240Z, 260Z, 280Z Performance / Technical Discussions related to performance motor enhancements, upgrades.

Won't start ! Help

Old May 19, 2014 | 10:35 PM
  #1  
Erik1562's Avatar
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Won't start ! Help

I have a 78 280z that just turned off on me while I was in second gear and it won't turn back on the battery is good I don't know what it could be does anyone have an idea ?
And also the ignition timing is off does anyone know what it is ?

Last edited by Erik1562; May 19, 2014 at 10:57 PM.
Old May 19, 2014 | 10:40 PM
  #2  
NismoPick's Avatar
The Good Twin
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,639
From: Wild Wild West, UTAH!
An engine needs 3 things to start:
-Fuel
-Spark
-Compression

Check these things at each cylinder.
Old May 19, 2014 | 10:43 PM
  #3  
Erik1562's Avatar
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Originally Posted by NismoPick
An engine needs 3 things to start:
-Fuel
-Spark
-Compression

Check these things at each cylinder.
Thanks !
Old May 20, 2014 | 06:27 AM
  #4  
PredatorZ's Avatar
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,032
From: A Shady Tree in Boise
hey Erik

Sounds like you need a Factory Service Manual. Luckily there is a free download of all the FSM's for our cars from Xenon, ill post a link. In the Maintenance section of your FSM it will cover timing and spark gap and other things you need to know. There are trouble shooting sections in the FSM that covers exactly what you are going through. Take a look, do some reading, if something stumps you log back in a drop a question. A lot of times its an electrical connection, intermittent problems are the worst. I would clean all the connectors, like ECU, MAF/MAP, TPS, CHTS, etc. Check the ground on you battery, make sure it is good. Look into a Star Grounding System , it will cure grounding issues... the frame and body are not good electrical conductors, so they make a terrible ground.



http://www.xenons30.com/reference.html

Last edited by PredatorZ; May 20, 2014 at 06:33 AM.
Old May 20, 2014 | 07:36 AM
  #5  
rogerz's Avatar
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,415
From: Mill Creek WA
the battery may be good altho you haven't tested it BUT what about your cables. if the volts and amps can't get where they are going a terrific battery is of no help. might be helpful if there were a little more info than it just turned off. like fuel pressure on the ring vacuum . do this may not fix the issue but at least eliminates the common stuff:
Get your battery load tested. Be sure you have clean, tight corrosion free terminals on both ends of your battery cables. Be sure the ground (negative) cable goes to a bolt into the frame before going to the starter. grounding through the starter is not a reliable connection. Z's don't like low voltage. causes the electronics to act funny. it is possible to have enough amps to crank but not enough voltage to run the electronics. If you have one size fit all cheapo clamp on terminals they are a problem waiting to happen. Usually on a rainy night around Oh Dark Thirty.

Clean the connectors for the maf or afm, ecu and tps. Deoxit by CAIG is probably the best connector cleaner on the market. spray with CorrosionX after cleaning and before putting together this will help prevent any further corrosion.
Old May 21, 2014 | 03:56 AM
  #6  
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What do you mean by "it won't turn back on"? Does the starter engage? What is the voltage of the battery while you're trying to start the car? Have you removed ALL of the fusible links and tested them for continuity?
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