Wierd Problem I had tonight

[GTRDemon]

Well I was leaving my buddy's house, and when i went to turn on my GTR it wouldnt start.
When I would prime it (place the key and turn to power and let fuel pump whine you know what im talking about).
I would then go and try to turn it on after but all i got was this single "click" noise but no power.
So first I thought battery, maybe forgot to turn off headlights etc but I clearly remeber I turned them off and also was getting electric power to stereo and lights.
So I kept on trying it: turn off, re-stick key into ignition, prime and try to fire here up, but no luck, just this single "click".

But heres the weird part, since i had no luck I thought well what if i try to turn the car on without priming it first. So soon as I insert the key and push all the way to ignition, The car actually started Yay!!

I also thought it may have been because of fuel but I still have a bit over a quarter tank. Maybe if temperature plays a role it was about 10 degrees Celsius outside.
Well anyways if you can please help me understand what the problem is casue im totally baffled lol.

Thanks

PS. Oh this has never happened before, this is the first time ever lol

[GTRADDICT]

It's a possibility that your batterie is almost gone... The few seconds of priming could kill the battery just enought so that it wont start... The clicking noise is probably your starter drive poping out but not turning... I bet if you turn on your lights before starting it won't start. Check your batterie with a load meter.

[DarkCaporaL]

If it's not the battery I'd check for a loose connection (battery terminal for example).

[Bossman]

Check and clean your battery terminals for corrosion/oxidation, if there is enough resistance build-up then you won't have the current to run the starter. Sometimes if you turn your headlights on they will pull enough current through the clamps and then you'll be able to run the starter.

[Skym]

If battery is low, dash light (can't remember which one, was ages ago that it happened) will flash and hear a beep sound behind dash. But on some Skylines the beeper is taken out.

If due to cold conditions, sometimes it's the battery itself. I would suggest a dry cell battery, as engine starts better in cold conditions. Most racecars run drycell battery's, because if you pick the right drycell battery they save weight (up to 14kg, as wet cell battery weighs around 20kg).

[GTRDemon]

Thanks a lot for the help guys.

Well this morning I checked the voltage on the battery, and i got a reading of 12.77 volts, so the battery is fine.
Plus I just bought this battery last year brand new.
So anyways went to turn it on, I primed it first, heard the whine from fuel pump, then try to fire it up, and Voila! turned on without any hesitation.
This was with headlights turned off.
Then decided tot urn it off with the headlights on, etc. So I turn on headlights, prime, and turn it into ignition, and turned on without any hesitation.
Anyways I still have no idea lol but could it be a problem with the alternator?

[GTRADDICT]

not the alternator... battery was at 12.7. Sounds more like loose connection.

[Bossman]

It could be the first sign of a worn starter contact.

[GTRDemon]

It could be the first sign of a worn starter contact.

How could I test it if this could be the problem?
Would I have to get a brand new starter?

Because this just happened again to me tonight. Went to go turn it on and "Click"!
But it turned on after a couple tries without priming the engine.

Oh and thanks again everyone i really appreciate the help, Thank You

[Bossman]

The sure way to find out if it's the contact(s) is to take the starter apart. I said contact because Did you inspect and clean the battery terminals as I mentioned first? You should also clean the cable ends that are connected to the starter contact terminals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmc8QO1VXMo

[cschepp]

Ignitor!!!! Give that a shot

[LBG-888]

i have the same problem, although its much worst... happens about 50% of the time when i try to start it...
its most likely your starter motor...
get it rebuilt or search for a new one...