Notices
Maintenance & Repair 350Z up keep and diagnosing/fixing problems

03' 350z Won't Start Sometimes?!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-30-2012, 03:03 PM
  #1  
MackinzeeBarnes
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
MackinzeeBarnes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Angry 03' 350z Won't Start Sometimes?!

Okay, I have a problem that NEEDS to be fixed.
Sometimes, (maybe once a month, 7 times a day, or 3 times a week), my car will NOT start. Not only is it embarrassing, it's irritating. Now done get me wrong, it starts in a few minutes, but this is starting to get to me. It is NOT the BATTERY. The engine CRANKS, but just will not ignite sometimes. I don't know what this could be, anymore. I have gone to autobodies all over, and they have no idea what it could be, and they say it's hard to test because it doesn't happen all the time. Anyone else have this problem, or better yet, a SOLUTION?! Thank you!
Old 12-30-2012, 03:07 PM
  #2  
herrschaft
Registered User
 
herrschaft's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: meth central
Posts: 662
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

When was the last time the throttle body was cleaned?
Old 12-30-2012, 03:15 PM
  #3  
MackinzeeBarnes
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
MackinzeeBarnes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thumbs up

Originally Posted by herrschaft
When was the last time the throttle body was cleaned?
Never, actually. Is that extensive? Is it something you can do, yourself? Thanks for the input!
Old 12-30-2012, 03:19 PM
  #4  
herrschaft
Registered User
 
herrschaft's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: meth central
Posts: 662
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

I'm sure there's a DIY either on here or Youtube, Its relatively easy. I would start with that.

EDIT:
Same engine: http://infinitihelp.com/diy/gsedan/p..._procedure.php

Last edited by herrschaft; 12-30-2012 at 03:31 PM.
Old 12-30-2012, 03:34 PM
  #5  
DavesZ#3
350Z-holic
iTrader: (26)
 
DavesZ#3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 15,887
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes on 17 Posts
Default

Besides the TB, when was MAF sensor last cleaned or replaced?

You didn't say how much mileage - what about plugs?

Is it hot or cold when it occurs? Rainy?
Old 12-30-2012, 03:51 PM
  #6  
RUNWDVL
Registered User
iTrader: (10)
 
RUNWDVL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Burnt on a mantle
Posts: 4,810
Received 236 Likes on 135 Posts
Default

Could also be cam sensor. Went through that before.
Old 12-30-2012, 04:29 PM
  #7  
MackinzeeBarnes
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
MackinzeeBarnes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by DavesZ#3
Besides the TB, when was MAF sensor last cleaned or replaced?

You didn't say how much mileage - what about plugs?

Is it hot or cold when it occurs? Rainy?
It has about 85,000 miles on it; it's an '03.
To be completely honest, I don't even know what a MAF sensor is. I'm just 18, so I'm not really knowledgeable with this kinda stuff. Hahaha.
But the temperature & weather doesn't really affect when this happens, either.
Old 12-30-2012, 04:29 PM
  #8  
MackinzeeBarnes
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
MackinzeeBarnes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by RUNWDVL
Could also be cam sensor. Went through that before.
I've heard that before, too. Wasn't there a recall of some sort on that?
Old 12-30-2012, 04:31 PM
  #9  
MackinzeeBarnes
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
MackinzeeBarnes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by herrschaft
I'm sure there's a DIY either on here or Youtube, Its relatively easy. I would start with that.

EDIT:
Same engine: http://infinitihelp.com/diy/gsedan/p..._procedure.php
Thanks alot, man. I'll definitely do this this winter when it's stored.
Old 12-30-2012, 04:38 PM
  #10  
herrschaft
Registered User
 
herrschaft's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: meth central
Posts: 662
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

MAF = Mass Airflow Sensor. Its located midway on the intake piping, you'll see an electrical plug where its installed.
Old 12-30-2012, 04:42 PM
  #11  
MackinzeeBarnes
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
MackinzeeBarnes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by herrschaft
MAF = Mass Airflow Sensor. Its located midway on the intake piping, you'll see an electrical plug where its installed.
Thanks so much; I'll definitely look into that. Anything to fix this annoyance.
Old 12-30-2012, 04:47 PM
  #12  
RUNWDVL
Registered User
iTrader: (10)
 
RUNWDVL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Burnt on a mantle
Posts: 4,810
Received 236 Likes on 135 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by MackinzeeBarnes
I've heard that before, too. Wasn't there a recall of some sort on that?
I think there was back in 04.
Old 12-30-2012, 07:29 PM
  #13  
Spike100
New Member
 
Spike100's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Edina, Minnesota
Posts: 7,337
Received 203 Likes on 173 Posts
Default

^^ Nissan did a voluntary recall to replace camshaft position sensors, but that was limited to a specific range of VINs on 2003 models.

