Cranks but won't start, no code...
 

So, Ive done some research, and haven't gotten a similar issue.

Tonight I go into a Wawa (NJ thing) to grab dinner, not in the store longer than 10min, come back out and all the car (03 350z enthusiast) does is crank and crank, won't turn over. And yet no code.

Roll it fwd to try to pop start it and couldn't get enough momentum by myself, still just cranks. So, I push it back into the spot and try cranking again and it fires right up... Never once did it throw a code.

I should note that I was on the phone with the driver side door open for about 5 min before trying to start the car initially after coming out of the store.

Got the car home, and it has started with no issue 3 times when I got it home and another 3 times about an hour later, just out of curiosity, each of the times the car started fine.

Ive consulted a couple sources and most common are CAS or CPS, but are these symptoms consistent with this issue, and never throwing a code?

Car is fairly new to me, about 2 months old, and has about 92k mi on it, bone stock.
Thanks in advance.

I'm betting it's the CPS

Cam Position Sensor?

OR

Crank Sensor?

Sorry not great with the acronym's prob shouldn't have used them ...

my bet is the cam sensors

Seems to be the answer Im getting - just when I searched, most (i didn't read about all cases) cases the problem was paired with a code.

I will be replacing both today, but is it possible that sitting with the door open while on the phone for that 5-7min tripped the anti-theft? Just curious, I didn't know about the solid red dash light prior to, so I didn't know to look for that, and can't say whether it was on or not.

my buddy had an 03 and his would do the same thing, he would run somewhere turn if off... come back wouldnt start and then after about 10 minutes it would

His were Cam Position Sensors?

Thanks.

yeah he replaced both of them and never had the issue again

Awesome, thank you, I will be replacing both today, and giving an outcome, one ting I found while searching was a lot of problems and suggested solutions but no resolutions, so I will try to give mine !

Mine's done that a couple of times and it was related to the lock key fob sensor. All I had to do was lock the doors and unlock them again and it started right up.

When you say crank and crank but wont turn do you mean the starter is cranking and not engaging with the flywheel like the wheel is missing some teeth? Or cranking over (motor is turning over) and its not starting like when you run out of gas or the engine is flooded? Because if its the first answer it might be some missing teeth in your flywheel and when you pushed the car it moved and allowed you to start it again...

Cam

Yeah it's normal for those sensors to fail like that without setting a code. Crank sensors do it on a lot of cars but the nissans are also prone to having the cam sensors act up. They stop reading when hot, which is why they give that problem right after driving but if they sit for a while they tend to start reading again once they cool down.

The other issue could be NATS. If the key chip is not recognized, the immobilizer will kick in and cut the ignition. You need a complete diagnostic (CONSULT III) to establish this, but do you still use the original keys and have you tried starting it with your spare as well?

Yeah I was thinking the NATS as well.

I replaced the cam sensors yesterday - and haven't had an issue yet ... I will update if the problem persists. Haven't had any issues since, only happened the one time. (knock on wood)

Let's repeat that last question again: do you still use the original keys (for this particular Z) and have you tried starting it with your spare (key) as well?

Well, the problem reared its ugly head yesterday and then again this morning. Each time just cranking and waiting and then finally starts. Still no code, and running and driving like normal.

I believe it may be the original key, not positive tho. I've only needed to use the spare once and it worked fine.

Not sure what direction to go at this point?

Crank position sensor?

Aaaand thought I solved the problem as it did it again when I got out of the coffee shop on the way to work this morning, thought it may have been the steering column not locking, but then tried it both ways and started fine... puzzled

Did the lock/unlock

Did the hold key in acc position for a second then start

Did the flip the key

None seem to be the fool proof solution...

Have you tested the battery? It could be that it's on its way out and while it has enough power to crank the engine it's having a hard time cranking the engine and running the computer at the same time... Just a wild guess though...

I haven't, I will test it when I have it at my buddies shop to install the crank sensor today...

There is slight corrosion on the neg terminal, will clean it as well, but Im thinking it's not the batt, but couldn't hurt to test it.