savageskaterkid Posted December 11, 2004 Share Posted December 11, 2004 I've been working on my car alot lately, and when i tried to adjust the timing it didn't work afterwards- i didn't even do nethin to it- i just disconnected the battery, and then decided i wasn't gonna do it-now it won't start, i did reconect the battery, and it won't start, i swapped the coil,cap, and rotor, and it fired rite up-then later on that nite, it wouldn't-this morning i got it to run, then shut it off, and it does the same thing-wht could this b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VRJoe Posted December 12, 2004 Share Posted December 12, 2004 Could be the ignition switch, or the ground. Clean the battery terminals and check the ground, then test the switch. - Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savageskaterkid Posted December 12, 2004 Author Share Posted December 12, 2004 that was the first thing i tried, i fixed the grounding system, and battery terminals, but i blew a fuesable link-and im getting one tday, and i plan on getting a temperature sensor-becuz i heard that could b a problem too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savageskaterkid Posted December 19, 2004 Author Share Posted December 19, 2004 I replaced the fuse link and temperature sensor, it ran for awhile, then i started it up again, and it won't start Wht next? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsunlover Posted December 19, 2004 Share Posted December 19, 2004 Is this a Z or ZX? If its a ZX, I'd suspect the 'black box' on the side of the dizz..uh, .. distributor. They just up and die sometimes, and being electrical, it can come and go for a while.. making it hard to pin down the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savageskaterkid Posted December 20, 2004 Author Share Posted December 20, 2004 its a ZX, so ur saying the black box next to the Dizzy cap could have just crapped out on me-wht should i do about that? get a new one, or rewire it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsunlover Posted December 20, 2004 Share Posted December 20, 2004 its a ZX, so ur saying the black box next to the Dizzy cap could have just crapped out on me... Well.. yah. It seams stupid I know, but I have personally had this happen, and know a few ppl who had similar problems. That little box basicaly controls your spark.. and a bit of timing advance IIRC.. If you were playing with the timing (turning the dizzy right?) you may have just jared a wire loose.. check the conections at the black box.. and probly the AFM just for good measure. Make sure they are clean, and the clips arn't broken/cracked. If it IS the 'black box' (sorry.. can't think of the proper name right now.. stupid beer...) I don't think you could "re-wire" it.. replacement is pretty much the only option. I'd look around for one used, or a whole distriubutor perhaps that you could swap in to test this theory... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savageskaterkid Posted December 20, 2004 Author Share Posted December 20, 2004 would that make it so that it will fire up one minute, but when i goto start it a few minuts later-it wont start? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Shasteen Posted December 20, 2004 Share Posted December 20, 2004 Please qualify your statement "wont start". Do you mean the engine turns over but wont run? Or, do you mean the starter doesnt even come on, therefore, the engine doesnt turn over? Kevin, (Yea,Still an Inliner) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savageskaterkid Posted December 20, 2004 Author Share Posted December 20, 2004 the car turns over, but it doesn't fire up, it will work every now and then, but then i goto start it a few minuts later, it turns over and thats it, no fire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsunlover Posted December 21, 2004 Share Posted December 21, 2004 Yup. I'd say its' the ignition control box on the dizzy then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Shasteen Posted December 21, 2004 Share Posted December 21, 2004 I would also suggest checking the air gap in the distributor. If the air gap at the pick up coil has backed off, from mere time/mileage, then the engine will also give the same symtoms you are experiencing. I'm not to up on the ZX's but I'm sure it isnt much different from the FI Z's. Check your service manual for the correct air gap and ensure your pick up coil is within those tolerances. Kevin, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolane Posted December 21, 2004 Share Posted December 21, 2004 Another vote here for the black box (Ignition Module I think it is called). I had one fail very similar to yours, it would start fine, then an hour later, or whatever, nothing... Sometimes it would run fine for months, then all of a sudden it wouldn't start for days. I finally replaced it with a used one and all was well. If you can find a new one, it will probably be expensive. I would think you could replace it with an MSD-6 or something aftermarket to eliminate it completely... Good Luck, electrical problems are frustrating at best... (especially intermittant ones) Joshua Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tony78_280z Posted December 21, 2004 Share Posted December 21, 2004 Dang........ I think that is the problem I was having with my old l28 motor back when I gave up on it and ripped it out. It would run for a little bit and die and stay dead for awhile. Then sometimes it just wouldn't start at all. Then it would. I replaced so much electrical crap and it'd run for a bit, then die. Then I would replace something else. Of course when I took it to a mechanic it'd run great for him. I got tired of it leaving me in the middle of the stop light so I tore the whole thing out and went carbed, of couse, I made a few upgrades =) Man I wish I had this website back then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savageskaterkid Posted December 21, 2004 Author Share Posted December 21, 2004 well, i replaced the coil, dizzy cap, rotor and plugs, so i kinda doubt that the air gap is off(its preset isn't it)- i new that the rotor and dizzy cap were bad cuz it idled like crap-replaced that and it idles perfect-or as close to perfect that a 23 yr old car could. No big deal, just like 40 bux, but it was running awesome, then i called my frend over to show him that it starts, and nuthin..........damn. How much do u guys think it would b for a new ignition module? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savageskaterkid Posted December 21, 2004 Author Share Posted December 21, 2004 would the MSD 6 hook rite up, or would i hafta rewire sumthings? Its not big deal, just wondering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted December 21, 2004 Share Posted December 21, 2004 You have to splice into the distributor wires to run the MSD. Your problem certainly sounds like the module though. I've bought several ZX distributors with the module for $50. Despite the rash of bad modules here lately, they really are pretty bulletproof. A new module from Nissan is like $150 IIRC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsunlover Posted December 21, 2004 Share Posted December 21, 2004 Yah, I have a spare dizzy/module for mine. (if/when it craps out on me..) But I think next year I'm just gona run my MSD box. I have an explaination/write up somewhere on how to wire it to the ZX dizzy.. it's quite simple really. That 'box' only has two wires coming into it from the pick up coil inside the dizzy. You just hook those to the MSD box, and wire the rest up acordingly (I'll see if I can dig up thos distructions..) and it should work well.. and be reliable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savageskaterkid Posted December 21, 2004 Author Share Posted December 21, 2004 how much would an MSD set me back? i called nissan, and the only way i can get that box through them, is to get a brand new distributer, and hell no im not gonna spend 425 dollars for that, my distributer is fine, just the box is bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsunlover Posted December 22, 2004 Share Posted December 22, 2004 Well I think a new MSD 6AL is going for around 4-$500.. but I picked mine up used for $120. Mine's a few years older, and has a seperat 'box' attached to it for the rev limiter. The newer MSD's have that built in I believe.. Personaly, I'd rather spend the money on an MSD.. as they are 'current' and IF they break, fixing/replacement is easier than stock 30 year old Datsun electrics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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