Car didnt start!!

ddvette9 · 03-06-2012, 06:51 PM

Here goes.

New battery....YES
New MAFs....YES

1/15 times the car fires up, sputters down a few times, catches itself, then starts. Today when it dropped down and sputtered it never caught and didnt start

Been to the dealership twice. Checked fuel pump, IAF, they replaced my MAFs, got a new battery a few months ago. They CANNOT find the problem or fix it. I even cleaned my throttle boddies from carbon buildup when they are at the 0 position

I have complained of leaky injectors, fuel pump, fuel filter, anything and everything you guys can initially think of.

Now im thinking crank position sensor/ crankshaft

Nissan says since they cant replicate my intermittent troublesome starts and they will document with corporate and pray for me. Two different master techs have run Consult III and tried to sputter on starts and get the cranking to fail, but of course it fired up fine when there.

BTW, HAVE K&N AND TOP SPEED EXHAUST AND Y-PIPE.....is this possibly an ECU problem that could be fixed with a change of my exhaust and breathing. Maybe I need to change my gas (been using shell??). I dont remember the car doing this when I originally put my mods in over a year ago

Let me know what you guys think, as I feel that a mechanical failure or something "bad" would cause problems more often instead of once a week at the most, leading me to believe sometimes the ECU acts funny

ddvette9 · 03-06-2012, 06:58 PM

BTW ATTN MODERATOR.

This is the third time I have posted along this topic and I have always done so in Engine/Drivetrain but the thread dies because that section doesnt get as many views as "general discussion"

I have been to the dealership 2 times recently, and posted on here....I cannot keep doing this so please leave my thread in general discussion so I can get as many views and comments as possible for a least a few days.

I am to the point where I am contemplating trading the vehicle in anticipation of something bad happening later down the road because of my problem and I am a student so waiting and getting screwed is not an option.

I appreciate your understanding

shaun66 · 03-06-2012, 08:18 PM

Dang that blows mine did something similar a few months back for a few days, then it just stopped after I filled up. So bad gas maybe

anthonyy · 03-06-2012, 09:23 PM

Wow, that really sucks man, I'm sorry...
From way outfield, but could it be the steering wheel lock? I'm sure you know but there have been so many issues with the steering wheel lock in the earlier 370's

Cyberium · 03-07-2012, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthonyy

Wow, that really sucks man, I'm sorry...
From way outfield, but could it be the steering wheel lock? I'm sure you know but there have been so many issues with the steering wheel lock in the earlier 370's

Nah, it wouldn't be the steering lock issue others are having. If it was, it wouldn't start at all for anyone. By the sounds of it, it sounds like a fuel issue. Either the fuel pump has crapped out and isn't providing enough fuel to the engine or you have some water mixed in with fuel and it screwed some things up. It sounds like you tried mostly everything... but if it was me I would drain all the fuel out of the tank... get brand new fuel from a good gas station and run some engine flush and see if that helps.

ddvette9 · 03-07-2012, 12:46 PM

Just can't explain the complete randomness of the sketchy starts and the random non startup. Something mechanically "bad" should fail more than a few times out of 50.

That's why im wondering if it could be something as simple as air filters, exhaust, ECU reads or shell gas

Red__Zed · 03-07-2012, 01:34 PM

Bummer

Streetlife · 03-07-2012, 01:49 PM

Sounds like steering wheel lock.

cheshirecat · 03-07-2012, 01:59 PM

Steering wheel lock doesn't give sputtering startup. It gives no startup at all, since the immobilizer kills everything before it even gets there.

IMO, it has something to do with the MAF sensors. The sputtering would be more of an issue of the ECU not being able to read the incoming air well. Exhaust sensors would trigger a CEL, so that probably isn't it.

Check for proper seating of the MAF sensors. I'd also suggest picking up some MAF cleaner from discount auto or whatever to spray them down. It could even be something stupid like excess oil on the maf sensors from the K&N filters.

Anyway, that's my hunch.

The crank position sensor would exhibit this kind of behavior also, but it tends to get worse and worse rather than being completely intermittent.

