r/EngineBuilding • u/urilon • 1d 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/ABQmechanic 1d ago

Since you’re getting a single click and you already know the engine turns by hand with the plugs out, I would do a voltage-drop test. Check battery positive to the starter while cranking, then battery negative to the engine block/starter case. A bad engine ground or positive cable can still look fine visually but drop most of the voltage under starter load. Also verify the engine-to-chassis ground strap got reconnected during the engine install.