Help! What to do?

moody_i · 05-13-2015, 09:58 AM

Hello everyone, I purchased a 2009 Nissan 370Z about a week ago and there are some issues that I don't know what could possibly be the problem. First of all, traction control remains off. Previous owner said that all I have to do is take it to a Nissan dealership so they could reprogram it since it initially was altered to be a draft car. Second, the car drives straight when the steering wheel is upside down. Mind you, this 370z is salvaged. I'm sure it needs alignment, but I feel like something needs to be changed? Any suggestions?

Uxi · 05-13-2015, 10:06 AM

Salvage doesn't necessarily mean anything. I had a car totalled by insurance when nothing was at all wrong with it. It's just a math problem for the insurance companies and liability problem for a repair shop who will say "new engine" when you only need to flush the oil and change the filter.

You should get a pro inspection, more from a trustworthy mechanic who knows the Z than Nissan themselves. Nissan themselves might not hurt but they'll obviously suggest OEM and not want to touch any aftermarket obviously.

moody_i · 05-13-2015, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uxi

Salvage doesn't necessarily mean anything. I had a car totalled by insurance when nothing was at all wrong with it. It's just a math problem for the insurance companies and liability problem for a repair shop who will say "new engine" when you only need to flush the oil and change the filter.

You should get a pro inspection, more from a trustworthy mechanic who knows the Z than Nissan themselves. Nissan themselves might not hurt but they'll obviously suggest OEM and not want to touch any aftermarket obviously.

Thank you for your suggestion. I will definitely do that. It's all a mind game when people say salvage, I agree with that.

gomer_110 · 05-13-2015, 10:09 AM

Both problems are most likely related. The traction control system sees the strange steering angle and doesn't know what to do so it simply quits working. My guess is that once the steering angle issue is resolved the traction control will work fine.

As far as the strange steering angle I'd guess the coupling on the steering shaft in the engine bay isn't aligned properly. I know for some mods you have to disconnect it so hopefully it's just a matter of it not being recoupled correctly.

TerribleONE · 05-13-2015, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moody_i

Hello everyone, I purchased a 2009 Nissan 370Z about a week ago and there are some issues that I don't know what could possibly be the problem. First of all, traction control remains off. Previous owner said that all I have to do is take it to a Nissan dealership so they could reprogram it since it initially was altered to be a draft car. Second, the car drives straight when the steering wheel is upside down. Mind you, this 370z is salvaged. I'm sure it needs alignment, but I feel like something needs to be changed? Any suggestions?

Hope you can get everything taken care of fairly easily.

JARblue · 05-13-2015, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moody_i

draft car

Do you mean "drift car"? Did you not have a mechanic look at it prior to purchase since you knew it was a drift car? If not, I'd say you got exactly what you paid for

I'd take it to a good shop mechanic asap (not Nissan). Good luck with the repairs

moody_i · 05-29-2015, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomer_110

Both problems are most likely related. The traction control system sees the strange steering angle and doesn't know what to do so it simply quits working. My guess is that once the steering angle issue is resolved the traction control will work fine.

As far as the strange steering angle I'd guess the coupling on the steering shaft in the engine bay isn't aligned properly. I know for some mods you have to disconnect it so hopefully it's just a matter of it not being recoupled correctly.

Turned out to be the clock spring. Thanks for helping !

05-13-2015, 09:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
moody_i Base Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Baldwin Park California Age: 30 Posts: 131 Drives: 2009 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 11	Help! What to do? Hello everyone, I purchased a 2009 Nissan 370Z about a week ago and there are some issues that I don't know what could possibly be the problem. First of all, traction control remains off. Previous owner said that all I have to do is take it to a Nissan dealership so they could reprogram it since it initially was altered to be a draft car. Second, the car drives straight when the steering wheel is upside down. Mind you, this 370z is salvaged. I'm sure it needs alignment, but I feel like something needs to be changed? Any suggestions?

05-13-2015, 10:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
gomer_110 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Perrysburg, OH Posts: 17,992 Drives: '11 Nismo #528 GM Rep Power: 36941	Both problems are most likely related. The traction control system sees the strange steering angle and doesn't know what to do so it simply quits working. My guess is that once the steering angle issue is resolved the traction control will work fine. As far as the strange steering angle I'd guess the coupling on the steering shaft in the engine bay isn't aligned properly. I know for some mods you have to disconnect it so hopefully it's just a matter of it not being recoupled correctly. SouthArk370Z and moody_i like this. __________________ '11 370Z Nismo #528 Fast Intentions \| Stillen \| Motordyne \| Uprev \| CSF \| Zspeed \| Z1 Motorsports \| AST \| Swift \| SPC \| SPL \| Whiteline \| Hotchkis \| Bride \| Schroth \| Robispec \| Cusco \| Nismo \| Volk \| Forgestar \| Hoosier \| RJM '17 Titan Bone Stock

05-13-2015, 10:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
Uxi Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Southern California Posts: 303 Drives: 16 NISMO Tech PW 6MT Rep Power: 3599	Salvage doesn't necessarily mean anything. I had a car totalled by insurance when nothing was at all wrong with it. It's just a math problem for the insurance companies and liability problem for a repair shop who will say "new engine" when you only need to flush the oil and change the filter. You should get a pro inspection, more from a trustworthy mechanic who knows the Z than Nissan themselves. Nissan themselves might not hurt but they'll obviously suggest OEM and not want to touch any aftermarket obviously.