The starter motor on my '90 300zx manual Jap NA decided to pack up today.

 

Two questions:

 

1. Can I use a starter from any 300zx, ie UK or TT spec?

2. Where can I get a recon unit from?

 

Thanks,

 

Colin

Hi Colin

You could give Andy Z a ring first to see if he has one.

Find his No in the traders forum.

Just one idea.

Arthur.

Thanks Arthur

 

I've dropped him a mail and got my fingers crossed!

 

Colin

Hi Colin,

 

just before you scrap it.....did it make the usual starter motor screech/grind, or did it just make a rapid tapping noise ?

 

Mine recently did that when it had been sat for a month or so in the garage and the battery had dropped enough charge to not turn it sufficiently. As soon as I charged the battery up it was fine, and hasn't caused any problems since !

 

Apparently it's quite common for them to do it when the battery runs down !

As Konrad says could be low battery if the motor is clicking but not turning. I had a similar problem, but not a low battery - instead a loose earth on the starter solenoid. Tightened this up and everything A-OK again.

 

Worth checking these options before you go for a replacement:)

 

StuartR

Colin - these guys are right. If the battery is on it's way out, the starter will refuse to engage, it tries then jumps out quickly. Normally you would think it would over time just turn the engine more slowly, but it dosen't. If you are lucky you get a couple of examples where it tries to not engage, but eventually does (after a lit of clicking) and fires the engine. Then after a couple of these, it stops engaging all together - just clicks.

 

Don't do as I did - strip down the starter motor and clean everything up (thinking it was jamming) - just go for a replacement battery...

 

good luck

 

Jack

Thanks for the help guys - unfortunately it's not the battery, which is fully charged and three months old!

 

When turning the car over the starter didn't make even a whisper, so I jacked the car and checked that power was getting through, which it was. Then I tried the usual - tapping the starter with a hammer whilst cranking the engine. The starter let out a couple of whimpers, but that was all.

 

Therefore I figure it's died!

 

Colin

Its buggered. Any luck with andyz?:confused:

Success!!

 

Andy has got one. Thought I might be stuffed trying to find one and didn't even want to think what Nissan would charge for a new one!

 

Colin

MAKE SURE its for an NA! The NA has a smaller flywheel so the surface of the starter which touches the gearbox is machined down to bring the starter pinion gear closer. Why not get it refurbed if you're struggling for a replacement???

 

CheerZ,

 

Andy

Thanks for the advice Andy - I didn't realise there was a difference. Fortunately, the starter that AndyZ is supplying me is from the exact same model zx as mine - 2+2 manual NA.

 

How's that for luck!

 

Cheers,

 

Colin

Speaking of starter motors, mine on occassion makes a screaching noise when I try to turn it over, then when I try it again it's fine. Is mine on the way out as well?? It only does it about one in every fifteen starts.:confused: