90s Nissan 100NX running repairs

[Nomad]

I got this given as a non-runner a couple of years ago (it had been parked in a dry garage since owner / driver left us 20 years ago, it had been in use until then but standing since).

New tyres, battery and service got it on the road.


Stripping and free’ing the seized front callipers after a borderline performance at mot time improved things a lot.

 

[Nomad]

Problems galore .. I had an important appointment January 3rd so drove there.
The car died as I was parking outside the destination so it got pushed into a handy parking bay and left.

I’ve been away, got back recently and paid recovery to drag it back to my workshop on Saturday.
The problem was soon traced to a faulty fuel pump, now replaced with a universal electric pump and car was working again.

I went out on Monday, car died again .. recovery brought it back again (twice in 3 days!)

 

[Nomad]

It won’t turn over on the starter motor.

The recovery chap did say the battery fitted is a poor make, shame the car has oddball small battery posts and they are the only manufacturer.
Battery is about a year old (the new one that came with the car died after a year so I bought a new one myself) I was going to check the date on the receipt then found out the place a bought it from closed recently so returning it even if it’s died isn’t an option.

The battery and earth cables are 30 year old originals and look it so I spent a while cleaning the connections, no improvement.
Removed the starter motor and


The stater barely turns over off the car using jumper cables so it needs a new starter..

One of the relays under the dash now clicks several times when you turn on the ignition so that will need looking at asap..


As I was walking away I noticed one of the front inner wheel arches is dripping wet - touching it found thick heavy grease so I’m guessing a CV boot is also on the shopping list.

It was given to me, I’m close to giving it away myself (but only to someone who has really annoyed me).

 

[frank horton]

please keep going with the jobs....I'll be a great car when sorted.....
really worth the effort....

 

[dave h 2]

One of the relays under the dash now clicks several times when you turn on the ignition so that will need looking at asap..

If you are going straight to start I don't think it will be, a starter drawing more current than the battery can supply will cause the relay to drop out which disconnects the starter and allows the relay to re-engage only to be dropped out by the lack of battery again so it goes tac a tac a tac till you let go of the key and stop torturing it.

Jump the starter from another car

 

[wyn]

I'd just get a new oilite bush and chuck it in the end of the starter.

 

[Nomad]

One of the relays under the dash now clicks several times when you turn on the ignition so that will need looking at asap..

If you are going straight to start I don't think it will be....

Jump the starter from another car

The clicking (about 4 clicks) is when I turn the ignition fully "On" (no noise in the "Accessories" position)
This is all without trying to start the car, it's the same even with the starter motor removed.

Recovery chap ran jumpleads from his beavertail truck and it still wouldn't start ... it bump started ok but cut out after a couple of minutes so I suspect the starter isn't the only issue but it's the first one I need to fix.


@wyn I was wondering if that was long-term wear or if a sleeve / bush had failed and dropped out.
In the past it has always spun over quickly and always fired up almost instantly which makes me think something has dropped out.
Facilities and options around here are very limited, I have scrapyard a mile away, if they don't have something I can fit, my other choices are bite the bullet and get a new starter online or at the local motor factors ££££

 

[Robotstar5]

Replace the battery terminal clamps with standard size so you can fit a decent battery?

 

[Nomad]

Replace the battery terminal clamps with standard size so you can fit a decent battery?

Already being considered thanks but it would leave me with this oddball battery which might actually work fine with a not-scrap starter motor.

Negative cable is easy, battery terminal to chassis to engine block. All are showing their age so a new clamp with new cables makes sense.
Positive is tricky as the clamp works as a junction box for 3 large cables (feeds to starter & fusebox, also something I've not identified).

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I've had Japanese cars in the past with the small terminals...I think you can now buy converters for them to fit standard UK post sizes and allow the existing wires in the car to still be used.

Basically it's a standard battery clamp with a small battery post attached type thingy.

 

[Nomad]

I've had Japanese cars in the past with the small terminals...I think you can now buy converters for them to fit standard UK post sizes and allow the existing wires in the car to still be used.

Basically it's a standard battery clamp with a small battery post attached type thingy.

Educational thanks but clearance around the battery is tight due to the low bonnet line.

For info, i have a couple of sets of adapters to do the reverse, tapered lead sleeves that fit over the small battery terminals, outside is standard battery post size.
It means I can use the battery on other cars that are wired for standard - full size - battery posts.
I never knew they existed until the chap in my local motor factors dug them out from his back room