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-   -   Car wouldn't start today (http://www.the370z.com/engine-drivetrain/63806-car-wouldnt-start-today.html)

Effen5 11-28-2012 12:02 PM

Car wouldn't start today
 
I haven't driven in my car, and its been sitting in my cold garage the last three days, I decided I was going to drive it to work today and it wouldn't start. The car sounds like it wants to turn over but it just won't.

Any ideas on what this might be? The car has only 1/4 of a tank of gas, I don't know if it might be related to fuel starvation? I know its definitely not the gas because everything works fine.

SouthArk370Z 11-28-2012 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Effen5 (Post 2036961)
The car sounds like it wants to turn over but it just won't.

Do you hear the starter solenoid when it's trying to start?
Do you hear the steering lock whirr?
Can you hear the fuel pump running?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Effen5 (Post 2036961)
Any ideas on what this might be? The car has only 1/4 of a tank of gas, I don't know if it might be related to fuel starvation? I know its definitely not the gas because everything works fine.

If you don't hear any clicks, whirrs, or buzzes, my first guess is the steering lock. Lot's of problems with that.

Effen5 11-28-2012 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z (Post 2036975)
Do you hear the starter solenoid when it's trying to start?
Do you hear the steering lock whirr?
Can you hear the fuel pump running?


If you don't hear any clicks, whirrs, or buzzes, my first guess is the steering lock. Lot's of problems with that.

It's not the steering lock, I definitely hear the steering lock whirrr. I'm not sure what the fuel pump would sound like though.

grant 11-28-2012 12:25 PM

Have the battery checked. It may not have enough energy to turn the starter. The other systems don't put the load on the battery that the starter does, and since you are in the colder part of the U.S. it is a good possibility that is the issue.

SouthArk370Z 11-28-2012 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Effen5 (Post 2036981)
It's not the steering lock, I definitely hear the steering lock whirrr. I'm not sure what the fuel pump would sound like though.

You're still not giving enough info for us to effectively troubleshoot. I understand that you may not know what to look for, so here's a lot of questions.

How many volts are you showing on the triple-gauge?
Does the voltage reading drop when you are trying to start the engine?
(My second guess is that the battery has discharged far enough to cause problems.)


Which warning lights are you seeing on the dash?

Will the indicator around the start button cycle between off, acc, and on when you press the start button with your foot OFF the brake?

Effen5 11-28-2012 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z (Post 2036996)
You're still not giving enough info for us to effectively troubleshoot. I understand that you may not know what to look for, so here's a lot of questions.

How many volts are you showing on the triple-gauge?
Does the voltage reading drop when you are trying to start the engine?
(My second guess is that the battery has discharged far enough to cause problems.)


Which warning lights are you seeing on the dash?

Will the indicator around the start button cycle between off, acc, and on when you press the start button with your foot OFF the brake?

Thank you for the great starting point. Ill take a look tonight when I get home from work and provide more info.

SouthArk370Z 11-28-2012 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Effen5 (Post 2037010)
Thank you for the great starting point. Ill take a look tonight when I get home from work and provide more info.

A few more questions/things to check/wild guesses:

Is the engine cranking at all? If so, can you smell gas at the tailpipe?
(If cranking and no gas smell, I'd investigate injector system failure. If cranking and gas smell, I'd investigate ignition system failure.)


Right now, my money is on a discharged battery. If it's the battery and it's warmed up today, you might get lucky and it will crank.

Effen5 11-28-2012 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z (Post 2037030)
A few more questions/things to check/wild guesses:

Is the engine cranking at all? If so, can you smell gas at the tailpipe?
(If cranking and no gas smell, I'd investigate injector system failure. If cranking and gas smell, I'd investigate ignition system failure.)


Right now, my money is on a discharged battery. If it's the battery and it's warmed up today, you might get lucky and it will crank.

Yes the engine is cranking and there is a gas smell from the tailpipe. You think I should possibly jump it?

SouthArk370Z 11-28-2012 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Effen5 (Post 2037059)
Yes the engine is cranking and there is a gas smell from the tailpipe. You think I should possibly jump it?

Check the battery voltage - should be somewhere close to twelve and a half volts when fully charged (12.6V = 100%, 12.35=75, 12.1=50,... with no load on the battery). If its below 12.4V or so, you may need a jump or charge.

Edit: If you have the original battery (or any unsealed one), check the fluid levels in the cells.

Edit #2: Many auto parts stores will test your battery if you can put it on their counter.

DIGItonium 11-28-2012 03:32 PM

I also have an '09, and the battery was replaced a month ago. It died so quick...

Effen5 11-28-2012 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DIGItonium (Post 2037300)
I also have an '09, and the battery was replaced a month ago. It died so quick...

We have the same color Z too :)

SPOHN 11-28-2012 05:02 PM

Batteries don't last as long in our cars as others. That's what I've been seeing here lately.

Effen5 11-28-2012 08:41 PM

I think my battery was fine, I started the engine again and put some gas to it and it started. Maybe because its been really cold in Chicago and haven't started in a few days...

DIGItonium 11-28-2012 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPOHN (Post 2037449)
Batteries don't last as long in our cars as others. That's what I've been seeing here lately.

I thought I was crazy. I could've sworn the battery in the 350Z lasted more 3 years (roughly 4), and it gave me signs of weakness for a whole week. When mine died, it wasn't even cold. It was unseasonably warm that month.

Jordo! 11-28-2012 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPOHN (Post 2037449)
Batteries don't last as long in our cars as others. That's what I've been seeing here lately.

That's because they aren't maintenance free -- have to add distilled water periodically.


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