Jump to content

IGNORED

Ignition help needed on '78 280z


jrod81

Recommended Posts

I'm having intermittent issues with starting up. I believe it is related to the ignition startup. I have read all FSM manuals. The only way I can get it to start is by using a jumper wire from the battery to ignition circuit on the fuse box in the pasenger kick panel. Does anyone know what that means?

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Can you give a description of what happens when you turn the key?  What happens at On, at Start, etc.  You haven't supplied much besides the fat that you're bypassing the ignition relay.  Could be that that relay is bad.  Here's a picture of mine.  My car had a wire run all the way to the ignition switch.

image.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, jrod81 said:

Thanks for the reply. Nothing happens when the acc, on, start positions. As if no power whatsoever. So by jumping the fuse box I'm bypassing the ignition relay? Where is it located?

Is it an automatic or a manual transmission?  Automatics have an inhibitor relay.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, Zed Head said:

Is it an automatic or a manual transmission?  Automatics have an inhibitor relay.

This is a manual transmission. Inhibitor relay I see in the electrical drawings but yet to physically find on the car.

 

6 hours ago, JSM said:

Might also test the ignition switch. 

I ruled out the ignition switch because it worked when I jumped the fuse box. Maybe that was a bad assumption. Do you know of an easy what to test the ignition switch?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To test the Ignition Switch:

With the key in the ON position, use a test light. Clip it to a good ground, such as one of the bolts on the strut tower and touch the other end of the test light to the positive terminal of the coil, where the black/white wire lands. It should light up. 

Repeat the test but have someone manipulate the switch and try to start the car while you hold the test light in place. The test light should still light up.

The good thing is that if the switch is bad, you can replace the back of it where the contacts reside. Rockauto has the part. You will probably need to remove the switch from the car to replace it. That can be a little challenging.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 hours ago, jrod81 said:

I'm having intermittent issues with starting up. I believe it is related to the ignition startup. I have read all FSM manuals. The only way I can get it to start is by using a jumper wire from the battery to ignition circuit on the fuse box in the pasenger kick panel. Does anyone know what that means?

It doesn't look like you've done much testing besides turning the key and listening and looking.  And you said "intermittent" which would mean that sometimes it starts normally.  That suggests a bad connection or a stuck relay.

Best to get a meter or test light and see where the power is, and where it isn't.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 2/26/2018 at 11:50 AM, Zed Head said:

It doesn't look like you've done much testing besides turning the key and listening and looking.  And you said "intermittent" which would mean that sometimes it starts normally.  That suggests a bad connection or a stuck relay.

Best to get a meter or test light and see where the power is, and where it isn't.

Ok folks here is where I am at:

1] Tested battery voltage  12.3V

2] With ignition switch in "ON"  tested voltage at ignition coil and got =12.3V

3] Checked power at fusible link for WR wires and got 12.3V (not indication that fusible link is good but at least there is power there)

Engine is winding over and cranking but not starting now. If i remove the BY wire from the solenoid and jump with a screw driver it still does not start and only winds and cranks.

I would presume this would work if bypassing the ignition all together and jumping from the starter - but it didn't work, if it had then I could at least narrow my troubleshooting to inside the Cabin and not in the engine electrical.

Any thoughts? Any other test to check in the Engine compartment before moving to the Cabin.

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Guidelines. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.