Hey,

I noticed that I have to first press the trunk button once on the remote, and then a second time in order for it to actually let me open the trunk. The first time you press it it definetely does something -- you can see that it raises up and you hear it -- but it's still locked in place. So with the second press, it actually unlocks it and you can lift it up just fine.

Question is... is it supposed to be like that? Or am I doing something wrong? Or is something wrong with the car?? Thanks!!!

Oh... and does anyone have any suggestions for a way to tightly pack items in the storage box behind the passenger seat? I keep a tire pressure gauge, umbrella, and my owners manual in there and any hard cornering I do makes them shift around and makes a ton of noise. Just curious!

 

There is a TSB out to fix this. It should just pop and release with one press of the button.

NTB04042: 2003 350Z Coupe; Rear Hatch Will Not Open On First Push Of Release Button

 

You probably know this but if not...u gotta hold the button for a few seconds then it will pop.

 

Oh... my old Viper alarm on my Mustang was like that... I just figured that since it did 'something' with a single fast push that maybe that was enough. What's a "TSB" btw??

 

Stands for Technical Service Bulletin. Basically, they are tech articles that go to the Nissan Service Depts. explaining known issues with the car and how to fix them when a customer comes in.

Basically things that are known to be wrong with the car that shouldn't be. Nissan "should" fix these issues with no questions asked.

 

The TSB tells the tech to replace the springs on the hatch to "harder"(more pushy) ones.

 

Is this a warranty issue? Or will Nissan charge me $45 for a diagnosis??? Too bad I just picked up my car from having the GPS fixed... ARG! Haha... just if you could confirm that it's a warranty issue and they'll do it for free, that'd be great!

 

It should definately be covered under warranty.

It's funny you mention because I dropped my Z off today for and oil change and had them look at mine. It has started doing it since it has started to get chilly out up here.

They just called back and said that there is no way to adjust it. Instead they are ordering a whole new latch assembly. Hopefully that takes care of it, I've read that the fix was to replace the springs also.

Nothing big, just somewhat annoying.

 

Ok cool!! I've had enough this week with taking my car in to get serviced... I just wanna be able to drive it! Haha..

Long story short... but I bought the car used last Saturday... it had worned down (squeeky) pads, so I had to take it back to the dealership and they kept it overnight, then today they had my car all day to do the nav system fix... ugh haha, I just wanna enjoy my Z!!

 

I think is has to do with the "air-tight" nature of the vehicle. I noticed what you described, and thought it was someting defective with the rear hatch springs or latch at first, but then I thought about how the car is designed with those windows that go down automatically just a bit to break the car's airseal just enough to allow the doors to shut easily and completely without having to slam them. So when I tried opening one of the car doors before hitting the hatch release, the rear hatch ALWAYS opens completely the first time. I don't know if I would go as far as describing this as a defect, but probably just more of a phenomenon I can live with.

 

its not an airseal hehe; the car is not sealed. the windows go down so they clear the metal line above the windows; its a common function with cars that dont have a frame around the window. the hatch; it just doesnt push hard enough; its stuck in that like half closed stage just like a door gets; its closed; but not CLOSED. the first pop only gets it halfway; the second one lets it push a bit more.

Id didnt realize they had a TSB for it; gotta go make an appointment!

PS. its not a problem in the hot summer months when the hydrolics and spring apply more pressure; winter months it happens all the time.

 

Service Bulletin Num : 04042
Date of Bulletin: APR 07, 2004

Component: BODY
Summary: 2003 350Z COUPE; REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN ON FIRST PUSH OF RELEASE BUTTON

the fix is to replace the rear hatch lifting springs.

 

I was wondering if it was supposed to take 2 pushes. Time to call the dealership...

 

There is another fix that calls for dropping a pair of pennies inside the spring assemblies, thus pre-compressing the springs and providing more lift to the hatch on the button push. It's a $0.04 fix and it works like a champ!!!

 

.04$? .... I donno man. thats kinda pricey.

 

Cheap B@$t@rd!!!

 

well maybe if 1 penny per side would do the trick...

 

haha.. the $0.04 may SEEm like alot, but compaered to the cost of the time assocciated with actually going to a dealer, it isn't bad.

The penny solution works like a charm! I've been using it for months now. Do a search in the "Repairing" section. It was in there.

 

The .04 cent solution worked for me also. Thanks.

 

I posted that thread for the 4 penny solution but removed the pics since i needed pic space but it works.....here is my original thread
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=78922