I Bought My Nissan 200SX SE-R Back After Only 8 Hours

[@GaryBowen00]

As someone who had a 1996 200SX SER 5 Speed and put 416,000 miles on it it had two major issues. It ate axles and had a total of seven replacements and it ate alternators which ended up eventually destroying other electrical equipment in the engine. The issue and the way to solve it is actually so simple. One extra ground wire on the alternator and one extra ground wire on the starter and these problems disappear. Now you might be saying to yourself it couldn't have been that simple but all of the problems I had electrically occurred within the first 150,000 mi. Three alternators and two starters and when I say 416,000 mi these were pizza delivery miles. A lot of hard driving to say the least. I was working my way through college with this car and when it failed numerous times for various electrical issues money was so tight. The axle issues were because I drove it like a demon and so I caused the axle issues. The electrical issues though were mysterious and several local electrical shops failed to solve the issues so I kept having to pay labor since the parts always died before the warranty ended. Nobody could figure out what was wrong with this car but everybody agreed with me that it was a great car. I absolutely loved driving it and owned it 15 years. How did we figure out this simple solution? Well like a lot of dumb kids I wanted a thumping stereo system and if you've ever seen the trunk of one of these cars there is plenty of room to put big speakers back there. So I purchased an amp and a speaker box with two 12-in speakers and a local shop wired everything up. Usually I would do things like this myself but because of the electrical issues I paid professionals to do this job. They were worried about the alternator being able to handle the system and while testing everything at full power one of the techs experienced an electrical shock while getting out of the vehicle. It didn't hurt him but they installed extra ground wires throughout the electrical system. Suddenly not only was this car not shocking people but it ran better in every way. Also to note the triple prong spark plugs are a must for this engine. For the next 250,000 plus miles I didn't have to replace anything except for the brakes and the axles that I was damaging with my driving style. Literally drilling a couple of bolts into the frame and running ground wires is the solution, the permanent solution and about 5 years later what did I find on a forum? Someone saying the exact same thing I'm saying now. The car is not grounded well enough. I wish I would have discovered your channel sooner so I could have saved you some money. Best car I ever owned

[@ProjectCarMedia]

Awesome story! 416k miles is a ton! Man yeah an extra couple grounds probably would’ve helped haha. I sold the car again soon after replacing the starter so I’m not sure if it continued having issues or not but it was just a cool and fun car.

[@GaryBowen00]

@@ProjectCarMedia One more thing about the car as my car was still running when I had to let it go. The 2.0 engine is so well loved in the modding and too fast too furious crowd that anytime you find a wrecked one that still has an intact engine You need to buy it as that engine is worth more than the vehicle. They drop it into Lancers and other cars It will fit into. Also the running ones are one of the best cars for drifting ever made. I didn't sell the car intact. They wanted to offer me scrap prices and I knew the engine was worth more so I yanked it put it on eBay and then got the scrap money for the frame. Much more lucrative that way if you find one with really high miles.

[@jaycoronado3441]

Great series. I have a B14 but only with the SE. I have been looking for an SE-R. I can't believe they sell for that cheap. And yes, mine does the same thing. Fix one thing only to find something else is now causing issues. I do love driving it. Thankfully, parts are super available in California especially for the GA16DE engines. I would love to get an SR20DE.

[@ProjectCarMedia]

You should definitely get a SE-R! It’s quite the upgrade from the GA16DE. Mine was that cheap but I made up for that with all the parts I bought for it lol. Thanks for watching!

[@victormanuelvelazquezvazqu231]

That was a great experience. That car just doesn't want to go, that car loves you man. I hope you and that car get the best. Best wishes.

[@ProjectCarMedia]

I don’t know about a great experience but I definitely learned a few more things. Thank you!

[@krisgordon6124]

Check your neutral safety switch and there are also some fusable link right where you connect the battery you can cut them off and run them straight that’s prob the problem

[@ProjectCarMedia]

Turns out it was actually the starter so I got lucky! I did check the neutral safety switch as well though before replacing the starter.

[@jondurdick28]

I think every enthusiast who loves cars and motorcycles and surely understand the love/hate relationship that some vehicles bring to us. Great message Josh about just plugging along and keeping upbeat. One thing you should be happy for is that the car could have gone to somebody that did not have the patience to work out the issues with it and it could have ended parked someplace to rot away, while you have done due diligence to get this car back into good running shape

[@ProjectCarMedia]

Thanks for the comment Jon! It definitely is a love/hate relationship haha.

[@edgaryzen4925]

Noob car guy here but out of curiosity, wouldnt the scan tools be able to pinpoint the issue of the car?

[@jondurdick28]

@@edgaryzen4925 Scan tools are a mixed bags in my experience to things not sending error codes.

[@sherlockholmes2703]

The car was missing you and you seem like the only one who cared about it in a long time, and this is why you had so much trouble and it didnt want to leave you..

[@ProjectCarMedia]

Very possible!

[@Jorge69MD]

I just saw the car posted on Marketplace! Looks clean!

[@ProjectCarMedia]

Thank you! It turned out pretty clean for sure! Thanks for subscribing too!

[@Jorge69MD]

@@ProjectCarMedia did you buy it from Copart Portland North? I've been wanting to do the same as you lol I picked up Saturn Aura and traded it for an Integra I wanna fix up :) I sold my Z recently for a truck and had the itch for a project car!

[@ProjectCarMedia]

@@Jorge69MD Nope I bought it from another local auction called Commercial Industrial Auctioneers. I have bought a couple cars from Copart though. I have a few videos on a CR-V that I bought from the Copart Portland North lot and restored it. That is super cool you traded a Saturn for an Integra I’d say that’s a trade up!

