Hello, I just recently bought a project 350z thats been sitting for a long time and as the battery that was in it was dead I was using a battery I have laying around and a pair of small jumper cables to allow me to roll down the windows, open the gas tank, etc. While hooked up the cables came together for about 45 seconds before I caught it after someone walking through my garage bumped them. I know, I feel like an idiot trust me. After rehooking it up everything seems ok until you turn the headlights on for a split second and then the entire car loses power. Nothing works. If you take the cables off and reattach them everything seems to work again until you turn the headlights on and then the same thing happens. Not sure what damages the reverse polarity caused. The fusible links appear to be fine. Weirdly it didnt spark when this happened it just got fairly hot but not hot enough to melt anything or smoke. I got in the car and the radio, dome lights, windows locks etc all worked until I turned on the headlights like I said..

I havent tried to start the car yet as Im in the process of removing old fuel and pulling the plugs to lube the cylinders but I know I have at least a minor electrical problem.

Im really hoping I didnt ruin anything as I just got the thing and am very much looking forward getting it going. Its a 2006 BTW. I just am not familiar enough yet with these cars to figure this out. Thanks for any feedback.

 

If I understand your story correctly you have a dead battery still in the Z and hooked it with jumpers to a random battery outside the car. The cables shorted but no sparks. Sounds like neither battery has enough charge to be useful and you got super lucky.
Get your battery load tested for free at any parts store and replace it if necessary. Then see what works with a proper battery.

 

Thanks for the reply.. I should have worded that differently -- I took the old battery out, I had a good battery from a forklift that obviously wouldnt fit but I used it by connecting it to the cables with a set of small jumper cables to get the windows down and pop the trunk/gas cover etc as I was working on it. Stupid idea, I know. I was in a hurry and hadnt had a chance to pick up a battery yet. However after making that post I did go get a new battery, installed it and everything seems to be working again but I still havent turned it over etc so Im worried about the alternator, etc. I may have gotten lucky indeed. Ill check back if not and give more details.

Appreciate the time and if you dont mind can I ask if you would bother pulling the plugs after the car sits for a year and spraying in some fogging oil or do you think I could turn the engine over by hand a few times to lube the cylinders?

 

Pulling the plugs sounds like an excellent idea to add a small amount of oil to each cylinder and well worth 45 minutes. When I was young and broke I'd clean and regap them, but if you can afford new plugs it will pay for itself in your trouble-shooting time if it doesn't start. ONLY DO 1 PLUG AND COILPACK AT A TIME. Also be sure you have access to fresh air bc if it does start up it will smoke you out! gl.

 

Fresh fuel and NGK Irridiums should do the trick. Also, check and possibly change the oil/filter depending on how long the Z has been sitting. Unless there's signs of rust in the drivetrain or on the plugs, I wouldn't spray much into the cylinders.

 

if it has been sitting a while the entire engine is dry.. turning it over by hand a few times wont do jack.

remove the plugs. put some ATF and injector cleaner mixed 50/50 fluid in there. table spoon or two. ( this will prevent the ATF fouling the plugs and allow it to soak into the rings further, faster)
clean or replace the plugs while there.
Change the oil. oil will absorb water when left to the elements and degrade over time. you want fresh oil in it.


if it has been sitting a while flush the fuel out of the tank and put in fresh gas. you dont want old nasty fuel going through pump or injectors.

Remove the fuel pump fuse before you try and start the car.
and let the engine turn over for 10 seconds.. then wait.. then turn over again for 10 seconds.
repeat this 4-5 times. it will prime the oil sytem and get oil where it needs to be. with out the harshness of starting the car.
and it will circulate the ATF in the cylinders.

Check the coolant. make sure it is full in the radiator and the overflow tank.


replace the fuel pump fuse. and start the car.

it will most likely smoke some and smell weird as it burns everything off.

 

Thanks for the advice guys. Im putting it to good use. Gotten rid of the old fuel and changed the oil, coolant, etc.

I dont want to start more threads and Ive looked through what I can on this site but I have one rear tire on this car that is feathering to the extreme -- its basically wearing on the inner sidewall. I couldn't find any bent or bad parts in the suspension. Im guessing its toe alignment..? The other rear tire is wearing unevenly but normally for these cars as far as can figure. Im picking up the tab for all the maintenance the previous owner didnt bother with from 76K to 115K and its piling up, lol.

Any thoughts on the tire wear or maybe any other maintenance I should look into to? Appreciate the help!

 

As far as abnormal tire wear on a car you don't know, put it on an alignment rack and get an experienced tech to give you the numbers. It could be toe, or too much negative camber, but you won't really know until you get accurate measurements. You didn't mention mileage in your OP, but if this Z is at 115K and there's no service records, you've got some work to do! Look up the 100K major service and get everything done. Read my thread on the new NGK ruthenium plugs and consider using them, as they're both more durable and affordable than the originals.

Good luck!

 

once you get the engine to start. you can take it to an alignment shop.

 

I'm torn whether to bother changing the trans fluid (115k -- 5AT) or just keep it as its brown/light brown. I detect a slight burnt smell but I dont see any particulates in it. Wondering what you guys think..

 

You have 1 job right now- getting it to run. Focus on that. Everything else can wait for now. After your 1st lap around the block you can add to your to do list.

 

I know but Im waiting on parts and time to do the work. Sorry if I broke a rule. Im going through the entire car.

 

okay.. go through the entire car.

change all the fluids. filters. drop the tank. clean it. flush that.
change the trans fluid and filter.
change the oil pan gaskets. and new plugs. change the valve cover gaskets.
I suggest upgrading the speakers in the doors and back
then doing a grounding kit on the car.
install a pop charge and plenum spacer while you have the valve covers off.


Ohh... and after you do all that.. try and get the car to start.
and find out the engine is knocking.. .. :-(

 

Okay. Ive been cordial. I came here to get insight from the hive mind that owns these cars and might have a better understanding of their engineering flaws. Ive thanked people for their replies even though I didnt need that info or I didnt agree with it.

You guys are actually making me want to sell this car. Its been hot for almost all of September. I cant or couldnt deal with going into the sweatbox that is my garage for more than 5 minutes but the last couple days its been cooling down. Im in no rush to begin with and Im not worried about whatever the car needs -- it will get it. I dont care if the motor needs rebuilt or the trans is going -- thats why I asked.

 

It's OK, I honestly haven't seen any snarky comments, just a few folks trying to help without knowing your skill level or budget. The poster you refer to is simply suggesting to be thorough, good advice. Not knowing your skill level I suggested minimalist approach because it's easy to eff something up without proper training and tools. And then you've got a completely new problem that wasn't there before.
Hang in there and post up on your progress!

 

" Im going through the entire car.". ... i was helping you.
giving you a good list of things to go through.
But i would suggest you at least hear the engine run. and see if the trans shifts or grinds. or rear end makes noise
before dumping thousands into doing other things first.