Jordo! · 03-07-2012, 05:00 PM

Check the various PCV valves on the car. There's a breather off of the driver side intake and one or two near the IM. They could be clogged, cracked, or disconnected.

Only other thing that comes to mind is crank position sensor, but it's odd that you wouldn't get random misfire or crank codes if that's the case.

Other possibilities include bad connectors on MAF sensors (i.e., sensors are fine, but the wires and plug could be bad) or cats may have inner elements clogged up -- unlikely, but that's all I can think of.

Good luck.

ddvette9 · 03-07-2012, 05:26 PM

On my second trip to the stealership they said I was running very rich so they replaced my MAF already with brand new ones a month ago so hmmm, can't be bad MAF since I just got brand new ones

elmz · 03-07-2012, 05:50 PM

If all else fails, try a process of elimination, and take out your mods one at a time. Just my 2 cents.

hansoac · 03-08-2012, 06:43 AM

Is it anything similar to this thread, and the thread referenced in the thread?

370z rough start on occasion

ddvette9 · 03-08-2012, 08:54 AM

^^^great find. Possible crankshaft sensor or leaky injector I guess

Good friend reccomended turning to the "on" position to let the fuel pump run for 5 sec before turning on

But my prob isn't quite like the sound from the vids in the other thread

hansoac · 03-08-2012, 09:21 AM

This may sound dumb but could help in troubleshooting. I notice that mine ONLY does it when it is quite hot outside. Being winter, the days here are in the 40s and 50s with no snow...so I drive it. I dont have a SINGLE problem at these temperatures. As soon as it gets hot (75-90 degrees), I notice it cranks hard after sitting for awhile. If you have the capability, it may be worth getting your garage to a very cold temp and seeing if you still have start problems after it sets. I see you are in Florida so it is probably warm most of the time.

03-06-2012, 06:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
ddvette9 Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 823 Drives: 2013 Scion FRS Rep Power: 16	Car didnt start!! Here goes. New battery....YES New MAFs....YES 1/15 times the car fires up, sputters down a few times, catches itself, then starts. Today when it dropped down and sputtered it never caught and didnt start Been to the dealership twice. Checked fuel pump, IAF, they replaced my MAFs, got a new battery a few months ago. They CANNOT find the problem or fix it. I even cleaned my throttle boddies from carbon buildup when they are at the 0 position I have complained of leaky injectors, fuel pump, fuel filter, anything and everything you guys can initially think of. Now im thinking crank position sensor/ crankshaft Nissan says since they cant replicate my intermittent troublesome starts and they will document with corporate and pray for me. Two different master techs have run Consult III and tried to sputter on starts and get the cranking to fail, but of course it fired up fine when there. BTW, HAVE K&N AND TOP SPEED EXHAUST AND Y-PIPE.....is this possibly an ECU problem that could be fixed with a change of my exhaust and breathing. Maybe I need to change my gas (been using shell??). I dont remember the car doing this when I originally put my mods in over a year ago Let me know what you guys think, as I feel that a mechanical failure or something "bad" would cause problems more often instead of once a week at the most, leading me to believe sometimes the ECU acts funny Last edited by ddvette9; 03-06-2012 at 07:04 PM.

03-07-2012, 01:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
Streetlife Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 466 Drives: 2012 370z Mont/sport Rep Power: 15	Sounds like steering wheel lock. __________________ Tanabe Medalion Exhaust + Tanabe Y-Pipe, Baker Tuning, K&N Drop-Ins, Z1 Post MAF Tubes, GT-R Button, Nismo Magnetic Oil Drain Plug, CeramiKool Tint 35%, Solar Gard Clearshield Clearbra

03-07-2012, 05:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 417	Check the various PCV valves on the car. There's a breather off of the driver side intake and one or two near the IM. They could be clogged, cracked, or disconnected. Only other thing that comes to mind is crank position sensor, but it's odd that you wouldn't get random misfire or crank codes if that's the case. Other possibilities include bad connectors on MAF sensors (i.e., sensors are fine, but the wires and plug could be bad) or cats may have inner elements clogged up -- unlikely, but that's all I can think of. Good luck. __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

