Stranded!

turbodog

Hi, all.
I was pulling into a parking lot. My engine died suddenly, not coughing, etc. Then it would crank but not start. Had it towed to a nearby shop (not a dealer). They read codes B2562 and B2607. I had bypassed the steering lock module about 2 years ago, and no issues since.

1st question: shouldn't a steering lock module issue (B2607) prevent cranking?

B2562 is low voltage to the BCM. Could this cause a no-start?

Any ideas welcome.

SouthArk370Z

Check the battery's condition.
Whilst you have the battery disconnected, step on the brake pedal to drain all power from ECM.
Hook up a good battery and give it a try. Engine may run rough for a bit, while ECM is relearning.
Check for any DTCs. An OBD reader can be purchased for less than $50 or most auto parts stores will lend/rent you one (some will even walk out into the parking lot and read DTCs for you).

__________________
Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub
Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

turbodog

Thanks. The battery did drain fast after it died and I was cranking it to try and restart. But it DID crank vigorously a few times before slowing down. The shop is supposedly charging and testing it now. 1st thing they wanted to to was replace the steering lock module. I said it was bypassed, and asked them to dig deeper before throwing a $1000 part at it. It was running when it failed, and allowed me to crank the engine. Does not sound like the steering lock module. Then they thought it was my key. wanted me to bring my backup key. I said, again, it was running. I can stomp the key into dust while it is running and it will keep running. They insisted, so i took them the key. Of course it didn't work. No "Key" icon while cranking. The battery was flat at that point. That's where I left it. You are right, I should have had it towed home. The said it has spark. If true, then cam and crank sensors should be OK. Maybe the fuel pump failed. Or, like you said, maybe just a failing battery....

SouthArk370Z

Buy/borrow/rent an OBD reader and get the codes yourself. Cars have gotten very good at self-diagnosis.

I agree that the problem is not the ESCL - car wouldn't try to start if it were bad. Same for fob.

My money is still on a bad battery; possibly the charging system.

__________________
Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub
Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

Quicksilvers

Sounds to be a possible issue in your charging system. It may be a bad battery and/or alternator. The fall/winter season is hard on all vehicle charging systems.

turbodog

They finally diagnosed it as a failed fuel pump (36 hours after I suggested that they check it). The low voltage code was from running the battery down cranking it fruitlessly. The steering lock code is from me pulling the fuse so long ago I forgot I did it.

So then they called and said "this thing has an aftermarket fuel pump, and the factory wiring has been altered (true, I put in a CJM hat a few years ago. Forgot it involved changing the connector). We can't replace it with am OEM module. Come get it and have it towed to a dealer to have the wiring fixed. You don't owe us anything, just pick up the keys."

So, I'm waiting for a call back from the towing company to have it towed home.

turbodog

Final report. Wire came off the fuel pump motor and shorted to ground. Pump fuse was blown. Squeezed the quick-connects with pliers to tighten them up, reinstalled, replaced the fuse, she's running fine. Cost = 2 tows, about $200 and a few hours of my time. Next time I'll have it towed home.

SouthArk370Z

Glad to hear you got it fixed.

I can understand a dealer not wanting to work on modified wiring but can't figure out why an independent shop wouldn't do it. Just cut the connector on the pump off and splice the wires.

__________________
Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub
Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

turbodog

The connector is molded into the 'hat'. They would need to hack up the new OEM module and put my CJM hat on, without the benefit of CJM's installation instructions. Sure, it could be figured out, but I can see why they balked.

When I had it towed there, I figured they would read out the DTC, replace whatever sensor had failed, and have it done while I was at work. I'm fine with the way it turned out. 2 tows was WAY cheaper than their installed price on a new fuel pump module.

1st

The independent shop cut you a break in not charging you to diagnose it. That seems like an honest shop for that.

nis350

many shops just don't want to deal with the potential issues with owner modified parts...

Asus_

They could have still charged you even a fraction of those 36 hours of diagnostics. Charging nothing is surprising, i've been in the same situation and i liked the shop so i left a nice tip.. they refused to take it but i insisted.. now whenever i go there even for something simple they do their best to help me out.

SouthArk370Z

I had a local body shop go above-and-beyond. Found out how many people they had working there and had my favorite BBQ joint deliver lunch. Nobody refuses a free lunch.

__________________
Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub
Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

turbodog

I agree that they did me a solid in the end (whoa, that didn't come out right!).
Initially I was annoyed by:
1. "We saw something similar in an Altima a few months ago. It's the steering lock module. $1000 plus installation. please..."

2. Oh, you already bypassed the steering lock? Then it must be the key. Please ride your backup transport (motorcycle) 45 minutes in the rain to go home and get the backup key and bring it here. We will continue to diagnose after we rule that out. We're sure it must be the key because it is getting spark. So, the problem must be fuel. So it MUST be the security system cutting off the fuel".

3. "Yes, we put a fuel pressure gauge on it and it is getting fuel initially, then the pressure drops while cranking"

The last clearly a bald faced lie, based on the facts that there is not port to hook up a fuel pressure gauge and the engine did not give even a hint of trying to start (which it would if the fuel system had been pressurized at all), and finally the wire was off the fuel pump. Do, no bad YELP review, but no free BBQ either