Ok, so I have (as far as I know and, my I can see) all wires and hoses connected, but my Z refuses to start.

Just a reminder, I did a tranny swap (AT -> MT) and I rebuilt my engine.

The starter will not engage and as far as I can tell, the only thing that seems to work is the fuel pump, and that's because I can hear it. Starter doesn't do anything, and I'm even using the same starter that was used with the manual tranny.

Any ideas? 'Cause I'm running out of them, lol

 

I say run some battery cables to the starter post and see if it will kick...if it does not then probably a bad starter...if it does then something between the key and the starter is stopping it from working....I think there is wires on the auto that keep it from starting somehow...if they are not connected or hot wired with the manual tranny you may not be able to start it till you "hot wire" those wires or wire....I am sure someone else on here knows more about that.

 

Yeah, I tested the starters (both the one that I used on the AT and the MT) and both fire up just fine.

But you may be on to something about the AT wires.

The MT has two wires (which I assume are for reverse) that are not connected at this time; however, I had them connected at one point, but that didin't help either.

 

This may seem stupid but make sure the negitive wire has a good contact, I use to have this same problem with my Corvette.

Just an idea.

 

Just to double check on the starter wiring..

The wire that connects to the solenoid (top screw) is the positive battery cable. Right below this wire there's a yellow wire that connects to a flat end on the solenoid.
Then the negative cable that connects to the battery goes connected to the top starter bolt.

Just want to make sure my wiring is proper.

 

Looks correct. Did you make sure they're clean? Take a rag with carb cleaner, and just wipe off any junk that could be on there.

 

Yeah, they're clean.

At this point I can only guess that what thxone was talking about (the AT wires) could be preventing the car from starting.

I know there are a pair of wires from my old AT tranny that connect under the driver side; maybe those got something to do.

 

hey everyone i missed the msa meet i'm looking parts for a 80 280zx.

 

I'm actually quite sure that it has something to do with the solenoid that prohibits the car from starting in anything other than park or neutral.

I'll scan my Haynes manual with the page about it for you.

 

Yeah, that's what I'm leaning towards now...since I did the tranny swap.

 

Get your own thread.

 

So, I think I got it down to the AT that need to be hot wired for my engine to start - but I'm having a hard time identifying the wires.

Doing a bit of research, I found this:
"The speedo cable and the wiring were the same with the exception of the overdrive switch, which I removed, and the neutral kill switch which I bypassed. This switch, if installed, keeps the car from starting unless it is in neutral. "

But I know I'm missing something else.

 

So, I figured it out!

Basically, the AT has an inhibitor switch that handles back-up lights and the safety neutral/park position.
Wires black and black/yellow are the ones that need to be 'hot wired' to allow the engine to start.