350z starting problems

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05-22-2018 | 07:28 AM

StraitZangsta

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From: North San Diego Area

350z starting problems

Hey everyone! My 2003 350z just stopped allowing me to start it randomly. However if I pop the clutch to start it after that it runs just fine. It’s not the battery as I have tried jumping it and the battery voltage seemed fine anyways(~12). Anyways, I do hear the fuel pump prime, it’s not the clutch switch because I tested it with the volt meter and it works fine. I also swapped the crankshaft position sensor with another one I had laying around which worked perfectly fine before, when I swapped it it started once just fine, but then it stopped working again when I tried to start it a second time. This leads me to believe it’s not the starter as it won’t even crank but after the sensor it did just fine the first time. That also eliminates any fuse problem. The car runs perfectly fine after I pop the clutch, but it seems to have a problem with starting. What should I do? I’m running out of hypothesis’s haha.

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05-22-2018 | 08:27 AM

jhc

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From: ZdayZ

Take it to AutoZone, the battery needs to be load-tested, not just voltage. Also have them test alternator and starter (all free).
You will most likely have your answer in minutes. gl

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05-22-2018 | 09:12 AM

FlashEvolution

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From: California

I had a similar issue in two separate scenarios. One was a bad battery, just because it shows 12v doesn't mean you have enough cranking power. Like JHC said, the battery should be load tested. Another scenario was the starter wire to the solenoid had corrosion and wouldn't always send signal, it acted like a dead battery. I wasn't able to crank, heard no clicks, but lights turned on and fuel pump primed just fine, was an intermittent issue so took a while to figure out.

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05-22-2018 | 02:52 PM

kauai1800

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From: Kauai

Aloha - you said you tested the clutch switch but is the little rubber 'button' that activates it there? Without it, the car won't start. That happened to me once...