Anyone experienced this odd electrical problem?
 

Hello!

I am a proud owner of a 2009 370Z, and it has been running very well with frequent services. However, I have been running into an odd electrical (I think) problem over the past two days.

First time: I stepped back into my car to try to start it, but the whole electrical system seems to have shutdown - the lights / remote control / pushing on the ignition was met with silence, and even the door was seemingly stuck. The car came back to life after about 5 minutes, but all the settings were lost.

Second time: I turned my car off after arriving, and the power was out again - I had to wait a number of minutes for the car to turn itself back on

Third time: I pressed ignition to try to start the car, and the power loss happened again. I think I waited 5 to 10 minutes (enough time for me to exit out of the passenger seat to open the hood) before the car's electrical power came back.

Is this a common problem for a Z that is 10 years old?

Thanks!

Well I haven't had mine for that long but this would not be normal for any car. After a 3rd time you should be more concerned of what is going on than keeping the habit of waiting. Did you make any modification before this start happening? Or something involving disconnecting the battery? I'd have it checked out on my 2nd time but that's just me.

Could it be as simple as loose or corroded battery terminals?

Noop, not common. Have your battery checked. It is the most likely cause.

Everything is factory stock. Battery is somewhat new. If it happens again I will take it to the shop (it is kind of far).

I hope it is not a problem with the ignition or some wires in between.

Sounds like a dead short or a bad connection at the battery.
I would have it looked at before it leaves you stranded in a critical situation.


Kirk B.

If the key fob also isn't making the car respond, it's most likely your battery. Just take it to autozone and have them test it. Don't rely on the volt gauge on the dash.

So when the car does eventually start, does if fire right up or does it struggle to turn over? Struggling to turn over would suggest a weak battery while firing right up would suggest a wiring issue.

Possibly battery with bad cell. It can cause sporadic electrical issues. It can happen to newer batteries as well. Take a volt meter and check the voltage with the car off. If its around 10v the cell is dead.

Thanks everyone for your response - I will have it checked as soon as possible.

When the car's electrical power eventually come back, everything works immediately (CD spits out the disc then loads back in, any lights I tired to turn on turns on), and car turns on right away when I press the ignition. It really felt as if some bad connections were suddenly restored again.

It really was the car version of power coming back and every appliances that stopped go back to whatever they were doing.

What's a CD? :rofl2:

First thing I'd do is check the battery terminals. Look for any corrosion and check that the connectors are tight. If you see any corrosion, take the connectors off and clean them and the battery posts (you can find a cleaning tool at any auto parts store). Tighten connectors, if needed.

Id put my money on at the battery posts/terminals. Remove the cable, clean and retighten.