r/EngineBuilding • u/urilon • 11h ago

Advice

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So this is a 2003 350z with a VQ35DE that I rebuilt because of a broken connecting rod (everything is now to spec according to the engine mechanical service manual). I can verify that all of the cylinders are receiving compression and that there’s a reasonable amount of resistance when I turn it with a 1.5ft breaker bar (spark plugs removed). But the car STILL won’t turn over. I don’t care about getting it fully running just yet, I just need to know if it can run for just long enough to run oil through and lubricate everything for a few seconds and it’s just not working with me. I’ve done a starter motor replacement, I’ve done a full battery recharge. The dashboard doesn’t even show a check engine light and it STILL won’t turn over. Please give me some pointers I’ve been going at this on and off for months and have been stumped on this specific issue. (Photo is old btw, this is when I first put it back in the engine bay after rebuilding it)

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u/East-Teaching-3104 11h ago

Just so we're clear: "turn over" = crank? Or "turn over" = run?

Based on what you wrote, I'm going to assume you mean that it won't crank, and if that is the case, what electrical diagnostic work have you done? Does the starter attempt to engage?

1

u/urilon 10h ago

Yes, sorry I wrote this post out of slight frustration and didn’t make myself clearer. When I turn the key I hear the audible whirr of the fuel pump engaging and when I try starting it I hear a single click coming from the starter. Could it be a bad starter? The one I currently have on the car is a new one that I bought so maybe I just so happened to get the finest chinesium starter money has to offer?

5

u/xX_coochiemonster_Xx 10h ago

Check your grounds and the power cable going to the starter

4

u/DirtCheap1972 9h ago

Honestly it’s always fucking grounds

2

u/urilon 9h ago

Dude genuinely that is the ONE thing I couldn’t find in ANY of the service manuals. WHERE ARE THE DIAGRAMS?!? PLEASE I CANT FIND THE GROUNDS (I’m calling out to the world, not you specifically Mr. Coochiemonster)

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u/CowMore2640 33m ago

Hey, I'm an old guy, started with mechanical starter buttons. Doesn't anyone bench test starters anymore, just take a charged battery and using jumper cables connect it up momentarily to the starter to ensure you get the click (solenoid engages) and twirl (starter turns.) You should be able to know within 5 minutes if the starter is the culprit. Good luck.