Drfixit Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 Long story short I have to short out the terminals on the starter to start my L18 equipped 69 521. Checked battery cables, battery charge etc. So what do you think...is it the ignition switch, wiring to/from ignition switch or the starter solenoid? When I turn the key to start you can hear the loud click of the starter solenoid but it don't start the starter turning anymore. I can short the terminals on the starter and it kicks the engine right over every single time. Time for a new starter? All help appreciated.... Mark Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 If there is a loud click at the starter, it is probably not the wiring or ignition switch. A faint click might be a problem with the ignition switch. If you jump the two large terminals at the starter and it goes, then it may be the solenoid. If you are only jumping from + to S terminal, then it's not the solenoid, look for wiring problems instead. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 (edited) Solenoid sounds bad. This doesn't happen much. Try to find it separate rather than paying for a whole starter that works. Try a yard. Undo the two 10mm? bolts and it lifts out and off. There is a hook shaped spring that has to engage inside the starter just take note when you remove the solenoid. http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q251/datzenmike/L20Bgrstarters001.jpg[/img]"] Edited December 28, 2008 by datzenmike 1 Quote Link to comment
hughdogz Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 Here's another trick that might work... I had a similar problem in my ZX. I wore out the ring gear on the flywheel, so even after I got a new starter, the pinion gear wouldn't engage. I could put it in gear and rock the car back and fourth, and finally, the gears would mesh, and it would start. Not sure if this is your problem, but it may be worth a try...:mellow: Later, -hughdogz Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 I've seen that problem before, bad ring gear. It is a really loud click and a kindof 'clank'. But since the gear won't mesh (fully), the starter won't run. Rather rare problem, we are more likely to get a grinding sound when the ring gear is bad. Quote Link to comment
650savag Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 DrFixit, I just had the same problem with my 78 KC. It had started last winter and when it was cold mornings especially it would just click and not engage the starter. I could keep clicking the switch several times and it would finally start or I could jump the terminals on the starter and start it. My battery was fully charged and all wiring was tight so I decided to get a new starter. I could get a Limited lifetime starter at O'reilys for just a little more than the solenoid,($30), so I got the starter and installed it and it is working fine now. I did pull the solenoid off the old starter and found the arm that engages the starter drive was either broken or something was worn on the starter drive because it was just flopping around and not capable of working right every time. Like DatzenMike said, You might be able to find a good used one at the JY but I don't have that luxury where I live. From what I've read, the original starters are much better than the re-built stuff they sell today. But the folks here at the local parts store are good about honoring these warantys and I get a lot of stuff replaced free when they fail or wear out (brake pads, etc). Hope you get it going soon. Dan Quote Link to comment
Drfixit Posted December 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 I believe its the solenoid. I am really thinking about getting the whole works rebuilt at a good electric shop, sounds like others have had good luck doing that with alternators and such. I really appreciate all the input. Mark Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted December 28, 2008 Report Share Posted December 28, 2008 if possible I would buy a nissan starter from the dealer. the local stores bought rebuilds are junk in my opinion.. I was going to mention low current to the selinoid. as 510people say they have this proplem and use a Black Bosch/Hella relay to give the selinoid the full 12volts. Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted December 29, 2008 Report Share Posted December 29, 2008 Or get a Bosch starter -- they are much better than rebuilt starters. If the solenoid is not getting full voltage, the ignition switch is probably bad. I've had the problem too. Quote Link to comment
sssr20det510 Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 Bang on it with a hammer if it starts after you do that its a bad starter Quote Link to comment
Drfixit Posted December 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 Well of course dumb ass me cant be told anything. I replace the starter and that was the problem, however, the only thing I can find is a cheapo $29 remanufactured piece of crap you all told me not to buy. But I did anyway and guess what. It worked for awhile and now the bendex spring wont always enguage. So I have a new starter and a different problem. I have the old starter which is also a remanufactured POS the previous owner had just put it. Would it do any good to take that starter to a good shop and have them rebuild it? If not guess its searching pick and pull for a Nissan starter and having that one rebuilt. Quote Link to comment
Pacific coast Datsun Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 If possible look for a gear reduction starter off a Z car or early maxima/810. I picked one up at a yard for $12. They have more torque & bolt right in.... They are longer than a regular starter btw. Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 (edited) Time yourself! Thats what I did when I bought rebuilt Schucks starters. See how fast you can change them out. I got pretty good at it with those lifetime gareentees(sp) most important upgrades to daily driver Datsun 510/521 new heater hoses Elelctronic ignition Pertronix or Matchbox or 1st gen IE nissan w/gm module Weber DGV carb Nissan Starters or Alternators or GM one wire unit. Edited December 30, 2008 by banzai510(hainz) Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 It worked for awhileYou mean like two days? Take it back and get a replacment. Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 Take it to your local Kragens and have them test it... Quote Link to comment
Drfixit Posted December 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2008 When it comes to working on my ride in the cold I am a pussy so as long as it works I am gonna let it be while I look for a good quality unit. How do you know what other models have starters that will fit your engine? In my case does the engine have to be an L18? Where do you find all this cross over information? Thanks as usual- Mark Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted December 31, 2008 Report Share Posted December 31, 2008 Don't worry about crossover, worry about brand. Bosch is good. Mitsubishi (factory Datsun part) is good. Early '70s Hitachis (factory part) not so good. Get one designed for your car so interchange is not an issue. Quote Link to comment
505plus5 Posted September 27, 2017 Report Share Posted September 27, 2017 Having this clicking problem with my 79 Datsun Wagon L20B starter. Got two starters, now. 1st. one clicks only so I connect the two bolts and it either spins or starts engine. 2nd. one is a new remanufactured, from Napa. It's on now but has the same issues or makes a struggling, grinding noise. Any input, any1??? Quote Link to comment
G-Duax Posted September 27, 2017 Report Share Posted September 27, 2017 Many times it's due to aging contacts in the starter switch. I finally just wired a relay in the circuit, and let it carry the load. No more starter problems. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted September 27, 2017 Report Share Posted September 27, 2017 Find the small start signal wire on the starter solenoid. Take it off and jumper 12 volts directly from the battery to it and it should spin the starter every time. If it does this just means that the signal from the ignition switch is weak. After all the voltage has to go all the way to the ignition and back through the harness to the starter and the wire is small and old. As Richard suggested, you can use this weak signal to trip a small relay that is connected directly to the battery for a stronger signal to the solenoid. I had this exact same thing on both my 710s. http://community.ratsun.net/topic/102-hot-start-relay/ You want a cheap source for relays? Any 720 or early/mid '80 Nissan car. Get the plug and cut the wires long. 2 Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.