Intermittent failure to start...

FearlessLeadr · 03-06-2013, 01:40 AM

So, i've read all the issues with the steering lock, and this does not appear to be the problem. When i get in my car, push the clutch to the floor, then press the start button, sometimes it cycles straight through and starts as it should. Other times, it just goes to the ACC, then requiring another press to get to the ON. At this point, everything turns on, exactly as normal, except it does not crank. There is no weird noises whatsoever. I can hear the fuel pump kick on, the steering wheel lock disengages, the dash lights and stereo turn on fine, but it doesn't try to start. When i press the button again, it just turns off. The car has always eventually started, but sometimes i have to press the button 40-50 times, just continuously cycling through until it catches.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

DEpointfive0 · 03-06-2013, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeadr

So, i've read all the issues with the steering lock, and this does not appear to be the problem. When i get in my car, push the clutch to the floor, then press the start button, sometimes it cycles straight through and starts as it should. Other times, it just goes to the ACC, then requiring another press to get to the ON. At this point, everything turns on, exactly as normal, except it does not crank. There is no weird noises whatsoever. I can hear the fuel pump kick on, the steering wheel lock disengages, the dash lights and stereo turn on fine, but it doesn't try to start. When i press the button again, it just turns off. The car has always eventually started, but sometimes i have to press the button 40-50 times, just continuously cycling through until it catches.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Um... Is your foot on the brake too???

DEpointfive0 · 03-06-2013, 01:55 AM

It is this your problem:
Problems Starting ;-(

SouthArk370Z · 03-06-2013, 08:00 AM

Weird. Subbed to see what the problem turns out to be. Good luck.

BTW, the fact that it will go to ACC indicates to me that the SLU is not the problem. When the SLU fails, you are stuck in OFF and it won't go to ACC or ON.

gotchu99 · 03-06-2013, 08:38 AM

I would check the clutch switch. It might be out of adjustment or faulty.

FearlessLeadr · 03-06-2013, 12:16 PM

I've tried with my foot on the brake, taking it in and out of gear, rolling it back and forth, hitting it, sweet talking it, and pressing the button at all different speeds. I've found no rhyme or reason as to when it starts and when it doesn't.

The engine fires immediately every time it cranks, it just won't crank. Like my starter solenoid never engages. I have no mods on the car and it's got 36k miles. I'm almost completely out of ideas. It's also a degenerative problem as it's gotten much worse.

Does anyone know if the clutch switch is just a contact or if it sends a control language? That's the only thing I can think of now, because I tried disconnecting it and bypassing the switch to no avail.

Thanks for the help.

03g35coupe6mt · 03-06-2013, 12:42 PM

Sounds like the clutch switch if your out of warranty might be the cheapest thing to try .

FearlessLeadr · 03-06-2013, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03g35coupe6mt

Sounds like the clutch switch if your out of warranty might be the cheapest thing to try .

Just found the part for $16.68. Ordering it now. At that price, i might as well try it. I just can't believe how intermittent it is. Maybe it's corroded, so it's got a reduced amperage coming back that's only occasionally breaking threshold. I don't know if it's just a 4-20mA signal or a voltage thing, or what.

03g35coupe6mt · 03-06-2013, 02:47 PM

just so you know if you havent already done it u definately should remove your steering lock fuse

SouthArk370Z · 03-06-2013, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeadr

Just found the part for $16.68. Ordering it now. At that price, i might as well try it. I just can't believe how intermittent it is. Maybe it's corroded, so it's got a reduced amperage coming back that's only occasionally breaking threshold. I don't know if it's just a 4-20mA signal or a voltage thing, or what.

I know of no cars that use 4-20mA. At $16.68, you can pretty well bet that it's not "or what". For that price, it's almost certainly a simple switch.
And, according to the 2009 FSM (EC-536), it's a single-pole switch.

It may be that the switch just needs adjustment or the bracket (if any) is loose.

fuct · 03-06-2013, 04:51 PM

sounds like the clutch pedal sensor....

03g35coupe6mt · 03-06-2013, 05:43 PM

i had the one for the cruise control replaced already wouldnt be surprised at all if the regular one went bad as many times as the clutch gets pushed down

FearlessLeadr · 03-06-2013, 10:33 PM

Just pulled the pedal sensor switch. It's just a disconnect. No control language, so it's not the problem. Stalled in traffic today. I need this fixed.

FearlessLeadr · 03-06-2013, 11:00 PM

Also pulled the fuse and no change. I'm running out of ideas.

SouthArk370Z · 03-06-2013, 11:17 PM

If a bad clutch interlock switch is the problem, you can temporarily disconnect the connector on the switch and jury-rig your own switch until the replacement comes in. Flip your temporary switch to the proper position, start car, flip switch back to "normal" position until next start.

