I've got a '90 n/a and about once in every 10 times i go to start the car it makes a grinding noise (like the noise a car makes when u start it when its already on) and doesnt start up, then i will turn the key again and it starts right up. Now im pretty sure this is a common problem for the Z32s because the one i had before this one did the same thing, but i sold it before i got it checked out, and my roomates did it also, but he donated it before getting it checked out. and now this one started doing it @ 145000 mi. Im pretty sure its either the ring gear or the flywheel, but i hope its not the flywheel that i have to get replaced. if anybody has experienced this problem or knows about it and what it takes to fix it, please let me know, it would be greatly apreciated.

 

Yea, mine does the same thing. It's not something to really worry about fixing for me. It's very seldom and it always starts after that without any issues.

 

It's your starter. It could be that the bendix is not lubricated well enough and is sticking. You could remove the starter and clean and lubricate the bendix. Mine used to do it. Moreso when it was cold.

 

Correct. Moisture tends to get inside over time causing it to stick. For other vehicles, I have bought and replaced just the bendix (solenoid). It's not exactly good on the flywheel to have this happen.

I have also fixed this problem by cleaning the battery and starter wire connections.

 

I experience the same thing with my '93 Z32! My girlfriend drives this one predominately (I drive the '90 2+2 . Anyways, we've noticed that if you put the car in nuetral (manual drive) before you try and start it, it doesn't happen. I do not have an explaination for this, only know that it is the case from experimentation.
I remove the starter, if I can find time that we are both off at the same time, and lubricate the starter as mentioned above.
Thanks!

 

is this something you find at your local autozone?