why does my car only start and run for 5 sec then stop, but start again

Asked by 4master2chief0 Feb 15, 2013 at 10:22 PM about the 1986 Nissan 300ZX 2 Dr 2+2

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Car has sat for awhile, used jumper cables to start it, drove
it for 20 min then battery died so i went to jump start it
again and 1 simple mistake i did was put the positve cable
on the negative side and negative on other side, the fuse
box started smoking and now it will start butdie in a few sec
like its not getting fuel and i checked the fuses and they
looked okay but im no mechanic, need some good advice
for help... Thanks       1986 300zx non turbo

7 Answers

burnt. need a new voltage regulator, and the diodes in the alternator are blown. Get yourself a replacement alt, using the burnt one as a core- look at bulbs, radio etc, to make sure everything works normally. Radios do not like reverse voltage, so you may have to replace that one as well. damned sorry this mistake happened. thank god nothiing caught on fire or the battery didn't explode in your face and take out the eyeball and part of the skull (sadly worked at a lawyers office...) inspect all systems once you've changed out the alternator....I'll be expecting a full report on my desk in the morning!

2 people found this helpful.
1,345

he may be right on the altenator ect, but there is a fuse in the main power distributoion box that you may want to check first cause if its blown this may happen also if the fuel pump fuse is blown it will do this too, do to the fact it has two pumps one is a ten second pump that primes the fuel line first while cranking and the other one in the tank takes over when the car either starts and is controlled by the distributor and the injector side of the circuit or two2, is when the oil pressure comes up the oil pressure switch acts like a light switch so when pressure is present the pump turns on.

1 people found this helpful.

When smoke begins coming out of a fuse box, bad news, but that's why god invented diodes. A diode is a device that allows current to flow in only one direction among other things. In non automotive uses it can be a rectifier changing AC to DC and some diodes will produce light. there you have an LED, light emitting diode

Bob you would be amazed at the number of times I have watch people change batteries in a car, and jump start cars, all the while with a lighted cigarette either in hand or lips. For anybody that dos not know, lead acid car batteries emit gasses and kaboooooooom

yeah, my dad (the battery engineer) and my uncle barry (the lawyer) testified for a battery explosion case. I was employed as a copy boy at the age of fifteen. Guy lost his eye and part of the skull. Should be dual vented containment of the lead acid. it was defective.

Your Answer:

300ZX

Looking for a Used 300ZX in your area?

CarGurus has 82 nationwide 300ZX listings starting at $6,800.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

1986 Nissan 300ZX

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    dandyoun
    Reputation
    410
  • #2
    Jamie Staples
    Reputation
    400
  • #3
    macevanscb
    Reputation
    350
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Corvette
693 Great Deals out of 12,039 listings starting at $4,995
Used Ford Mustang
895 Great Deals out of 24,130 listings starting at $1,800
Used Toyota Supra
30 Great Deals out of 550 listings starting at $34,990
Used Nissan 200SX
2 listings
Used Nissan Skyline
40 listings
Used Chevrolet Camaro
549 Great Deals out of 10,090 listings starting at $2,000
Used Mazda RX-7
25 listings
Used BMW 3 Series
1,072 Great Deals out of 13,280 listings starting at $955

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.