If you know what a 4-20mA loop is, you should be able to handle it.

Use at your own risk, not responsible for accidents or damage, &c, &c, &c.

03-06-2013, 01:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
FearlessLeadr Base Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Hawaii Posts: 10 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 12	Intermittent failure to start... So, i've read all the issues with the steering lock, and this does not appear to be the problem. When i get in my car, push the clutch to the floor, then press the start button, sometimes it cycles straight through and starts as it should. Other times, it just goes to the ACC, then requiring another press to get to the ON. At this point, everything turns on, exactly as normal, except it does not crank. There is no weird noises whatsoever. I can hear the fuel pump kick on, the steering wheel lock disengages, the dash lights and stereo turn on fine, but it doesn't try to start. When i press the button again, it just turns off. The car has always eventually started, but sometimes i have to press the button 40-50 times, just continuously cycling through until it catches. Does anyone have any experience with this?

03-06-2013, 01:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
DEpointfive0 Premium Member Bitches Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 14,824 Drives: a lot Rep Power: 17151	It is this your problem: Problems Starting ;-( __________________ Do YOU want to know what/where I got my username from? ( Click to show/hide ) NSFW due to language:

03-06-2013, 08:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	Weird. Subbed to see what the problem turns out to be. Good luck. BTW, the fact that it will go to ACC indicates to me that the SLU is not the problem. When the SLU fails, you are stuck in OFF and it won't go to ACC or ON. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

03-06-2013, 02:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
03g35coupe6mt Base Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: East Stroudsburg Pa Posts: 183 Drives: 2010 Z / 2003 G35cp Rep Power: 15	just so you know if you havent already done it u definately should remove your steering lock fuse DEpointfive0 likes this.

03-06-2013, 11:17 PM	#15 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	If a bad clutch interlock switch is the problem, you can temporarily disconnect the connector on the switch and jury-rig your own switch until the replacement comes in. Flip your temporary switch to the proper position, start car, flip switch back to "normal" position until next start. If you know what a 4-20mA loop is, you should be able to handle it. Use at your own risk, not responsible for accidents or damage, &c, &c, &c. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

03-06-2013, 08:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
gotchu99 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ny Posts: 86 Drives: '09 370z black mt, Rep Power: 14	I would check the clutch switch. It might be out of adjustment or faulty.

03-06-2013, 12:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
FearlessLeadr Base Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Hawaii Posts: 10 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 12	I've tried with my foot on the brake, taking it in and out of gear, rolling it back and forth, hitting it, sweet talking it, and pressing the button at all different speeds. I've found no rhyme or reason as to when it starts and when it doesn't. The engine fires immediately every time it cranks, it just won't crank. Like my starter solenoid never engages. I have no mods on the car and it's got 36k miles. I'm almost completely out of ideas. It's also a degenerative problem as it's gotten much worse. Does anyone know if the clutch switch is just a contact or if it sends a control language? That's the only thing I can think of now, because I tried disconnecting it and bypassing the switch to no avail. Thanks for the help.

03-06-2013, 12:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
03g35coupe6mt Base Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: East Stroudsburg Pa Posts: 183 Drives: 2010 Z / 2003 G35cp Rep Power: 15	Sounds like the clutch switch if your out of warranty might be the cheapest thing to try .

03-06-2013, 04:51 PM	#11 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 24	sounds like the clutch pedal sensor....

03-06-2013, 05:43 PM	#12 (permalink)
03g35coupe6mt Base Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: East Stroudsburg Pa Posts: 183 Drives: 2010 Z / 2003 G35cp Rep Power: 15	i had the one for the cruise control replaced already wouldnt be surprised at all if the regular one went bad as many times as the clutch gets pushed down

03-06-2013, 10:33 PM	#13 (permalink)
FearlessLeadr Base Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Hawaii Posts: 10 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 12	Just pulled the pedal sensor switch. It's just a disconnect. No control language, so it's not the problem. Stalled in traffic today. I need this fixed.

03-06-2013, 11:00 PM	#14 (permalink)
FearlessLeadr Base Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Hawaii Posts: 10 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 12	Also pulled the fuse and no change. I'm running out of ideas.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
370z wont start no power . Where to start	acracing118	Exterior & Interior	6	01-05-2013 07:37 PM
Intermittent Slight Stumble at Idle	Jordo!	Nissan 370Z Warranty / Scheduled Maintenance / Servicing / Repairs	9	04-15-2012 01:27 PM
intermittent passenger door unlock	370z2k10	Nissan 370Z Warranty / Scheduled Maintenance / Servicing / Repairs	1	03-16-2011 02:12 PM
cold start/push start	chops	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	21	02-14-2011 04:40 AM
Intermittent window roll down	Z_U_later	Nissan 370Z Roadster (Convertible)	0	06-15-2010 03:50 AM