventually nothing.

cardogman1

Burt this isn't sounding like a mechanical problem, more like electrical. For some reason your battery is discharging, why don't you disconnect the clock and see if this stops the discharge.

Another possibilty is a bad capacitor.

YOu may be getting spark, but it amy not be a strong spark.

I know this sounds stupid, but I had all types of difficulties starting my 260, until it eventually died. [another tread]

After replacing the cap, it started each time first time.

Hope this helps.

Mike

[cardogman1]

Thanks mike I'll check it out really appreciate it. Why then when I hooked up the new battery booster did the car turn over like a bandit on viagra. Your thoughts?

Burt

[Zedrally]

Burt,

I'm a little confused.

Is it not turning over strongly, or turning well and not starting first off?

MN

[ZmeFly]

like you said when you hooked up the NEW battery BOOSTER

you were giving the battery all the power it should have stored for when you go to start the car.

i would tend to agree with mike on this one

[cardogman1]

Zedrally and Zmefly

The car is not turning over strongly and then click click. It's getting enough fuel I think. The clock only draws 5 amps someone told me that that's enogh to drain the battery if not started for a few days. I don't agree with that. Maybe the alternator bit that's not making any noise. Maybe the capacitor like mike said. If only I knew what and where the capicitor is.

I am a functioning illiterate when it comes to automobile mechanics. I may have to take a course there is nobody on Long Island that seems to know anything about 240zs. Although this seems to me to basic that can occur to any vehicle. Your responses are gratefully appreciated keep em comin.

By the way I don't know where you guys are but here in New York it's turning into utah snowing every other day. I got to get out of here.

[Zedrally]

Burt,

I think you have answered your own question in a round-about way.

Firstly, something is draining the battery.

Not having experiance in sub zero temperatures I can't quote battery life in these conditions, however the fact remains that it isn't holding charge.

Maybe a dud battery?

Secondly 5 amp drain on the clock?

I don't think that could be correct. If it is then that could be a good reason for the flat battery.

Capacitor, this only aids spark. So will not have anything to do with turning the motor over.

Alternator, charges the battery but a flat battery needs a good run 2~3 hours to bring it up to charge again. Not at idle either, take it out for a drive.

What to do.

First Charge Battery overnight, disconnect clock and try again.

Question, did it behave like this before?

Mike

[Walter Moore]

It sounds like you have a small short circuit somewhere that is draining your battery, slowly... If you start the car often enough it charges the battery back up, but if you wait a couple of days it is dead as a post.

Your external battery charger, booster is taking the place of the battery on starting.

If all this started after the clock was replaced, then it may be the problem, or as you say the mechanic who installed it made a mistake. Otherwise you need to start looking for something that is drawing current with the ignition off.

[cardogman1]

No mike it hasn't behaved like this before however I've only had the car for two months. The car was sitting in a mans garage in Florida for about oh 30 years with a car cover on it.

He bought the car when he was 38 years old, drove it for two years put 14,000 miles on it and then quietly put it away in his garage. He drove it about 4 miles a month to keep the seals from drying out. When I bought it it was shipped from Florida in an inside carrier. He's 69 years old now. Bought it new in 71 from dealer.

When I started the car off the carrier and drove it about 2 miles and put the heat on, the radiator blew up with the hreater core and heater control valve. The water pump and fuel pump failed, the car was exploding out the tail pipe, and a miriad of other problems. Got them taken care of. When I first saw the car in Florida the battery was dead so he installed a new Interstate battery a very good brand. The tune up with all the other stuff has been done. Today I drove it for about a half an hour after I got it started. I then put it in the garage and disconnected the negative terminal. Just a little while ago about 4 hours later I started the car up and it started like I use to when I was about 18 years old if you know what I mean. I got this car because I was in love with my first one in 1973. I know it's kind of a hobby for most of us but this is starting to kinda wizz me off. New Yorkers on the whole don't have any patience anyway. But this car is starting to become a money pit. The car cost me $18,000. It's just about brand new. When I get a camera I'll post pictures. Original paint looks like it just left the showroom. A remarkable almost 10 point car original. Maybe one of very few in the USA. But if I continue to have trouble starting it it will look good only to anybody who would like to come and hang out in my garage.

Look forward to hearing back from you.

Burt

[cardogman1]

walter

read what I just wrote to mike. Tekk me what you think. I'm not sure about the short circuit thing but if it is and it's not the clock it may be hard to find

Burt

[Zedrally]

Burt,

I'm in the chat room if you want to talk about this in real time.

MN

[Bambikiller240]

(99% snip by carl)

Originally posted by cardogman1

No mike it hasn't behaved like this before however I've only had the car for two months.

Hi Burt: If the symptoms started after installing the clock, I'd have to agree with the others who say that it (or it's installation method) is the culprit. IF possible, I'd disconnect it and see if the symptoms go away.

If you want a clock that looks like an original 240Z clock, but operates like a quartz clock, the contact info below might be something to look into. He uses 240Z clocks and converts them to a quartz movement internally. More reliable and I believe that he warrenties what he sells.

zclock4u@aol.com

Ron Bradley

PO Box 3001

Seal Beach, Ca. 90740-2001