370Z Not Cranking Problem

VADSG

It appears I have the same problem as Master Lv and several others. I got off the train tonight and my Z wouldn't start. Symptoms are: i) the system appears to recognize that the key is present because the depress clutch message appears; ii) when I depress clutch and press the start button i get a clicking sound from the engine bay but no cranking; iii) the intelligent key system warning light comes on; iv) the outside temp display switched from Fahrenheit to Centigrade; v) the horn doesn't sound when the doors are locked with the fob; and vi) there is no beeping when the button is pressed on door handle to lock the doors.

I have tried the same measure that others have tried including: i) using the backup fob; ii) inserting the backup fob in the fob holder; and iii) locking and unlocking the car using both fobs. The engine does not crank at all; only the clicking noise and not always that.

Guess I will have to have it towed to the dealer tomorrow morning.

If anyone has any new intelligence on this problem that might help I would be incredibly appreciative. My Z is a 2009 Touring 6mt with sport and nav. I bought it new in July 2009 and have approximately 9,000 miles. Except for today's major issue, I have not had any issues with the car.

Thanks,

VADSG

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VADSG

ChrisSlicks

Dead battery or bad battery contact (Infiniti has a TSB on this). If that isn't the case then PDM it is. The clicking noise indicates that the starter motor is attempting to crank but there isn't enough current getting to it.

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Master_Ly

Hey VADSG, I think ChrisSlicks might be right that it being a battery problem. You experienced much more than I did. It really kind of just sounds like your car had reset. Let us know how it turns out. The towing and your loaner should be on Nissan's dime. Please keep us posted and good luck.

VADSG

The dealer I took Z to for service, Fairfax Nissan, agreed with ChrisSlicks in part. Since they were open only a half day on Saturday, they did not have any time to check the car out. One of the service desk types said he tried to start it and then just hooked up a battery charger. They charged for a few hours and then left the car in the bay until this morning. They say it started up perfectly today. Supposedly, they checked to see if there was any drain on the battery while all systems were off, checked to see that it holds a charge and checked to see if any cell was bad. According to the dealer, the battery is fine and everything else is fine also.

Their theory is that I must have left something on last Friday morning that drained the battery so much there wasn't enough power to start or even crank the car ten hours later. Its pretty hard it seems to leave something on in the car-all lights power down automatically after a few minutes and the power outlet under the glove box doesn't work when ignition is off. Maybe I left the car in the ACC position. Would that cause such a major drain in battery?

Nissan Roadside assistance was great. The truck came quickly and exactly when they said it would. The only hitch was that Nissan said my Z purchased last July was not in their roadside assistance system. They said that selling dealer is supposed to contact them and put necessary data in the roadside assistance system to activate that benefit. Sound right to you all?

Fairfax Nissan, after I discussed the matter appropriately with them, finally gave me a loaner. They said they have one loaner per service desk type. It was a lovely, burgundy Sentra stripper. Fairfax Nissan said they do cover the cost of a rental for warranty service but it was too late on Saturday to get one.

Thanks for everyone's comments. I will monitor the battery charge for a while and make sure everthing is turned off properly. When I got Z home tonight the battery was reading 16 volts on my personal volt meter.

VADSG

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VADSG

ChrisSlicks

16V? Even when on and charging that seems a little excessive, typical is 14.5 to 15V. With the car shut off the fully charged voltage is 12.65V.

What does the in-car volt meter read?

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Hotchkis ARB | Stillen CAI | Art Pipes | Berk CBE | Stillen AP Racing Brakes | AE Performance Oil Cooler | BC Racing ER Coilovers | Doran Control Arms

VADSG

Well, I read the meter wrong. The in-car meter and the reading I take directly off the battery with a volt meter are approx 12.4 or 12.45.

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VADSG

ChrisSlicks

Ok good. So your battery is about 75% of capacity, which hopefully it will stay at. Unfortunately this means your battery life expectancy will be somewhat shortened.

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Hotchkis ARB | Stillen CAI | Art Pipes | Berk CBE | Stillen AP Racing Brakes | AE Performance Oil Cooler | BC Racing ER Coilovers | Doran Control Arms

VADSG

Thanks for the info.

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VADSG

Master_Ly

This is very odd! At least there wasn't anything majorly wrong. It is possible leaving your ACC on and that draining the battery since things remain on like your radio but here's another food for thought: the dealership I visited said that they have had sporadic number of cases of cars, not just Zs, that would have a "time bomb" battery put in. It's just luck of the draw like buying RAM for your PC and it be from a bad batch. It just happens. Considering the battery is under warranty, at least you can get that replaced if to say it does have an accelerated death. Definitely keep an eye on it and hopefully it never happens again! But I'm glad that you got your car back.

On the roadside assistance, I think every dealership handles this independently so it would have to be up to Fairfax Nissan to honor or address it. If you do get it free, definitely active that thing! To give an example of a difference, ours is John Lee Nissan and they offer or did offer a limited lifetime warranty, extending beyond the factory, with the purchase of a new car including the Z. So everyone knows, if you plan on doing any mods to the car, it's out the window. I read the fine prints. But in your case, it sounds like you they treated you fairly.