[@Jorge69MD]

@@ProjectCarMedia absolutely 💯 👌🏼 will look up this local auction thanks! Any suggestions on decent junkyards or somewhere I could get a decent paintjob?

[@ProjectCarMedia]

@@Jorge69MD they have auctions every couple months and you can find them on proxibid.com when they do pop up. The best junkyard I know is Facebook Marketplace lol and as far as paint goes I’ve seen some good stuff come out of Maaco in Vancouver for a decent price.

[@xFactoryUSA]

Hey!! Same No Start issue on my 95 200sx. The rubber piece on the tip of the clutch pedal, that touches the clutch/ start switch, had exploded into tiny pieces from shifting too hard. This was a few days ago, its super common on b14 Nissans. Replaced with 3M circles you put under chairs to slide on hardwood flooors. Look under dash, it seriously might not be your starter!

[@ProjectCarMedia]

That’s funny you say that because it actually was the starter at first but a couple days later the clutch pedal piece shattered on me too! I replaced it with a rubber piece and wrapped it about 5 times with duct tape to add more thickness and now it works like a charm!

[@alexlacomba359]

Same here on my 95, can’t wait to try this out

[@eamonnmckeown6770]

Had the same problem with the brake pedal and clutch on my two alternately. Dealers will practically give them to you for free IIRC. Both mine disintegrated at the same time and that was during Covid when I wasn't driving them. It's more of a hard plastic though. First I knew about it was the brake lights not going out and learned about them at that time and I found the little plastic debris on the carpet.

[@240snshorties9]

I hope you find someone who enjoys this car as much as I did, even if it was only for 8 hours :)

[@ProjectCarMedia]

I hope I do too! Sorry it didn’t work out dude! Hopefully you find something awesome.

[@240snshorties9]

@@ProjectCarMedia I hope so, just fried my prelude so she’s out of the question lmao

[@ProjectCarMedia]

@@240snshorties9 haha dang! Gotta find something!

[@calvinkukert1219]

Oh man. That’s insane. At least you’re getting some new experiences and stories.

[@ProjectCarMedia]

It really is insane lol. You’re right about the experiences even though they’re bad haha!

[@sharonhoward9632]

Good story Josh. I enjoyed it.

[@ProjectCarMedia]

Thank you mom!

[@rachelhill866]

I have my 1996 Nissan, 200sx 20 years as for the starter. It's the easiest thing to replace. It took my son 20 minutes to take it out and put it back in. And yes, these cars are known for axle. Replacements, cinstantly, I've had to change my axles many times

[@ProjectCarMedia]

@@rachelhill866 very cool! That’s a long time! It’s a great car. Thanks for watching!

[@mrdave777]

The connoisseur says the 91 SER was best. I’ve also owned the 96. If you gave me either option, both the same value, I’d take the 96!

[@ProjectCarMedia]

Well I mean if I had a choice I’d probably go with the 91 just for the independent rear suspension that’s much better than the beam suspension in the B14 but it is still a great car!

[@streetfighternissan7476]

Hey I love to see the project continue 😊

[@ProjectCarMedia]

Haha thanks! It might only be for a little bit tho!

[@eamonnmckeown6770]

I don't think they like sitting for very long. But that's every car I guess. Had to change the starter and shortly after the alternator on my SE during Covid when they sat for ever. Reasonably easy to change out as the 1600cc version has more engine bay room. Changing the clutch currently but I'm in unchartered territory so slow going for now. lol. Will probably go over the belt, water pump, ac while I'm down there. Dread doing that at some point with the SE-R.

[@ProjectCarMedia]

Yeah that’s what I’m thinking. Sitting too long in bad weather. And yes doing that maintenance on the SE-R will be a pain but worth it!

[@marcrodriguez9580]

Keep ittttt

[@ProjectCarMedia]

Too late I already sold it again! I would’ve though it was a super cool car!

[@jaineshwarlal9233]

The car just dosen't want to leave u man It's attached to you

[@ProjectCarMedia]

It definitely was for a while haha.

[@phillyboul3117]

Do you still have it? How much? Where you from? I have been looking for this car for years haven't found any near me...

[@ProjectCarMedia]

Unfortunately I ended up selling it again. Sorry man!

[@phillyboul3117]

@@ProjectCarMedia nooooooooooo. How much you eneded selling the badboy for?

[@ProjectCarMedia]

@@phillyboul3117 even though I was into it for $4500 I honored the original $3500 price. Sold it to a local enthusiast so I was happy with it!

[@adventureislife7793]

yea they are awesome cars but temperamental at time and yea u are always going to be working on them the starter was pain in the ass to do but try replacing waterpump on it oh joy probly the hardest thing on the car

[@ProjectCarMedia]

You’d think being a Nissan it wouldn’t be so temperamental but it definitely has been. And yeah the starter I can’t do by myself.

[@bwoo2828]

Anytime you have to pay shop labor prices to repair a bunch of stuff on an older car, the total labor costs will quickly add up to more than what the car is worth unless the car is a super collectible. Up to you if you want to replace the starter yourself, but here's how: kzbin.info/www/bejne/boW7Yn-eiZh6bNE

[@ProjectCarMedia]

Yep you’re right about that and that’s why I only had them fix what I couldn’t or what I didn’t have time for. Unfortunately it has been a lot of things. Starter has been replaced and everything is good now.

[@godskillers2]

Never watch his videos this was sent to me for idk what reason but all I got is this guy shouldn’t have a project car let alone making videos of it since he has to take it to a shop to get it fix and took forever to figured out it was a bad connection and/or bad sensor even after it was taken to a shop

[@ProjectCarMedia]

@@godskillers2 it was a learning experience for sure. Thanks for watching anyway.