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03-06-2012, 06:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
ddvette9 Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 823 Drives: 2013 Scion FRS Rep Power: 16	BTW ATTN MODERATOR. This is the third time I have posted along this topic and I have always done so in Engine/Drivetrain but the thread dies because that section doesnt get as many views as "general discussion" I have been to the dealership 2 times recently, and posted on here....I cannot keep doing this so please leave my thread in general discussion so I can get as many views and comments as possible for a least a few days. I am to the point where I am contemplating trading the vehicle in anticipation of something bad happening later down the road because of my problem and I am a student so waiting and getting screwed is not an option. I appreciate your understanding

03-06-2012, 08:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
shaun66 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: n Posts: 837 Drives: MB 370z 7AT Rep Power: 16	Dang that blows mine did something similar a few months back for a few days, then it just stopped after I filled up. So bad gas maybe

03-06-2012, 09:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
anthonyy A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Gatos, CA Posts: 1,027 Drives: Lexus CT Rep Power: 16	Wow, that really sucks man, I'm sorry... From way outfield, but could it be the steering wheel lock? I'm sure you know but there have been so many issues with the steering wheel lock in the earlier 370's

03-07-2012, 12:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
ddvette9 Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 823 Drives: 2013 Scion FRS Rep Power: 16	Just can't explain the complete randomness of the sketchy starts and the random non startup. Something mechanically "bad" should fail more than a few times out of 50. That's why im wondering if it could be something as simple as air filters, exhaust, ECU reads or shell gas

03-07-2012, 01:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 119	Bummer

03-07-2012, 01:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
cheshirecat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,428 Drives: N54 135i Rep Power: 292	Steering wheel lock doesn't give sputtering startup. It gives no startup at all, since the immobilizer kills everything before it even gets there. IMO, it has something to do with the MAF sensors. The sputtering would be more of an issue of the ECU not being able to read the incoming air well. Exhaust sensors would trigger a CEL, so that probably isn't it. Check for proper seating of the MAF sensors. I'd also suggest picking up some MAF cleaner from discount auto or whatever to spray them down. It could even be something stupid like excess oil on the maf sensors from the K&N filters. Anyway, that's my hunch. The crank position sensor would exhibit this kind of behavior also, but it tends to get worse and worse rather than being completely intermittent.

03-07-2012, 05:26 PM	#11 (permalink)
ddvette9 Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 823 Drives: 2013 Scion FRS Rep Power: 16	On my second trip to the stealership they said I was running very rich so they replaced my MAF already with brand new ones a month ago so hmmm, can't be bad MAF since I just got brand new ones

03-07-2012, 05:50 PM	#12 (permalink)
elmz Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 674 Drives: 2014 Porsche Boxster Rep Power: 17	If all else fails, try a process of elimination, and take out your mods one at a time. Just my 2 cents.

03-08-2012, 06:43 AM	#13 (permalink)
hansoac Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Toledo Posts: 497 Drives: 09 370z Sport CY Rep Power: 14	Is it anything similar to this thread, and the thread referenced in the thread? 370z rough start on occasion

03-08-2012, 08:54 AM	#14 (permalink)
ddvette9 Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 823 Drives: 2013 Scion FRS Rep Power: 16	^^^great find. Possible crankshaft sensor or leaky injector I guess Good friend reccomended turning to the "on" position to let the fuel pump run for 5 sec before turning on But my prob isn't quite like the sound from the vids in the other thread

03-08-2012, 09:21 AM	#15 (permalink)
hansoac Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Toledo Posts: 497 Drives: 09 370z Sport CY Rep Power: 14	This may sound dumb but could help in troubleshooting. I notice that mine ONLY does it when it is quite hot outside. Being winter, the days here are in the 40s and 50s with no snow...so I drive it. I dont have a SINGLE problem at these temperatures. As soon as it gets hot (75-90 degrees), I notice it cranks hard after sitting for awhile. If you have the capability, it may be worth getting your garage to a very cold temp and seeing if you still have start problems after it sets. I see you are in Florida so it is probably warm most of the time.