2003 Nissan 350z cranks but won't start only sometimes
 

Hello,

First off I have an 03 nissan 350z 6 spd. I bought the car in california with 49k and its sittin at 54k right now. My problem is that about every other time...sometimes more often sometimes less often....The car cranks really well..starter sounds good but it doesn't turn over. It could crank for hours If i held the key in the same position.

So I take the key out and unlock and lock the doors a few times and switch gears or put it in netrueal and somteimes that lets it start. Now I'm not sure that there is a connection but it seems to help it start. Also Another thing I do is hold the steerring wheel all the way left or right and since the power steering isn't working i just turn it till its firm. and then start it and it works. I know that sounds weird and there might be no connection but idk.

I'm not sure if My starter is going out or what. I was wondering if any one had any ideas about what is going on? I was thinking that there might be some kind of recall or common problem on 03 Z's or soemthing. Thanks a lot and this is my first post so don't shoot me down lol. This isn't my first z ive had a few 300zx's and one twin turbo. Any help would be wonderful. I bought the car for 14,449 with the 20" volks from a dealership in cali.:D . Other than that it runs like a dream. Only other mods are a diamond d6 sub custom box 500.1 rms amp all new speakers and alpine deck. Oh and I had the tranny and clutch replaced but it was doing that before the I had it replaced.

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You have any lights on on the dash? I know there was a TSB on the cam sensors, def. something to have checked. Also check the crank sensor. make sure they are all in tight.

There are no lights on in the dash. Nothing. When it does start it runs beautifully. Not really sure whats going on. The lower rpms lag a little compared to my bro's 04 z but he has intake exhaust and spacer...plus stock wheels. I don't know where all of those sensors are so I will look around online. If you can shoot me a link or pic or anything that would be awesome ZU L8R

Try making sure that the cables on your battery are tight. I had an issue when a new battery was installed. Worked fine until we had some colder weather. Apparently the cable came loose and would work some of the times. Once I figured out it was the cables, no problems. Hope that helps.

It's not just you. This problem just crept up on our FX35. Same exact issue too. Just cranks and cranks.

https://my350z.com/forum/other-vehicles/361796-starting-problem-with-fx35-cranks-won-t-start.html

With one visit to the FX forums, it seems unusually common on those cars based on the amount of threads about it. I had wondered if it could possibly affect Zs...looks like I have my answer. None of the FX guys have been able to resolve the issue despite numerous visits to the dealership.

well here's what you do 1st of all.

Have someone crank the car and check if the car has spark. that would require you to remove a coil. If spark is ok when cranking but still not starting it is possible that the car may not be getting fuel. The fuel pump may not work at times. When the car does not crank see if you can rubber mallet or kick underneath on the fuel tank, or remove the covering in the glove box behind the pass. seat and with your hand bang the top of the fuel pump. If the car starts up after or during cranking then its poss. fuel pump. I recommend to crank while banging the pump. But The cam/crank sensor's might be faulty as well. Usually with that you would have some type of CEL and code. I'd have had a g35 customer use an un chipped key b4 to start the vehicle, and at times would not start. I see that you try the lock/unlock trick, but it may be poss that your key has become out of wack and may need to be reprogrammed for the anti theft module to be recognized. Simple things to check though are if the car gets no fuel or no spark. That would narrow down what to look for after the fact.

i think its the NATS system. I always switch keys or simply turn the key over and try again. Starts right up. I dont know if its the chip, the reciever, or just some signal interfearance.

I only have one key for it. But i do notice that sometimes when i turn the key over it fires right up. I wonder if there is a way to fix it. Maybe I'll get another key made and see if that fixes it.

hmmm. . .it is possible that the ignition cylinder may be a tad worn out,or the flipping just renews the wirless connection with the key so that flipping it doesn't really do nothing. If it happens again don't flip the key pull it out and put it in then try it and see if it works with out the flip!

reply
 

I took it to nissan and I guess the dealership in california that I bought it from installed an aftermarket anti-theft system. THey spliced into the wiring harness to install it. Basically it is throwing the NATS code everytime I try and start it because the wiring is shorted out or soething. But it is in nissan and they said that they might have to replace the whole wiring harness because its hard to fix that problem tracing all the wires to the right leads and stuff. They tapped into about 10 wires and it looks semi jimmi rigged. I really don't wana rplace the whole thing. The part alone is 1300 dollars : (

Is there a way I can tell if it's the key issue? I read earlier about locking and unlocking the car once the starting issue happens. Two nights ago, I tried to start my car, it cranked over 7 times, and it didn't start. So I was in the car, hit lock, then unlock, poped the key in the ignition and the car started right up. I'm taking my car to my mechanic Monday and any help would be greatly appreciated!

Had this same issue. 100+ weather, and the all of a sudden 50-60 degrees. My car had trouble starting. I pop the hood and the negative cable slightly moved, then the car started fine.
I suggest cleaning your battery terminal connectors, and make sure they're tight. A little water and baking soda helps.
or you could buy new connectors, if they look too corroded.

*I've heard that if you place a penny near the terminals is absorbs all the corrosion. not sure if its true.

Figured it out.
 

The NATS system works like this: NATS ignition key>> NATS antenna amp>>BCM>>ECM. If the NATS antenna doesn't pick up a signal from the ignition key, it won't allow the car to start.

Sometimes it takes a few seconds to pick up the signal. This happened to me the day after I bought my Z. Try this: put the key in the ignition, turn to ACC, and wait a few seconds (about until the radio turns on). Then turn the key.

I tried this with both my keys, first waiting before I turned it, and then not waiting. When I waited, it started, when I didn't, it didn't start. I'm sure if turning it to ACC matters or not.

03 - 05 recall on camshaft crankshaft sensors
 

Symptoms
Hesitating to Start
Stalling when warm
Not Starting
Most VINS are covered, take it to NISSAN

I have the exact same problem on my Z. Thanks for all the tips.

Car not starting but when i turn the key it wants to but not firing
 

I was idling at 750 then the car just dropped a 100 rpms and started bogging, like it was about to choke its self out, i thought i was bad gas bc i just put a fresh tank of 93 in a few hours earlier but idk im puzzled on what to do

Im experiencing this as well, any way to check if it is covered?

I am having the same issue as well, I took my car to the dealer 2 weeks back they found a NATS Malfunction code, but couldn't do anything about it because they were unable to recreate the problem, I do currently have a new key but that didn't do the trick, Last night i noticed after cranking it 5 times and no luck that the alarm light on the dash was solid red every time I inserted my key and the car will only start when that light doesn't go on, at this point I want the NAT system out as a whole, this happening far too frequent and in the worst places. Once at a Gas Station, an Autocross Event, On my to work today, on my way home yesterday, on dates ... my frustration level is going through the rough at this rate

So I am Having the Issue when My (06 Nissan 350Z Touring) Cranks 1 maybe 2 but then acts as if the car battery is dead! My friend has helped me try & jump start it but it but nothing works, next I see the battery is fine healthy, I try & push start it nothing again so im guessing it has something to do with my ignition or my start but I recently changed out my starter so not sure if that can be it anyone have an Idea what can it be???? please help a fellow Z33 owner!

something is wrong with your NATS for sure, what i have no idea

yours sounds like camshaft position sensors