No Crank When Starting...

[WazR32GTSt]

so here's my issue...

sometimes when i turn the key, nothing happens

so i try again, and nothing

eventually, it cranks as usual...

other times, it cranks with no problems at all, as soon as i turn the key

other thing to note is that all dash and everything electrical still works when this happens

anyone have any ideas?

i'm thinking electrical, maybe alternator on its way out? but i have no charging issues..

maybe a poor earth on the alternator? can someone tell me where the earth wire is on the alternator?

any other help would be appreciated..

cheers,

Warren

[RANDY]

Do you hear a little click? If your solanoid in the starter motor is weak or has a bad connection, it can sometimes half-engage. The motor in the starter won't start over as a safety precaution (so you don't grind the gear on it as it's starting to engage).

Some people get stuck like this, and have to whack the starter motor with a hammer to dislodge the solanoid. (not on Skylines, mind you.. older cars that you can get a hammer onto easily)

Might be worth getting an auto sparky to check the wiring to the starter?

[WazR32GTSt]

thanks mate..

i don't recall hearing a click when it happens, rather just hearing nothing at all..

i don't really get out and try anything when it happens, as i usually can just try crankingit again and it cranks fine the next time

hmmm odd

might get an autoelec onto it sometime in the future (getting my car lowered monday so maybe after that)

[RANDY]

just try with the door open, so you can hear if the solanoid is TRYING to engage.

[B0oStEr]

This started to happen on my old R30.

It turned out to be the start position on the ignition switch was worn out.

[RANDY]

Oh.. I just read your avatar info... it's an auto, yeah?

You might have a funny/loose wire in the auto shifter surround? There is usually a "neutral" or "park" sensor that operates much like the handbrake sensor (that turns the light on the dash on).

If that little switch is a bit dodgy, the ECU thinks you're in gear, and refuses to even start the starter motor, so that it doesn't chew itself out as it tries to launch your in-gear car.

If it plays up persistently for a few tries, wiggle the shifter a bit, and try again. If that seems to work every time, then you need to change that sensor switch.

[RANDY]

I was going to suggest some kind of wiring in the ignition barrel, as booster pointed out, but I know nothing of how that's wired up.

[Godzilla32]

If its the inhibitor switch on the auto a jiggle of the t-bar or trying neutral instead of park may get it to crank.

On the other hand if its a starter issue a separate starter relay fix a bad earth etc...

Edited November 24, 2006 by Godzilla32

[SECURITY]

Oh.. I just read your avatar info... it's an auto, yeah?

You might have a funny/loose wire in the auto shifter surround? There is usually a "neutral" or "park" sensor that operates much like the handbrake sensor (that turns the light on the dash on).

If that little switch is a bit dodgy, the ECU thinks you're in gear, and refuses to even start the starter motor, so that it doesn't chew itself out as it tries to launch your in-gear car.

If it plays up persistently for a few tries, wiggle the shifter a bit, and try again. If that seems to work every time, then you need to change that sensor switch.

a good way to try that is to stick it in neutral. autos will start in neutral too.

[RB30-POWER]

3 main things it could be if you turn it to the start position and nothing at all happens.

- Ignition switch (start position contacts dirty/burnt out)

- Auto Inhibitor switch (if its auto)

- Starter Motor itself. (Solonoid or brushes)

[Guest tosboost2]

sure it doesn't have anything to do with your immobiliser and the amount of time it takes you, when when you press the button till you get into the car, cause my car's immobiliser tuens back on 15 seconds after i press the car to unlock

[WazR32GTSt]

definately not the immobiliser as its not a re-arm type

thanks all for your help..

i wil lstart with the atuo sensors in the gearstick area, then work to the engine bay and get an autoelectrician if i can't work it out

cheers,

Warren