car: 1990 nissan 240sx
motor: "newer" single cam cuz the other one blew up

Problem...my car randomly doesnt like to start from time to time. I will have this problem maybe twice a week with no warning. The most annoying times are just after getting gas n trying to start my car n it just clicks. If I keep attempting to start the car by turning to START repeatedly the car will always start by about the 20th attempt 90% of the time...otherwise I ask someone to jump my car

Possible cause...
1. shitty battery
2. i set the timing by ear, throttle response, how quickly my car burns gas, and reading articles stating idle should be at roughly 750rpm@idle


Starting issues I have fixed already.
1. new starter
2. replaced blown 75amp fuse
3. "newer" cleaner injectors
4. new spark plugs
5. secured loose connections to starter and alternator.

Hopefully my prob is just a bad battery. I put all this info on here cuz my question is (and its a dumb one) does your timing affect your cars ability to start in the cold. I ask because as stated I set mine mainly by sound@idle, throttle respond and what the internetz said it should be.

 

You set your timing by ear?? First, burrow a timing light and set your timing to 15 degrees BTDC. I think you can even rent them for free from autozone. If your car isn't starting, but will jumpstart, then it sounds like an electrical problem. check your battery terminals and get your battery tested at autozone for free. You could have a short somewhere if you had to replace your 75 amp fuse as well.

 

Look on the battery terminals and see if there is a fusible link. It should be a little black thing that is hooked up to the terminal connector with wires coming out. If its there, see if its damaged.

 

well by ear i mean...listening to the idle go up or down as i adjust the timing while looking at what the idle rpm is doing n if the car sounds/feels like its strugglin when i drive it. i'll get a light tho. Ive had my battery quick charged twice in maybe 5months b'cuz it wasn't in the car for quite a while.

 

I believe I got all the fusible link stuff squared away when I was inspecting my harness for any damage when all that had happend was my 75amp fuse blew. I tested what people suggested with a volt meter n everything to my knowledge and what was suggested is in good working condition.

 

There is an idle adjustment screw for fixing your idle. Single cams are notorious for shitty idle. Set your timing first, then check for vacuum leaks. Then adjust your idle accordingly. Let me know if you need any help

 

trust me we both know its not the timing starting to believe its in the ignition switch or that damn starter was defective

 

You stated you fixed cables to starter and alternator.

Are the terminal ends that connect to the battery tight and clean(ish)?lol


My negative had s shitty connection once in the past and did the same thing you are describing.

 

the idle screw is about 4whole clockwise turns from all the way tight n my distributor position is about a quarter turn left of dead center...only thing vacuum related is that my hose is from a dual KA which was about 3inches longer than the correct single cam hose

that prob turned out to be that my ground wire to the alternator was loose cuz i had to put a 2nd nut to hold it in place

that $107 starter better not be bad

 

This.