I've read the various starting threads to no avail.

Here's what my car does. In the morning, it will turn over but not start. I have to give it 3-4 long starts. The starter SEEMS fine, but at some point during the attempt to start, it will make the "plunger stuck" sound and stop the engine from turning over, then immediately begin turning over again.

Eventually it will start and run rough at first for a few secs - I think because it is flooded. I can smell fuel on startup, so I presume it is getting gas.

During the day, sometimes it will start with a quick burst, sometimes the plunger will get stuck, and sometimes it'll turn over for a while.

I've had the problem in one form or another for a while now but always believed it to be a ground related issue since I used thread lock on the tranny to engine bolts. I've since pulled all but one and cleaned - still get the problem. Basically, I've had the problem since I changed the clutch. The orig starter was making the whirring sound before the clutch change but then was just dead afterwards - so I put the new one on.

My thoughts are:

1. starter is bad - but that doesn't explain why it won't start when it is turning over. This is a fairly new starter - so I haven't replaced it.

2. I have a ground problem that causes the plunger to stick - but again - why no start when turning over. I don't know how to test to determine if this is the problem.

3. I have a problem with one/both sensors - but from what I was told, if that was the problem, the car wouldn't start at all - is that true? Is there a way to test these?

4. Coils are bad - but I've replaced all 6 already. I've seen the threads on testing and they seem inconclusive and I've got no codes. Plugs are pretty new.

5. Is it possible that the timing ring was misinstalled when I changed the clutch? I don't see how, as I remember it, there was only one way to install that.

Battery is fine and I'm assuming that fuel is fine.

Any ideas??

 

Is it possible that your starter isn't getting sufficient ampreage?
I.E. Voltage drop between battery and starter?
If you think that it may be. set your multimeter on Volts. Red lead on Bat + and black lead on starter power wire. I'm not sure Nissan' spec, but USUALLY .5 volts or less is a good number.

 

It could be your spark plugs...

 

I'll try checking the voltage - guess I could do that to determine ground as well.

Plugs have only about 40 k on them and they are ngk plats.

I'm about to start replacing pieces till I get it figured out.

Does anyone know if you can have a bad crank sensor and have the car still start?