xkeithx

just to clarify everything.. the solenoid in the engine compartment is not clicking. it is a little square relay inside the car on the passenger side under the dash that is making a clicking noise.. so would it be that thats worn out?? i tried putting the key in and i put it to the start position, and then i took a screwdriver and touched the two terminals of the starter solenoid together, and all these sparks came out and that scared me so maybe i did it wrong?? was i supposed to disconnect the ign lead? which one is the ign lead? as far as i can tell, there are 2 big terminals on the solenoid... one that goes into the starter and the other one that connects to the + battery terminal. and there are some other wires connected to there that were probably for a stereo or something. and then theres a little spade thing with a black wire coming off it, and it goes through the firewall somewhere. whats that wire for? just to recap.. the only click i hear when turning the key to "on" is a relay under the dash.. and i dont hear any click from the solenoid in the engine compartment. thanks for the help guys.

well when i got the z the ac pump belt was completely destroyed.. a big chunk of the rubber was missing, and it just practically fell off when i touched it. today i got a new belt and put it on, ran fine, etc, but when i switched the ac on the engine's rpm went way down and i saw some smoke coming from the air conditioning pump. i think it was the clutch burning up? because the pump itself wasnt moving at all. but the bearing thing that the belt is connected to was spinning.. i know i had the right tension and everything. but something is frozen in the pump i guess.. how can i fix this?? thanks

i put the key in turn it, i hear a click when i turn the key to "Start" but there is no cranking from the starter. then i have to pull the key out and keep trying to start it, and eventually the starter will work. its weird... i hear the little solenoid near the passenger side make a clicking noise.. so i know the wiring from the key lock to the solenoid is good.. but from there to the starter, i can get the engine to start maybe once out of every 20 or 30 tries. i know the battery is fine and all that, i dont know if its a loose wire or not. ive even tried holding the key at the start position for like a minute.. and it just keeps the solenoid open but nothing happens. so i guess that would rule out a bad connection.. what the heck is wrong? why does it take so many tries to get my engine started? i have a 1978 280z, all the wiring is stock as far as i know.

i just got a datsun 280z from a friend, it had been sitting for a few months and i guess it just needed a battery and the clutch needed to be bled. i got it running and drove it home, the engine ran nice and smooth. i had been taking it out every other day or so, just driving around the block, and like the 4th or 5th time i drove it it just stalled.. now whenever i start it it feels like its missing or something, i pulled the spark plugs and they are all coated in oil. does this mean i need to rebuild my engine?? i mean, it ran fine before, when i drove it home. i havent changed the oil or anything. the only thing i did to the car since i got it was put a new battery in and top off the clutch fluid, and fill the gas tank. the wires seem fine, what type of spark plugs should i get? whats the difference between the resistor and non resistor plugs? i was looking at the ngk plugs because i know thats what everyone seems to rave about in this forum, but which one? there are many different kinds that i have seemed to find that fit a 78 datsun. i live in california, and it can get to 100 degrees outside.. i dont know if that makes a difference or not. also, what type of oil should i put in? since i havent changed the oil since obtaining the car, i know it should probably be first priority. what grade should i get? synthetic or non synthetic? thanks guys. keith