sticking throttle-bad ECM

Slem · 12-14-2010, 11:44 AM

Thanks for the reply Tav.

The first go around the dealer had the car for about 2 weeks. It threw no codes and everything functioned properly. Except for the acceleration issue. No "check engine" lights, codes or anything. Nissan saw that it wasn't a made up story or a dysfunctional driver since the car recreated this prob in from of 3 of their service reps.

This is what the service guys found. After calling the Nissan engineers several times they concluded that the ECM was bad. They put the old ECM in a freezer and tested it with every 5 degree or so drop in temp. At around 30 degrees the ECM started "tripping." I can't say exactly what it did, the only info they would give me is that at 30 degrees it did not perform normally. They had a new one flown in Friday. They kept it overnight and the car functioned normally for them. I picked it up Sat and drove it with no issues. Sunday morning I went to work at 6AM. It was 32 degrees outside. The Z functioned normally until 6-8 minutes had elapsed. Then the stuck throttle started again. It tached at 4 grand and stayed. I upshifted and the car accelerated. Not just a little bump in gas. It started accelerating towards 5 and 6 grand. I Clutched it, tapped the gas and it went to idle. I continued driving but it kept doing it. Stopped at a light and remembered something the service rep said. At a full stop I put it in reverse for a second. Then went to 1st and continued driving. The problem went away. The next day I was going to work at 5AM and it was 31 outside. The problem happened again so I pulled over to the side of the road and calmed her down. De-selected S-mode and the problem went away. Cept noe the "service engine soon" light was on. Dropped it off at Nissan yesterday. When they hooked up the car they found no codes.

I guess they're stumped. The car is drawing A LOT of attention from Nissan for obvious reasons. They said something yesterday about flying a few engineers in analyze the car. They said this is the 1st reported case of this worldwide.

So, if your cruising the Z be careful and observant if the outside air temp approaches 30 degrees F!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
clutch sticking after aggressive driving	Pharmacist	Engine & Drivetrain	40	03-03-2013 09:17 AM
clutch sticking?	Pharmacist	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	32	11-11-2011 08:57 PM
Rear hatch sticking again after having TSB service for it	billydsz	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	14	10-19-2010 10:36 AM
Clarification Re: Sticking Hatch	rmorrow	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	4	08-19-2010 08:11 PM
Tach needle sticking...	ssqpolo	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	3	07-15-2009 03:57 PM

12-14-2010, 11:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
Slem Base Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 8 Drives: 10 370Z Rep Power: 15	Thanks for the reply Tav. The first go around the dealer had the car for about 2 weeks. It threw no codes and everything functioned properly. Except for the acceleration issue. No "check engine" lights, codes or anything. Nissan saw that it wasn't a made up story or a dysfunctional driver since the car recreated this prob in from of 3 of their service reps. This is what the service guys found. After calling the Nissan engineers several times they concluded that the ECM was bad. They put the old ECM in a freezer and tested it with every 5 degree or so drop in temp. At around 30 degrees the ECM started "tripping." I can't say exactly what it did, the only info they would give me is that at 30 degrees it did not perform normally. They had a new one flown in Friday. They kept it overnight and the car functioned normally for them. I picked it up Sat and drove it with no issues. Sunday morning I went to work at 6AM. It was 32 degrees outside. The Z functioned normally until 6-8 minutes had elapsed. Then the stuck throttle started again. It tached at 4 grand and stayed. I upshifted and the car accelerated. Not just a little bump in gas. It started accelerating towards 5 and 6 grand. I Clutched it, tapped the gas and it went to idle. I continued driving but it kept doing it. Stopped at a light and remembered something the service rep said. At a full stop I put it in reverse for a second. Then went to 1st and continued driving. The problem went away. The next day I was going to work at 5AM and it was 31 outside. The problem happened again so I pulled over to the side of the road and calmed her down. De-selected S-mode and the problem went away. Cept noe the "service engine soon" light was on. Dropped it off at Nissan yesterday. When they hooked up the car they found no codes. I guess they're stumped. The car is drawing A LOT of attention from Nissan for obvious reasons. They said something yesterday about flying a few engineers in analyze the car. They said this is the 1st reported case of this worldwide. So, if your cruising the Z be careful and observant if the outside air temp approaches 30 degrees F!