79 280zx

[wahtraffic]

Hey all.

 

I've got a 79 280zx and I have a problem. I had a head gasket issue 18 months ago and with all weekend project something leads to soemthing else. I ended up stripping half the bloody block, porting the end etc. Put it back together, went to start it... Nothing. Battery might of been low, charged it over night. Still nothing. When I turn the key to start it, I get nothing. No atttempting to turn it over. I'm thinking electrical??

 

Any ideas

Cheers Matt

[luvemfast]

Check your earth.

I'm assuming you've reconnected everything correctly also......

[Zedman240®]

When the battery is in the car, switch the headlights on..if you don't get anything check all the major connections around the battery. If the lights come on, check with a test light, you are getting power at the starter. Could be many problems or just one.

[wahtraffic]

The head light comes on and works. It's getting fuel... I know this cos I found a leak. I'll attach a test light to the starter on the weekend and double check the earth connections. It's just odd cos it won't even turn. The battery has 450 cca's

[Zedman240®]

If the starter solenoid is getting power from the ignition switch, try giving the starter motor a couple of light taps with a hammer while you are holding he key on start; if it starts then, you may need a new or reco starter motor and or solenoid.

[luvemfast]

Is there any clicking noises at all?

[nizm0zed]

can you turn the engine over by hand?

After that, check for power at the starter motor main power connection (the big one)

That should show 12v at all times.

Next, check the ground from the battery to the chassis and the ground from the engine to the chassis.

Both should be in good condition, with clean rust and oil free contact points on both ends.

Check your battery terminals to ensure they are secure on the battery and the cable is secure into the terminal.

Look for loose or fraying wire out of the terminals.

Now you have established that the high current side of the starter system is in good shape, check for the starter solenoid wire.

It should be secure on the starter motor solenoid terminal.

This wire will only show 12v when the key is held to 'start'

Disconnect the wire and connect your multimeter to it, positive to the wire, negative to ground.

Hold the key to 'start' and you should see 12v on this wire.

Reconnect it and try start the motor.

You can also bridge the starter solenoid terminal onto the main starter motor power wire (use a screwdriver or something)

This will cause the starter to engage and crank the motor. If that doesnt happen, (after checking everything listed above) the starter is dead

 

Go through that systematically and dont skip anything or assume anything is ok.

Then come back here and let us know how you went.

Next step if it cranks but doesnt fire is to go over another system.