No crank?

EBOUCHOC

MEMBER
1990 NISSAN 300ZX
2WD
MANUAL
270,000 MILES

I drove the car home an hour after purchase.
Replaced the clutch which was bad and 2 ignition coils.
Now, it is not cranking. It won't turn at all. We manually turned the motor, so it's not seized up.
The ground wire is attached to the transmission.
When we turn the key, it clicks and then a brief whirring noise that then stops.
We checked the switch at the clutch pedal. It "appears" to still be working. Not sure why it would break from there to here.
The starter is good. The solenoid is good.
All fuses appear to be good.
When we depress the clutch pedal, it feels fine until the last 4-6 inches then very hard to push the rest of the way.
Not sure if the car should roll when it is not started and it is in gear, but it does.
When we turn the key, the starter doesn't turn the flywheel. It's almost as if the clutch is not moving away from the motor to allow it to turn.

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

The whirring noise you hear, is it loud enough for you to record and upload for me to hear?

Since this started after the clutch was replaced, recheck all wires going to the starter motor. Also, make sure the ground to the transmission isn't damaged.

Also, if the clutch isn't disengaged from the engine, the car would jump and move slowly if it was in gear with the clutch released and the starter engaged.

Take a look through this link and let me know if it helps:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

If you could record it, that may help a lot.

Take care,

Joe

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Thursday, September 14th, 2023 AT 7:42 PM

EBOUCHOC

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I'll record it and get back to you, but the whirring noise does not appear to be coming from the starter.
Also, the starter does click one time only, but we can't get the motor to turn over even with a jump and a good battery. We have replaced the starter relay as well. The ground wire to the transmission does not appear to be damaged.
I'll get you a recording of the whirring noise. (Could the whirring be the turbos engaging? I don't know anything about how they get activated.)

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Thursday, September 14th, 2023 AT 8:03 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

The turbos are activated by exhaust pressure. So, that isn't the issue. Let me know take a listen. Also, make sure the battery terminals are clean and tight.

Take care,

Joe

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Thursday, September 14th, 2023 AT 8:48 PM

EBOUCHOC

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Sorry I haven't gotten back to you, but another issue on a 2007 Nissan Altima has come up that I need help with. We had to replace the alternator, which is a beast to do, but we managed. However, in pulling it out, we had to undo the lower and upper ac lines which hissed out like crazy because they were under pressure. Now, the car is all back together, and we can't get the ac to blow cold. It is fully charged. We are spraying soapy water on the connections that we had to take off and they are not leaking and yet we get no cold air. Thoughts?

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Monday, September 18th, 2023 AT 7:33 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

I have to ask a favor. We try to keep the threads specific to one topic, so they are more helpful to others. Could you copy and paste your new A/C question to a new post?

Here is the link to do it:

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

As far as the issue, in the new post, let us know if you have checked both the high and low-pressure sides of the system, if the compressor is engaging, and if the system was vacuumed before being recharged.

Take care and again, I hope you understand.

Joe