A faulty camshaft position sensor can cause the car to stall and make it difficult to restart. However, if the sensor is the problem, you would also be experiencing some amount of “rough” idling and see the Service Engine Soon light and your SLIP light.

--Spike
Old 12-30-2012, 07:40 PM
  #14  
MackinzeeBarnes
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
MackinzeeBarnes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Spike100
^^ Nissan did a voluntary recall to replace camshaft position sensors, but that was limited to a specific range of VINs on 2003 models.

A faulty camshaft position sensor can cause the car to stall and make it difficult to restart. However, if the sensor is the problem, you would also be experiencing some amount of “rough” idling and see the Service Engine Soon light and your SLIP light.

--Spike
Thanks for the input! Yeah, I dont have any of those other problems, and it's actually been going on for awhile now, so I'm sure those other signs would have shown up by now. I'll look into the recall just for the hell of it, though. Thanks!
Old 12-31-2012, 04:57 AM
  #15  
Bret86944
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
 
Bret86944's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Is your CEL on?

Are there any other problems with your car?
Old 12-31-2012, 05:35 AM
  #16  
PerfZ
New Member
iTrader: (3)
 
PerfZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: hilliard ohio
Posts: 2,402
Received 14 Likes on 13 Posts
Default

Could also be the anti-theft system. I know of a few '03's that have the same problem and that is what was diagnosed by the dealer. Typically intermittent, just like yours. And expensive to replace. Try removing the key entirely and starting over - that seems to work for some. Also - you say it is NOT the battery - have you had it tested? Just because the car cranks over does NOT mean the battery has enough amps to actually start the car.
Old 12-31-2012, 08:01 AM
  #17  
MackinzeeBarnes
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
MackinzeeBarnes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Bret86944
Is your CEL on?

Are there any other problems with your car?
What is a CEL? Hahaha.
But no, there are no other problems.
Old 12-31-2012, 08:03 AM
  #18  
MackinzeeBarnes
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
MackinzeeBarnes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by PerfZ
Could also be the anti-theft system. I know of a few '03's that have the same problem and that is what was diagnosed by the dealer. Typically intermittent, just like yours. And expensive to replace. Try removing the key entirely and starting over - that seems to work for some. Also - you say it is NOT the battery - have you had it tested? Just because the car cranks over does NOT mean the battery has enough amps to actually start the car.
I've tried taking the key out, putting it back in, using the spare, flipping it around; sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. So that's why I didn't think it was that.

And yes, I've had the battery tested. I've even replaced the battery 3 times in one month because of...well...it's a long story, but yes, it is definitely not the battery.
Old 12-31-2012, 08:15 AM
  #19  
PerfZ
New Member
iTrader: (3)
 
PerfZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: hilliard ohio
Posts: 2,402
Received 14 Likes on 13 Posts
Default

As I said the NATS system can be hit or miss. CEL is check engine light although on the Z it is actually Service Engine Soon - or SES. Regardless, sometimes a code can be thrown without the light coming on, you might want to get it scanned at Pep Boys or some other place that does it for free. Some have gotten a P1615 code which is for the anti-theft system. But if no code, don't have any other suggestions. Where in Ohio are you at???
Old 12-31-2012, 08:26 AM
  #20  
MackinzeeBarnes
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
MackinzeeBarnes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by PerfZ
As I said the NATS system can be hit or miss. CEL is check engine light although on the Z it is actually Service Engine Soon - or SES. Regardless, sometimes a code can be thrown without the light coming on, you might want to get it scanned at Pep Boys or some other place that does it for free. Some have gotten a P1615 code which is for the anti-theft system. But if no code, don't have any other suggestions. Where in Ohio are you at???
Oh, yes, since I've had the car, I haven't had any problems with a check engine light.

I'm in Austintown, which is in Youngstown.


Quick Reply: 03' 350z Won't Start Sometimes?!



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:13 AM.