Howdy!

I've got a 2004 350ZR. I am having the following problem -- which is increasing in frequency. Occasionally when I shut off the car, the electrical system goes completely dead. No lights, no radio nothing. The car will not start for a minute or so, despite repeated attempts. After a minute or so, the car starts right back up as if nothing was wrong. However, all "settings" -- like trip odometer -- are reset. Obviously a complete power system failure.

I was beginning to think this was a warm problem, but today -- for the first time -- it happened after starting the car once and shutting it back down, because the roff lid wouldn't open.

The convertible roof seems to be a forebearer of this bad news. If the roof works, I'll be fine. If the roof storage lid won't raise and the car all but dies when trying, the problem will likely occur.

There is nothing wrong with the roof. It was just repaired and the other problem predated it. The roof works fine when the electrical system is working.

It's not the alternator. That was bad and has since been replaced and the problem is still happening.

Also, dashboard LCD backlight tends to flicker -- sometimes at any RPM.

This is some sort of systemic electrical failure.

Has anyone had this sort of problem? Any thoughts out there?

Thanks,
Bob

 

take it to the dealer to get it inspected.

 

I'm 95% sure it's the battery connections.

The high current in a battery can cause the thing to explode and even melt a wrench starting the engine bay on fire. DO NOT ALLOW THE WRENCH TO TOUCH THE POSITIVE TERMINAL IF THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL IS STILL CONNECTED. Follow the order of the removal below. DO NOT ALLOW THE WRENCH TO CROSS BETWEEN THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINALS.

Check your battery connections - take them loose (black negative first then red positive) and do a clean and inspect on them. They make special male and female brushes to do the connections and posts but you can also do the same with a wire brush. Don't polish them to a high gleam just rough them up a bit. Put them back on positive first, then negative.

I'll put 2% on the ground connections but since there is more than one of them and you're losing both accessory and starting power it's not likely. Check the ground wires to see that they're not broken or corroded where they connect into the frame and starter motor.

 

maybe the alternator or a loose connection somewhere though its pretty new there really shouldnt be any loose connection.