Inexplicable loss of power in my 370Z

Z Ninja · 05-11-2018, 08:15 PM

I have an inexplicable loss of power issue with my 2014 370Z. I pulled out of the parking lot from work and immediately noticed I'm being limited on my power. I could shift into 2nd gear and put the accelerator all the way to the floor and not get much past 3,000 RPM. No engine warning lights or anything on the cluster. Idles fine, runs smoothly. I stopped for groceries, started the car up again, problem disappeared. I took it to the dealer and they charged for diagnostics and said they couldn't get the problem to repeat, but had a single failure of the brake switch. They replaced the brake switch, under warranty, minus $100 deductible. Apparently the theory is the brake switch limits the engine if it detects you're on the brake while trying to accelerate.

First couple of times driving it, no problems. As soon as I pulled out of the parking lot from work, same thing again! I pulled over, shut the engine down, started it back up, problem gone.

What can I look for? I've read similar articles online suggesting dirty MAF sensor, maybe engine computer has a bad grounding problem. Another suggested disconnecting the battery to reset everything.

Does anyone have more ideas? I don't want to continue to be charged diagnostic fees and have them find nothing and unable to repeat the problem.

SouthArk370Z · 05-11-2018, 09:09 PM

You can check the brake switch with a multimeter.

Cleaning the MAFs is a very easy job. More than one DIY on this site. Possibly a vid or three on Youtube.

You can buy an OBD tool that will read DTCs for as little as $30 at most auto supply stores. Or you can spend more to get data logging and other features. Most auto supply places will loan/rent OBD tools.

UNKNOWN_370 · 05-12-2018, 11:26 PM

Sounds like your car made itself believe it had to go into limp mode?

HEK · 05-13-2018, 01:45 AM

start with the easy DIY things, MAF sensors, throttle body cleaning, a little time will save you money, then you can go to the dealer for their diagnostic, but if you got a check engine light, have Autozone check out the code for free
..

markesc · 05-13-2018, 03:57 PM

Same thing occurred with mine.

Take it back and make them clean the MAF.

DOOMMONKEY777 · 05-13-2018, 05:23 PM

Change the bushing between the steering wheel and the seat.

Sure your clutch n lsd r ok?

Quicksilvers · 05-13-2018, 07:34 PM

Could also possibly be a fuel related issue. The Nissan Sentra I had experienced similar symptoms and turned out to be a faulty fuel pump that needed to be replaced. Faulty fuel injectors I would suspect as well.

Z Ninja · 05-14-2018, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

You can check the brake switch with a multimeter.

Cleaning the MAFs is a very easy job. More than one DIY on this site. Possibly a vid or three on Youtube.

You can buy an OBD tool that will read DTCs for as little as $30 at most auto supply stores. Or you can spend more to get data logging and other features. Most auto supply places will loan/rent OBD tools.

I would think a problem with the MAF sensor should generate a code, but they said the only code they had was brake sensor. I'm not using an oily after market air intake, so that shouldn't be dirtying up the sensor.

I disconnected the negative battery terminal for a few minutes to reset the ECU. So far it hasn't done it again, but if it does, back to the dealer it will go.

05-11-2018, 08:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
Z Ninja Base Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 58 Drives: 14 370Z BLK 6MT Rep Power: 10	Inexplicable loss of power in my 370Z I have an inexplicable loss of power issue with my 2014 370Z. I pulled out of the parking lot from work and immediately noticed I'm being limited on my power. I could shift into 2nd gear and put the accelerator all the way to the floor and not get much past 3,000 RPM. No engine warning lights or anything on the cluster. Idles fine, runs smoothly. I stopped for groceries, started the car up again, problem disappeared. I took it to the dealer and they charged for diagnostics and said they couldn't get the problem to repeat, but had a single failure of the brake switch. They replaced the brake switch, under warranty, minus $100 deductible. Apparently the theory is the brake switch limits the engine if it detects you're on the brake while trying to accelerate. First couple of times driving it, no problems. As soon as I pulled out of the parking lot from work, same thing again! I pulled over, shut the engine down, started it back up, problem gone. What can I look for? I've read similar articles online suggesting dirty MAF sensor, maybe engine computer has a bad grounding problem. Another suggested disconnecting the battery to reset everything. Does anyone have more ideas? I don't want to continue to be charged diagnostic fees and have them find nothing and unable to repeat the problem.

05-11-2018, 09:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324197	You can check the brake switch with a multimeter. Cleaning the MAFs is a very easy job. More than one DIY on this site. Possibly a vid or three on Youtube. You can buy an OBD tool that will read DTCs for as little as $30 at most auto supply stores. Or you can spend more to get data logging and other features. Most auto supply places will loan/rent OBD tools. UNKNOWN_370 and Zingston like this. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

05-12-2018, 11:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
UNKNOWN_370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ny'r livn in tx Posts: 8,687 Drives: well over 130m.p.h. Rep Power: 14857	Sounds like your car made itself believe it had to go into limp mode? NISMO IX likes this. __________________ Favorite Quote. "I'm not gonna kill you... I'm just gonna Bash Your Face In" Jack Nicholson-"The Shining". 1980

05-13-2018, 01:45 AM	#4 (permalink)
HEK Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: WESTFIELD, MA Age: 65 Posts: 491 Drives: '13 Z Tour Sports 6m Rep Power: 660	start with the easy DIY things, MAF sensors, throttle body cleaning, a little time will save you money, then you can go to the dealer for their diagnostic, but if you got a check engine light, have Autozone check out the code for free .. bthomas87 likes this.

05-13-2018, 05:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
DOOMMONKEY777 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Crooklyn Posts: 1,008 Drives: 370Z 6psd-sport-pkg Rep Power: 20	Change the bushing between the steering wheel and the seat. Sure your clutch n lsd r ok? __________________ Kids don't do Drugs, Drugs are bad, so let the professional druggies do Drugs for you. 537whp/496lb/tq@8-9PSI 93 octane

05-13-2018, 03:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
markesc Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Utah Posts: 379 Drives: 2014 370z M.B. 7AT Rep Power: 3366	Same thing occurred with mine. Take it back and make them clean the MAF.

05-13-2018, 07:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
Quicksilvers A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2017 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,039 Drives: 2017 370z Rep Power: 25462	Could also possibly be a fuel related issue. The Nissan Sentra I had experienced similar symptoms and turned out to be a faulty fuel pump that needed to be replaced. Faulty fuel injectors I would suspect as well.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
decreased power loss of power	simota1	Engine & Drivetrain	96	10-28-2019 07:10 PM
Intermittent Power Loss	atw257	Nissan 370Z Warranty / Scheduled Maintenance / Servicing / Repairs	11	01-23-2017 10:58 PM
Sudden power loss	Yutnaka	Engine & Drivetrain	72	05-28-2015 11:15 AM
possible loss of power?	smoothtransit	Engine & Drivetrain	12	01-28-2015 02:29 AM
Power loss	whoLEEoh	Intake/Exhaust	31	04-16-2012 08:44 PM