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My Z died while I was driving and now won't turn on.

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Old Nov 27, 2010 | 05:56 PM
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Unhappy My Z died while I was driving and now won't turn on.

I'm not that car savvy... but I'm great with computers so I've been trying to research this issue... I haven't found anything yet though.

Here's what happened:
I was driving down a street, and all of a sudden, all the warning lights turned on on my cluster.
It came to a stop and lost complete power, I could barely turn the wheel and the brakes were tight.
Luckily, my friend was following me in his car and he helped me push my Z to a parking lot.
It will not power on, it doesn't even make a clicking sound or anything.

We tried jump starting it, but it didn't do anything. The battery seems to be good, it was replaced about 7 months ago. My headlights turn on just fine, the music, and all the lights turn on... and all the warning lights stay on when I have the key forward.
When I turn the key, it doesn't even sound like it's trying to turn over.

Any ideas?

I had the dealership replace the Throttle Body Sensor earlier this year because it was giving me problems.

It's a 2006 Z and is our of warranty. :-/ I'm pretty much SOL unless I can find some info online... otherwise I'll have to pay up the **** at the dealership. They charged me about $1500 to troubleshoot and replace the TBS.

Thanks to anyone who can help.
...I've been having to walk to work these past two days, and school starts on monday.
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Old Nov 27, 2010 | 06:00 PM
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Btw, someone mentioned the timing belt, and the distributor... any ideas?
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Old Nov 27, 2010 | 06:06 PM
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you have a timing chain(not belt)...so if it has broken/snapped you have a huge problem. No traditional distributor either...they a domestic owner?

security system failure should let the motor turn over but not fire up
clutch pos sensor will not allow you to start if its dead (you have 6mt?)
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Old Nov 27, 2010 | 08:02 PM
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5at
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Old Nov 27, 2010 | 08:45 PM
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Have you plugged in a code reader to see if it has anything to offer?

Crank angle sensor?

Cam sensor?

Anything?
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 03:41 AM
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I haven't. We have a mechanic coming tomorrow with a code reader.
I don't even know what a crank angle sensor or cam sensor is, but I'll be sure to mention them to him tomorrow.
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 05:08 AM
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I hope this help, I have a turbo hatch before I got my Z, and I was driving to the lake and that happen to me on my hatch. I thought it was the battery and the ign. switch I didnt even have power to check the computer. (Hondas has that plug where you can count the check engine light) . With all that being said, it was my starter. It had grounded its self to the coil. It drove me nuts It seemed like it was everything. In the end it was my starter. Hope that helps. Just an idea of something to look at. BTW, it was a 5 speed and we couldnt even push it off when it first happen. Thats what made it weird when we finally replaced the starter.....Good luck on finding out what is wrong, hope its something simple!
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 06:29 AM
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all I can chalk it up to is that girl smiling at you was bad luck... She put an evil spell on you. First it was the red pimple of death and now your car won't start. I feel for ya bud.
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 07:42 AM
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Originally Posted by midtx350z
The battery seems to be good, it was replaced about 7 months ago.
Classic signs of a loose/corroded battery cable. Lights, radio, etc. work but no crank.

The first thing you should do is make sure that your battery terminals and cable clamps are clean and tight. Go to the parts store and get a battery terminal brush. Pull the cables, clean the terminals, clean the inside of the clamps, reconnect the cables. This can be done in a parking lot. Take a 10mm wrench. Don't touch the wrench to ANY part of the car when loosening/tightening the positive clamp.

What kind of battery did you replace with? The budget batteries tend to spew electrolyte and corrode terminals in a hurry. Look for any white or white/bluish crud on/near the terminals. This should be cleaned/neutralized with a baking soda/water solution.

Last edited by Patrick250; Nov 28, 2010 at 07:48 AM. Reason: added a word of caution
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 08:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Patrick250
Classic signs of a loose/corroded battery cable. Lights, radio, etc. work but no crank.

The first thing you should do is make sure that your battery terminals and cable clamps are clean and tight. Go to the parts store and get a battery terminal brush. Pull the cables, clean the terminals, clean the inside of the clamps, reconnect the cables. This can be done in a parking lot. Take a 10mm wrench. Don't touch the wrench to ANY part of the car when loosening/tightening the positive clamp.

What kind of battery did you replace with? The budget batteries tend to spew electrolyte and corrode terminals in a hurry. Look for any white or white/bluish crud on/near the terminals. This should be cleaned/neutralized with a baking soda/water solution.
That's a lot. I'll try this.. I can't take the car anywhere since it doesn't start and I don't have it sitting on a trailer. I'll buy the brush and do it at home.
It was a budget battery. :-/
Baking soda/Water solution... check.
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 08:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Sickboy101
all I can chalk it up to is that girl smiling at you was bad luck... She put an evil spell on you. First it was the red pimple of death and now your car won't start. I feel for ya bud.
Haha, that and my wisdom tooth is killing me right now. It popped out like 2 days ago. Gotta get it removed this coming week. Fml.


Originally Posted by 2fastnc
I hope this help, I have a turbo hatch before I got my Z, and I was driving to the lake and that happen to me on my hatch. I thought it was the battery and the ign. switch I didnt even have power to check the computer. (Hondas has that plug where you can count the check engine light) . With all that being said, it was my starter. It had grounded its self to the coil. It drove me nuts It seemed like it was everything. In the end it was my starter. Hope that helps. Just an idea of something to look at. BTW, it was a 5 speed and we couldnt even push it off when it first happen. Thats what made it weird when we finally replaced the starter.....Good luck on finding out what is wrong, hope its something simple!
Thanks good info.
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 08:25 AM
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So the started grounding itself can cause the car to die while being driven and then not start at all? Not even make the clicking sound?
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 01:35 PM
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I completely cleaned the battery terminals but still no luck.
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 01:59 PM
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SBQl4UIJvo
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 02:18 PM
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battery voltage looks a bit low....
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 02:25 PM
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i would just make sure your fuses are all in order, and not broken. I had what looks like the same issue, but all it was , was that my key got unprogrammed.
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 02:49 PM
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I went through ever fuse in the driver compartment and in the engine compartment. None of them are broken.

I tried testing the key by turning to on for 10 secs, to LOCK for 5 seconds and repeating. It didn't work.
Is there something else you tried regarding an unprogrammed key? I have two keys and I tried both.
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Cux350z
battery voltage looks a bit low....
I was told it should be between 12-14v? I havent yet, but should I use a volt meter to measure the battery itself?
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 02:59 PM
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i see it's not even cranking. you might have an issue with the starter
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 03:09 PM
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I tried jump starting it with another vehicle. The battery voltage jumped to 14v but still no luck and no crank.
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