Car won't start sometimes

brucelidat · 02-08-2014, 03:03 PM

So my car sometimes won't start. The car sounds like it's about to start but the RPMs don't g up and it stops. It will usually start up again after several attempts. I took it to the dealer who, of course couldn't replicate the problem and they just changed the brake switch in case since they said they've seen that as a problem in other cars.
The problem is still persisting and I thought maybe the battery was getting drained from the short drives I make not allowing the alternator to recharge it. I put the car into 'on' mode when I have this problem and the voltage is reading at about 12.2. Note this happens usually after the car has been driven and not in the morning after sitting overnight. So this just happened after I washed my car with the voltage reading 12.2 while having starting problems. It managed to start after about 5 attempts and I moved it form my driveway into the garage. After turning engine off, I put the car into 'on' mode to check the voltage and now it's over 13.
My car was on for 30 seconds to move it so I don't see how that would charge the battery from 12.2 up to 13+ if that s my issue since I had driven it longer (but still short, maybe 5 minutes) before the washing.
Any thought son what my problem is? Is it the battery?

Sorry for the long post.

kenchan · 02-08-2014, 03:23 PM

you need to do a load test to see the cca. your local parts store should have an ammeter.

i kinda suspect it's your brake switch though? considering the very few people had the clutch sw replaced or cleaned on the MT's.

brucelidat · 02-08-2014, 03:24 PM

They already replaced the brake switch though.

brucelidat · 02-08-2014, 03:46 PM

I'll have the battery checked out, though the dealer was supposed to have done that a few weeks ago. Any suggestions on specs or brands I should look at for a new battery that I can pick up at a local store like O'reiley's or Autozone? Wa sjust planning to look for whatever had the highest CCA and reserve that's not too expensive.

Is this one any good?

Super Start® Extreme 35EXTJ - Battery | O'Reilly Auto Parts

kenchan · 02-08-2014, 04:11 PM

oh, they did change the brake sw. kinda got buried in your post i guess.

yah, 620cca should be plenty for temple city weather.

id just get something like duralast or those typical brand ones, nothing special.

i had yellow top on my older hobby cars and it didnt last very long.

in contrast, im still on factory battery on my 04 G.

02-08-2014, 03:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
brucelidat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: temple city, ca Posts: 2,432 Drives: 2011 370z 7AT GM Sp Rep Power: 30	Car won't start sometimes So my car sometimes won't start. The car sounds like it's about to start but the RPMs don't g up and it stops. It will usually start up again after several attempts. I took it to the dealer who, of course couldn't replicate the problem and they just changed the brake switch in case since they said they've seen that as a problem in other cars. The problem is still persisting and I thought maybe the battery was getting drained from the short drives I make not allowing the alternator to recharge it. I put the car into 'on' mode when I have this problem and the voltage is reading at about 12.2. Note this happens usually after the car has been driven and not in the morning after sitting overnight. So this just happened after I washed my car with the voltage reading 12.2 while having starting problems. It managed to start after about 5 attempts and I moved it form my driveway into the garage. After turning engine off, I put the car into 'on' mode to check the voltage and now it's over 13. My car was on for 30 seconds to move it so I don't see how that would charge the battery from 12.2 up to 13+ if that s my issue since I had driven it longer (but still short, maybe 5 minutes) before the washing. Any thought son what my problem is? Is it the battery? Sorry for the long post. __________________ Works Emotion CR Ultimate - FI CBE w/ 18" resonators - Ecutek - eibach sways - Quaife - FI LTH w/race cats - kw v3 - spl - Topgunz SC - 488whp 398trq

02-08-2014, 03:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
brucelidat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: temple city, ca Posts: 2,432 Drives: 2011 370z 7AT GM Sp Rep Power: 30	They already replaced the brake switch though. __________________ Works Emotion CR Ultimate - FI CBE w/ 18" resonators - Ecutek - eibach sways - Quaife - FI LTH w/race cats - kw v3 - spl - Topgunz SC - 488whp 398trq

02-08-2014, 03:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
brucelidat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: temple city, ca Posts: 2,432 Drives: 2011 370z 7AT GM Sp Rep Power: 30	I'll have the battery checked out, though the dealer was supposed to have done that a few weeks ago. Any suggestions on specs or brands I should look at for a new battery that I can pick up at a local store like O'reiley's or Autozone? Wa sjust planning to look for whatever had the highest CCA and reserve that's not too expensive. Is this one any good? Super Start® Extreme 35EXTJ - Battery \| O'Reilly Auto Parts __________________ Works Emotion CR Ultimate - FI CBE w/ 18" resonators - Ecutek - eibach sways - Quaife - FI LTH w/race cats - kw v3 - spl - Topgunz SC - 488whp 398trq

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02-08-2014, 03:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	you need to do a load test to see the cca. your local parts store should have an ammeter. i kinda suspect it's your brake switch though? considering the very few people had the clutch sw replaced or cleaned on the MT's.

02-08-2014, 04:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	oh, they did change the brake sw. kinda got buried in your post i guess. yah, 620cca should be plenty for temple city weather. id just get something like duralast or those typical brand ones, nothing special. i had yellow top on my older hobby cars and it didnt last very long. in contrast, im still on factory battery on my 04 G.