V6 Terrano not starting

[sako13]

Hey all, Have searched a bit but not having much luck.

Truck is a 91 Terrano VG30 5spd

Over the weekend I managed to tick off a number of items that I have wanted to get done for a while.


1 - installed the new bullbar (still have to get the fairlead bolted on and winch slotted in)
2 - replaced the boot on the passengers inner CV
3 - removed the original electronic shocks and replaced with 2" longer travel shocks


After the bar install I fired it up and cruised around the vineyard a couple of times to give the dogs a bit of a run.
When firing it up I noticed it cranked slowly about 3 times before actually firing. Hmmm been sitting a while so thought the battery needs a charge I and after driving around the vineyard I left it running for 10min.

Parked up- disconnected the original electronic shocks and did the front CV then replaced all 4 shocks.

Then tried to start it - and dead. Just a one click every time I turned the key.
So took battery out and gave it a full charge overnight, installed this morning.
The battery charger says its fully charged but again just one click. I can hear the fuel pump crank for 5-6 seconds, the dash lights light up. Handbrake, battery and another light between them all light up but then stay on. Normally they go out after 10 seconds or so. Headlights go fine, windows go up and down ok. Tried to jump start it from my other truck. Again just one click.
So then tried the boat battery but same thing.

Am wondering is there a fuse or something that I should have pulled after removing the electronic shocks and its now causing a problem?

Or a starter motor problem, or give the battery a longer charge, or should i be looking at something else??

I'm about to go for a shoulder and elbow reconstruction tomorrow so if its a major I wont be doing it for a good 4-6 weeks and will drive me bloody nuts sitting with my arm all tied up

Any help would be awsome

[lax2wlg]

Maybe start by making sure the battery terminals, ground straps from engine to frame/body, and starter motor connections are all are clean and clamped tightly. I realise this will be difficult with only one arm.

Long shot but My '87 V6 had a 'clutch interlock' safety switch which would only allow it to crank if the clutch was pushed in. I don't think JDM models had that.

[Jay]

Tried giving the starter motor a couple of taps while someone else is holding the key on? Could be sticky brushes in the starter.

Jay

[sako13]

Thanks guys- yea the cables to battery, earth etc are all good.
Not sure about the clutch safety switch thing- haven't had to do that in the past so am picking its unlikely.

BTW- sorry for the double post! Bloody computer and wireless had a mental when I hit post and disconnected, reconnected as I was doing it.

[ChurchurDan]

Sounds like a starter to me. They are not to bad to get out, pull the front skid plate off and it will come out past the front of the engine once you have it unbolted.

[sako13]

OK- suspect its the starter. Popped a new battery into it and still just one click. So rechecked all the cables including the fusable link etc. Read in the Chiltons manual that it may be a sticky starter and to rock it gently in gear then try and it did give a weak cough. So got the wife to turn it over and got under it and gave it a tap. Absolutely nothing!
Since then hasn't even clicked once whereas this morning it was giving a load click each turn of the key.
Will look around and source a starter and stick it in and see I guess.

Any chance it could be the solinoid?

[ChurchurDan]

It is more likely to be out of brushes. Get it out and get an Auto Electrician to look at it.

[sako13]

Thanks mate. Will do but will have to be in about 6 weeks when my arm is recovered from an op this morning.

Could ask my brother to get it out for me!

[catalystracing]

Where are you, someone close by maybe able to help.

[Jay]

Yeah, where about's are you? If in Auck's, I'd be happy to help.

Jay

[rano99]

Thanks guys- yea the cables to battery, earth etc are all good.

just to clarify that how did you determine all the battery earth connections are good did you do a visual inspection or did you take all the connections apart and clean them up with a wire brush/sandpaper and reinstall them with a bit of grease because a visual inspection wont tell you if you have a high resistance bad connection.

[sako13]

Hey guys, out of the op and doped to the eyeballs@!

Jay thanks for the offer of help but I'm down in Blenhiem so not much good mate.
Awsome offer though thanks!

Think Im going to have just wait till the arm is right to sort it now.

Rano i pulled them all and then checked them over. Didn't sandpaper them though, just wiped them all clean with whey alcohol and reinstalled. Have run out of dielectric grease as well so didnt grease them.

May have to have another go at it and give them a good scratch up to get clean metal..