Weired car death, what could have happened?
 

Dear all,

I need you to chime in on what may have happened.

Essentially it is a heavily modified Tii.

The car ran fine and boosted good, and I park it at my company's parking ramp, the turbo timer did its job and it shut off itself. Everything was fine.

When I came out ready to go back home, I found the car doesn't crank at all, seem like got enough charge in the battery, starter doesn't kick in at all.

I pushed it off the ramp and got her roll started, however, could not keep it idle, sounds almost like a blown motor, it revs up fine but when I completely release the clutch, it bucks and doesn't want to go forward, if I mesh it, it was a bit better... in addition, I do not have the clutch switch enabled.

What could be the issue? Please help and advise. I know I have been looking at 350z lately, but it shouldn't piss her off that bad.

Although I highly don't think so, but could someone fuck it up while I was at work?

Thanks in advance.

-X

Could be more than one problem.

I'm pretty sure you should have the clutch switch hooked up. That may be why you can't get the car to turn over, and why you can't take off with the clutch engaged, and maybe even why it doesn't want to idle. Why did you disconnect that switch? Also, it started without issue when you went to work? If so, that just seems weird...

If that doesn't fix it, you could have grounding issues and or vacuum leaks.

It may help us if you tell us what mods have been done to it. Also, did you do all of it yourself?

Yeah, the car ran perfectly fine when I parked it.

The car never had a clutch switch since I got it (at least I have never seen one). and it had always started without the need of pushing in the clutch...

Here is the spec of the car, sorry if it is long and boring (I did/redid half of the work with friends):

Well, basically everything is modded: It is a GXL (86) to Tii (88) S4 conversion, Jspec motor, BNR stage 3 turbo, Rtek 1.7 (soon to be 2.1) with a SAFC, 720 Primary and 890 Sec, Walbro 255, Tii tranny and diff, ACT clutch, RB Pipes and presilencer with dual exhaust, Ported throttle body, Greddy BOV, Blitz intake, front mount IC, no power steering, Wideband and boost gauge. The AFR is around 12 when boosted, though having the hesitation issue and lean about the injector switching point. 3rd gen alternator, Short shift, efan, Koyo radiator and suspension+wheels, GP2 bodykit ... and so on ... Battery is relocated in the storage bin ....

I am guessing it could be a electrical issue underneath the car, and she did get wet today. But would it behave like that?

Sorry if I sounded abit anxious - just sold my imprezza commuter yesterday, having a life style that do not allow me to have too much time to play with it, that's why I have been looking at the Zs lately ...

Doesn't it sounds mechanical? motor?

What I can check? steps?

I need to tow it back and check on it this weekend, and try not to make a fool of myself in the company.

Thanks for the inputs!! Please chime in whenever you can!

-X

Repo

well its not the clutch safety switch i havent had mine working since ive owend it..and you have to be a little more specific with the problem. does it idle good? can you drive it? is your clutch blown?

It doesn't idle, I can not get it going on the road, not sure about my clutch, it is an ACT and put in three years ago... it does seem to engage and release fine, since I roll started it.

The starter doesn't turn all (I can not hear it, only the fuel pump), and it is doesn't idle and drive after I push started it.

Would a blown clutch do that? Thanks!

-X

I am not very experienced like many of you guys, though did much of the work having support from this forum and friends and following advises and instructions.

ok so your saying the starter dosent crank? sry its just really hard to figure out the problem without knowing some specifics

Yes, you are right, the starter doesn't turn at all. Sorry I wasn't clear about this.

-X

buy a new starter ?

maybe your starter seized up?

Check compression. Idle/starter have nothing to do with eachother.

Dude i think you have a case of a bad battery and altenator. I mean i would mainly go with bad altenator. First try charging the battery (free at any autozone, pepboys, advanced auto) and have them test it to see if its still good. The car should crank with a new or charged battery. If it cranks have them either test the altenator or do it the old fashoin way by taking of the battery terminal. I'm pretty sure that the car is going to cut off because you have a bad altenator. I know if you bring it to autozone they can test it inside for you (I work at autozone). Lets see if you try that and neither works drop another post. I will see if we can figure it out.

Try getting under your car and slightly tapping on the starter with a hammer. If the solenoid inside is stuck this should unstick it and let it start. I had to do this for a couple days until I got a new starter.

If the starter it stuck out it would affect the idle because the flywheel is turning the cog on the starter creating drag. Like the guy before me said, try tapping on the starter to get it to retract if it is stuck out. Maybe its not, pull the starter out and see, its only 2 bolts and a nut to take it out.

cool, this sounds logical, I will give it a shot tomorrow, will keep you guys posted. Thanks for the input!

-X