Hey Guys,

Had an issue with my 2004 350z yesterday. Took it to a mechanic and they cant seem to identify the problem so I'm looking for anything that may help them.

-My battery was dead so I did a push start and popped the clutch (everything seemed normal).

-Once I got to the highway and tried to accelerate the car felt extremely sluggish. If I accelerate slowly the car can reach normal speeds eventually - but if I accelerate normally it feels exactly like the clutch is slipping.

-However, the speedo and the revs function as though the car is going the speed it should be going... IE: I hit the gas and the speedo goes up to 80 mph and matches with the RPMs but the car stays at 60 MPH.

I thought it was a CV joint or and axle that was damaged (since the problem must be after the place where the speed is taken) but the ABS light has not come on.

Additional information:
-The brake light stays on (thats why the battery died and I had to pop the clutch)
-I think the wheel bearing was bad in the back left tire
-Rear right may have a slight angle to it (not cambered but actually un-aligned with straight.

 

You need to make it so the brake light switch does not stay on.

 

1. Brake light is on because why? Have you checked the brake fluid reservoir to see if it is low? Possibly the brake switch itself on the brake pedal is miss adjusted causing the light to stay on all the time? Have you checked for any DTC codes hat might be causing the brake light to be on?

2. Clutch slip is only happening if the engine rpms increase and your vehicle speed does not. This also tends to happen easier in higher gears (4th-5th-6th) when at lower speeds as it places a higher load on the clutch. Does this happen in every gear, all speeds? If you continue to do what you think is clutch slip, do you smell anything as a slipping clutch in a Z if only for 5-10 seconds will emit a very bad odor.

 

If you try to press the gas with your brake light switch activated you will not have any power.