Motor died while driving

S

SubZero

Driver
I was driving my car a while back and in the middle of me driving the motor just died, all electrical was still working. I tried to start it back up and it wouldnt turn over so I started to looking around for the problem, saw i was getting no fuel pressure and long story short I hardwired it to the battery with a relay. After that the car seemed to start up fine all I did for a week was start it up and let it idle in the driveway to make sure it kept starting. After a week of good starts I decided to drive it today and not even 5minutes into driving after letting the motor warm up it died again. I normally waited 5 minutes and it would start up again but not today, today after it died it didnt want to start at all. Once towing it back to my driveway I thought I would give it another try and now it doesnt even want to try and turn over. Only things that happens when I turn the key is all the electrical components come on (gauges, radio, windows go up/down, can hear the fuel pump, etc.) I was thinking it was the starter but have no idea how to check it and wanted to get some input before i went and bought a part.
 
Yeah, happened to me twice, once it was the starter [wouldn't crank]--other I was rubbing the harness inside the driver-side fender and blowing fuses [engine died while driving]..

Have you tried getting a screwdriver [rubber handle] and making the two ends touch to test the starter? *(edit: wouldn't explain the car dying while you were driving it though) Are you rubbing/low/have you relocated your harness higher inside the fenders?
 
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z_three_two said:
Yeah, happened to me twice, once it was the starter [wouldn't crank]--other I was rubbing the harness inside the fenders and blowing fuses [car died while driving]..

Have you tried getting a screwdriver [rubber handle] and making the two ends touch to test the starter *(edit: wouldn't explain the car dying while you were driving it though)? Are you rubbing/low/have you relocated your harness higher inside the fenders?
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I got the starter tested and they told me it was ok, I got it tested because as of right now if I turn the key nothing happens at all with the motor. Not even spark. I checked all my fuses and no i have not done anything with my harness, I havent checked to see if im rubbing the harness though....I guess ill check that tomorrow when theres light.
 
theres one under the pass side as well. not sure what wire goes where in each side, but mine was the driver's side, don't know if the passenger side has any vital wires..
 
wires may have rubbed so check and then check starter inhibit relay...
i would disconnect starter wire and shoot 12v into it w ign on it would most likely crank up..
it seems like a simple electrical issue....use a power probe..the best investment in tools 2000%
 
ok, I spoke to him on the phone today and he said he's getting electricity to the starter but its not turning, he took the starter out and took it to pep boys, pep boys tested it and said it was fine. I told him, to try to turn his engine by hand. ( from the bolt infront of the under drive pulley) just to make sure he didnt spin a bearing, or his oil pump couldnt have failed on him..
 
exactally wat i mean u need a real tester to c if its getting 12v
or just a bit of 12v..
a single wire test light wont do it....
 
OK i tried to push start the car and it turn on and i drove it a few feet and stayed on, didnt want to drive too far...but i still cant get it to turn on when i turn the key...
 
SubZero said:
OK i tried to push start the car and turn on and i drove it a few feet and stayed on, didnt want to drive too far...but i still cant get it to turn on when i turn the key...
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hot wire the starter. you do this by unplugging the small wire going into the starter. you then take a jumper wire and connect to where the small wire plugs in and connect the other end to the terminal where the positve battery cable connects. car should crank. also do you have an alarm or anti theft of some sort?
 
Elliot G said:
hot wire the starter. you do this by unplugging the small wire going into the starter. you then take a jumper wire and connect to where the small wire plugs in and connect the other end to the terminal where the positve battery cable connects. car should crank. also do you have an alarm or anti theft of some sort?
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exactally wat i was sayin to do with power probe..
its the starter relay or inhibit relay all 240sx got it and when it fuks up it does sumthing like wat u desribing....
and an sr20det would be so much better.lol:bigthumbu
 
INFECTED said:
exactally wat i was sayin to do with power probe..
its the starter relay or inhibit relay all 240sx got it and when it fuks up it does sumthing like wat u desribing....
and an sr20det would be so much better.lol:bigthumbu
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i just elaborated on what you said cuz im pretty sure he may have checked the wire going to the starter from the battery. yea i know about the inhibit relay, youre supposed to change it everytime you change the starter, but you must also remember some s14's came with anti theft installed
 
i've been getting this issue, it was my ECU. also had this problem was because my spark plugs were getting fouled up with gas and the spark wasn't making it through to ignite. When your car dies driving, take one of your spark plugs out and see if they are wet. Also test your spark, distributor/wires, injector ohm/resistance & fpr & fuel pump.
 
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