Working on an '04 350z auto for a friend. Car was running and driving fine, they were driving it in manual mode briefly and the car died. It will now not crank over. Everything else electrical works. (lights, wipers, etc). Turned over motor with breaker bar, it's fine. Battery is good. Bypassed ignition by connecting a starter button to the starter signal wire and positive battery terminal. I get a small clink sound but nothing happens (I started this car that way in the passed when I had different issue). My thoughts are this: starter went bad, or possible problem with connection of positive battery cable to starter. Or neutral safety switch? Thoughts appreciated.

 

5859Cad, I'm more of a person that works on my own vehicle.
I'd say that it could be the neutral safety switch. Also check the transmission linkage since it was driven in M mode. It might not be in P.

 

Thanks! I'll check that out

 

I cannot find a neutral safety switch for an automatic, there's no listing for the part. The dealer was no help, he couldn't find one either, only ones shown are for a manual. Has anyone here ever replaced that switch? All automatics have them so it must have one or something that does that function.

 

Answering my own question, the neutral safety switch is located inside the valve body. I connected a test light to the starter signal wire, does not light, so no power coming to starter. Thoughts?

 

Shifter isn't in Park or park position switch in shifter is bad. Or it could be a NATS issue.

 

I changed the positive battery post and fusible link. I got power to starter, but still no crank. I replaced the starter and it fired right up. So, car was driving along, died, and starter died magically at the same time. Super weird....