Starter?

[vgames33]

My '93 Nissan Sentra 1.6L has had a leaking injector for a while now, but the injector I got from the yard was a different design for some reason (if someone here happens to be an expert on GA16DE injector styles, feel free to PM me), so I haven't changed it yet. When its cold outside (generally below freezeing), I have to pull the fuel pump fuse and run the car out of gas, or the fuel will pool up in the cylinder and the engine will barely turn over, but will still fire right up. If its warm out, I do not have this problem.

Anyway, after leaving the fuse in on a warm day, my car wouldn't turn over, so I assumed it was locked up. I pulled the plugs, still nothing, only a clicking solenoid. I suspected a bad starter or connection, so I tested the power wire to the starter for continuity - out of limits. I cleaned the contacts until I got a good connection and hooked it up. I tried the key a few times, 2 clicks and then a start. I got a few more clicks, then nothing at all. Then for a while the solenoid would click three times in a row and then nothing unless it sat for a few minutes, with 2 attempts to start thrown in somewhere along the line. After letting it sit overnight, the solenoid will click over and over again, but nothing from the starter itself.

I also want to note that if I turn the headlights on while trying the key, they do not dim at all. I've also had trouble with the ignition switch from time to time. When it acts up, I have to turn it a little harder before the starter will engage. Are the starter and solenoid on seperate contacts inside the switch?

Sorry if that's a little hard to follow, I'm pretty tired.

[slideways...]

bad starter solenoid.

EDIT: oh it could be an ignition switch also, but probably not.

[vgames33]

I pulled the starter off. The only real defect I see is a broken wire, but it still looks like it should be at least completing the circuit. Is there any way to test the solenoid with a multimeter?

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...3/DSC00031.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...3/DSC00032.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...3/DSC00033.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...3/DSC00034.jpg

[slideways...]

heh thats a crucial wire for the solenoid...get a new starter.

[vgames33]

I got another starter, but I think its defective. I hooked it up, got no click from the solenoid. I pulled it back off, scuffed up the contacts, put it back on, still no good. My test light says I have power at the connector, so I'll just take it back tomorrow. I have the worst luck with rebuilds...

[vgames33]

Starter was fine. The guy at the shop (he rebuilds starters for a living) suggested that I check for amperage at the power connector that plugs into the solenoid (switched on and off by the ignition switch. He said something about putting out 10 amps, but when I tested, I only got 3.47 amps. Just for the hell of it, I hooked everything back up and the car starts just fine now. I jiggled the connector and tried again to make sure there wasn't a broken wire in there. I'm going to test the battery tomorrow morning to make sure its still ok, since the starter that came off looked like it was only about a year old.

Thanks for helping. I might not have to drive my project car in the snow now .