1990 Nissan 240sx - Doesn't Start

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Mike@slapbox.net - 11 Oct 2006 02:30 GMT

Hey, I have a 1990 Nissan 240sx and today right after I filled the car
with gas at the station it decided not to start. The car has power the
radio is on, I can turn the subwoofers up very loud so I know the
battery is fine. I also tried jump starting just in case, no luck. The
car makes no noises that I can hear when I turn the key also. I
replaced the starter on it, still not starting same problem. The
alternator was replaced only 7 months ago as was the battery. I was
however able to push it and pop the clutch and it started right up that
way, ran fine. After turning it off when I got it home it still will
not start by turning the key.

So I assume the starter is not getting power for some reason. Does
anyone have any ideas? I'm in a real jam and need to get this thing
working so I can get to work in the morning.

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Mike@slapbox.net - 11 Oct 2006 04:49 GMT

I am thinking it may be the ignition switch after some reading. I have
an idea to bypass it and just run the jumper cable from the starter to
the battery directly to try and start the car, just a temp fix till the
weekend when I have time to fix it. would this be a good idea? or will
it not even work?

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Mike@slapbox.net - 11 Oct 2006 17:36 GMT

UPDATE: I was able to get the car started by putting a screwdriver
across the ignition lead and the positive lead on the starter to force
the starter to ingage. I have also taken the lower part of the dash off
and found the neutral switch, I unplugged it and ran a jumper to
connect the two wires together, still is not starting with the key. so
I need to find this inhibiter relay i guess and see if I can bypass
that. I followed the two wires and they just go up into a mass of other
wires and I dont see them coming out again. Where would this relay be
located? down by the clutch? or on the outside under the hood near the
clutch. I had found some fuses and theres nothing about ignition, I
checked them all anyway and they seem to be good.

Wish I had a voltmeter to test and see how far the power is getting
when I turn the key or if its getting anywhere at all.

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MasterBlaster - 11 Oct 2006 10:42 GMT

> Hey, I have a 1990 Nissan 240sx and today right after I filled the car
> with gas at the station it decided not to start. The car has power the
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> anyone have any ideas? I'm in a real jam and need to get this thing
> working so I can get to work in the morning.

According to Autozone's wiring diagram (bottom left quarter):
http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d80180876.gif
...there's an "Inhibitor Relay" that cuts the power to the starter's solenoid
if the clutch interlock switch isn't activated by the clutch being pushed down.

This page:
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1
8/0a/1e/0900823d80180a1e.jsp
...shows where the clutch switch is.

Check the connections and wires for breaks, try bypassing the switch with
a jumper, try directly grounding the BRown/White wire at the switch, try
bypassing the Inhibitor Relay if you can find the damn thing, try parking on
a hill facing down so you can pop-start it until you have time to play under
the dash, or eat your Wheaties so you have enough energy to push and pop it.

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