Hi. Hope you guys forgive me for not posting before, but i've been reading your threads while in some of my classes, and at work. what can i say i am a very productive guy hehehe. i have a 91 300zx n/a. It's my second Z, since i wrecked the first one by flying 120 into a hair pin turn. i didn't even have a scratch on me, which is not what i could say about my first z. anyway, this z is a beauty. i test drove like 20 Z's and out of all of them this is the best one. i lost my lisence in august, and since then i've been doing nothing but buying suspension parts and redoing my interior. i live in Virginia, so we had some cold weather lately, and the other day when i went into the garage to start her up.....she didn't start. it just made this awful grinding noise like it was missing teeth on the flywheel. my buddy thinks it might be the starter since the car has been sitting for a few months. anyway i figured i get some more input from you guys before i start pulling stuff out. thanx a lot

 

my car sat for a few days and then wouldn't start; i think it may be the ignition coil for mine but with that grinding, youre friend may be right.

 

It's likely the starter. It sounds like it's spinning, but not engaging the flywheel. If it's been sitting for a while in the cold, I guess it could've seized in the housing, and thus prevent it from even engaging to spin the flywheel. Since it's been so cold, try putting a space heater under the car near the starter. This is your easiest option. Get it nice and warm, then see what happens. If it doesn't work, take the starter out and take it to a local autopart store and have them bench test it. It may just need lubrication also.

 

hey guys thanx for the reply, i will try the heat thing tomorrow morning. i will probably end up taking the starter off anyway since i am gonna be installing a new flywheel, so i might as well get it replaced since i have a spare starter. my moto is you can never have too many z32 parts. thanx a lot guys i am just gonna wait for a warm day sometime soon so i can tackle this task

 

Since you'll be installing a new flywheel, are you installing anything else?
That would be a great time for a new lighter driveshaft and possibly a new clutch.
A new transmission mount comes to mind also.

 

yeah i got a z1 driveshaft, and act clutch. i am gonna do a steel clutch line and that flywheel. tranny mounts are in good condition so i'll wait for those. they are expecting some low temperatures over the weekend so all i am gonna do tomorrow am is put a new startr in. i still have to wait for the driveshaft to come in

 

anyway it was a starter... for some reason my starter looked borken. two pieces are not stuck together like the new one. i am gonna take this one appart and learn more about it but thanx for all your help she prrrs like a kitten