So I've been trying to sell my Datsun so it's kind of been sitting for a bit without being driven around. I decided to fire it up today to take it for a spin around the block but it wouldn't start. At first it was only just cranking and now it's cranking very very slowly. The starter is new and the battery is fairly new also. Do you guys think it's the ignition switch? I thought it might be a dead battery so I tried to jump start it but that didn't help either.

Also my lights do come on and the radio works also.

It is normal for the battery to lose some capacity while sitting. And the more the engine is cranked without starting, the lower the battery gets. All normal. Jump-start compensates for low battery. That's all. It doesn't help start the car, all it does is transfer enough battery to turn the engine over at normal speed. If the engine is turning too slow it usually won't start

So why doesn't it start right up? Usually because of a lack of gasoline. Pump the pedal 2 or 3 times to squirt gas into the engine, then twist the key to START. However if the engine has been sitting for a while, the carburetor will be empty and will need to be cranked for a while until the fuel pump fills the carburetor. After that, 2 or 3 pumps will do the job

The second most commmon problem is spark. If you engine still has the original-type points distributor, the points may be corroded and so not starting. Per the owners manual they are supposed to be replaced every 12 months

To make the engine start, here's what I do:
1. Pump gas pedal one time. Remove lid from air cleaner. Ensure that choke is closed

GOOD - choke closed all the way



WRONG - choke not closing all the way



If it doesn't close all the way, it won't start in cold weather. See Choke Adjustment

2. Refit lid to air cleaner. Squirt two puffs of Starting Fluid into air cleaner snorkel

3. Turn key to START until engine is running

Starting Fluid guarantees that the engine has fuel regardless of fuel pump, fuel pressure, or carburetor. So it will fire/catch (although it may not stay running) - we've even used it on engines where the carburetor is removed. If you use Starting Fluid and there is no Fire, it indicates the Spark is bad and should be checked

I removed the air cleaner and noticed that the choke wasn't closed all the way. I'll try to adjust it tomorrow when there's light out.

My car doesn't have points anymore. I switched over to a pertronix ignitor kit a year ago.

Do you think this is an issue with the choke and nothing else? It is seriously cranking sooooo slow. Side note is that it did start up alright about 3 weeks ago and I even took it for a 5 mile round trip with no issues. I just had to pump the gas pedal for a bit. The weather has gotten a little colder since then but I'm based in LA so it's never really that cold.

Slow cranking will prevent the engine from starting. Use jumper cables to enable normal-speed cranking. If the battery is way low, leave the cables on for 15 minutes before trying to start the engine. The 15 minutes will allow the battery to gain a little charge

If it's under 65 degrees the choke will help

Normal starting (winter or summer) uses 2-3 gas pedal pumps. It only requires more if the carburetor has run dry (meaning the first pedal pumps don't actually squirt any gas. Not until the engine has cranked enough for the fuel pump to fill the carburetor will the pumps actually squirt some fuel in the engine)

Oh yeah, electronic ignition needs more volts. If during cranking the voltage drops to 6 volts the old points will still spark, but electronic ignition will completely stop below about 7 to 11 volts. Jumper cables will work around that problem

This is a video of me trying to start my datsun while it is connected with jumper cables my other car with a good battery. It is still slow cranking and the jumper cables don't seem it help it at all. I left the cables attached for at least 10mins before I tried to start the car. http://tinypic.com/r/2vi0d2h/9

That's barely cranking. It won't start like that

Either the battery or the starter is bad. I would temporarily swap the battery with a known good one, say from your other car. If it cranks right over, get a new battery. If it does the same thing, replace the starter

Check your earths too. Run the neg off the jumper cable to the engine rather than the battery terminal, try and get close to the starter on the mounting bolts if you can. You can also run the pos direct to the starter, but it is hard to get it to hold there if you dont have a helper. This eliminates any voltage drop or wiring issues.
If that doesnt work pull the starter motor and bench test it.
JD

So I fixed the open choke and the car started for a few weeks. Now I can't start it again. Battery is good, starter is good and butterfly choke is closed all the way.

The car currently just cranks strongly but won't turn over. I've tried stepping on the throttle 5-10 times to get a good amount of gas in but no luck.