can't start my Z!! burnt something? help?
 

Hi all!

first of all i got my Z, unfortunately the battery was not the original one and was placed wrongly in its place with the poles on each other's side, like the + is in the - place. so I without noticing that brought a jump started n plugged it wrongly to the main cables :owned: n some smoke started to come out from battery place so i immediatly removed that wires.

i took it to an electrecian who started to check the fuses obviously looking for a short circuit or any kind of damage but found nothing! he confirmed that allll the fuses are sound and working perfectly.

one other thing is the FOB key, it wasn't the cars original as that was stolen. I got someone who came and programmed another nissan key, in the begining he couldn't but later on he told me that it was done and the car responds to the FOB when its inside the car and we got the dashboard lights working with the lights, indicators...etc

the key locks/unlocks the car BUT im not able to get the car to start :shakes head:


ANY ONE CAN HELP PLZZZZ???

I just got a call from the guy, he told me that the key doesn't unlock/lock the car as i thought! which means that the car will not respind to the push start button as to the car the key doesn't exist !! he told me that he won't be able to programme that key untill the steering wheel is locked! as its not getting locked for i don't know what reason?

to me the first step should be getting the key flashed or programmed to let the car give the ignition order, the question now is how can i get that sterring locked? i move it but it doesn't lock it self! and i also need to know whether if this info is correct, is it true that we need the steering locked to get the key programmed? is there any thing as such? :confused:

Sounds like you've got some pretty major electrical damage. I'd start by inspecting and testing the ENTIRE electrical system and replacing what's damaged. Once that's sorted out, you can attempt to program a key.

There is a way to manually lock/unlock the steering lock, though. Tell the technician to take a look at the wiring diagram for the steering lock system. There's a single wire that supplies voltage to lock/unlock the steering wheel. I believe it's a brown wire, but I may be mistaken.


Good luck!

I did that once on my old 240sx (replacement battery had the +/- on different sides).

Double check your fuses...my alternator was fried and the fuse for it blown

*edit* Nvm my car did start...different situation where it didn't.

Pray you didn't reverse the polarity throughout the system. I've seen this happen before a number of years back $$$$

Good luck

Unfort this doesn't sound good... you might have blown the ECU/BCM and other parts of the harness... I think the only thing you can do is bite the bullet and take it to the dealership... even they are probably just going to start replacing parts until they get it working. Did you do the battery install?

It sounds like you are saying that the battery was installed backwards when you got the car... I'm not sure how that could be (heck I didn't even think that would work) but if it is I'd make sure to contact the person you got it from... you def made a mistake but they basically led you there IMO.

I would start be checking all of the components of the starting system, in the order in which the current would flow through it. That would be the battery, fuses, the starter relay, the clutch interlock switch, the BCM, and the ECM. Most likely one of the computers, as they are more susceptible to current overloads. I'm sorry to hear about it man, whatever it is, it's probably going to be pricey.

The car will NOT run with the battery hooked up backwards.

I don't know about this car in particular but a lot of newer cars run a pre-fuse box that has 4 or 5 large 100-200 amp fuses in it that branches out to differnt legs of the car. If you're lucky we have one of those and it just blew those fuses. If not it could be like others have mentioned, big money issues.

You would get lucky if you just burnt one of those, but I doubt you would have power to anything if one was fried. The cluster and everything still lights up, correct? Does it say "no key"?

Thanks all for the comments!!!

i just got another Z key. i found that the one i had is an Altima Key which wouldn't fit!

the guy did some stuf with his blue game boy.... the steering locked and i was like :happydance:

later on he moced to stage 2 on his game boy n then he managed to programme the key.. so it started locking/unlocking the doors.

BUT!!!! we couldn't get it to start??? like the keys is 100% working and is working perfectly with the car.. i get the lights, gauges are working. but still its not cranking up?

one thing only i doubt.. is the battery.. cuz i got a shop's battery n kept it on the floor and placed the jumper cables between them.. maybe the current wasn't strong enough due to the jumper cables?

if not then any assumptions? thoughts?:driving:

Bro I'm still trying to figure out where the gameboy comes into play and why you are letting a 12 year old Pokemon fanatic program your keys.

Is the key/transponder actually coded for your VIN?

I can't figure out where you are going with the battery thing...

If you have someone that is programming the key, it has to be a Nissan dealership... are you saying that the dealership can't figure out how to start your car or what is wrong? An independent shop does not typically have the computer system needed to link a transponder key to your vehicle.

Also I believe an Altima key would probably fit/work with your car anyhow depending on the radio frequencies it distributes. I believe it is the same system (just probably not programmed to your vehicle).

well ye that was the only way ( taking it to the dealership ) but a keysmith asked me to get him a Z key and he'll programme it, i blv that an altima key won't work.. as they have different coding numbers thing on them. i think a murano key would only fit a Z.

anyways, thats not the concern. i thought i'll go with what that keysmith says and see what happens. and it actually worked :ugh2:

he told me that its true that he can set the frequencies with that device he had but he can't use that altima key. in the begining i thought its just some talks as he's not able to do it.. but when i got him the Z key he did it and he made it work! the steering locks now.. the car gives that red security blinking light ( it didnt before programing ) and the car responds as i mentioned.. like the doors locks/unlocks.

i can confirm that the car is now responding to that Z key!

what i need to know now is why the start button is not giving the start order?:eekdance:

This is just weird! Man you have an issue that is leaving us blank & how things are coming about to solve the issue. Not sure what was done to cause this, but hopefully you can get it fixed.

i know man im going crazy cuz of this!! i will just try fitin a fresh powerful battery directly with no jumper cables & see what happens i hope it works! ill update u guys soon

Does the start button light up? ...and just to confim, you are holding the clutch down right?.....just checking.

AGAIN no use !!! i went and replaced the battery with a good battery. everything was functioning in the car. i tried puting the a/c on, it was blowing air, checked other electircal instruments and all was just working fine!

when i tried to start the car, i pressed the push to start button it goes to the ready mode where u get the dash/cluster lights on, and then when i do the clutch + start it just doesn't do anything!! i went to the engine bay area, tried looking for fuses here n there but all seem to be ok.. while checking those fuses. i noticed that the engine is making this continious noise like a beep.. its not loud but u can easily head it ( its like teeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet) and its coming from the engine.. i thought maybe it has something to do with the issue.. cuz i had a 2011 370Z nismo and when i started my engine at that time, i never heard that noise? any thoughts would be appreciated, btw i have spoken to a friend who will take it soon to the dealership, so i just wanted to hear from you guys before i make a move.

I would stick my head under the dash and check the clutch switch. Make sure it's functioning properly (making contacts).

that's what i had in mind actually, i felt like the car is not realising that im stepping on the clutch cuz the display was asking me to do ( Clutch + start ) while i was stepping, so i felt it would be the clutch sensor or switch.

i dont know how it looks or where should i find it? and can i manually activate the switch? or it has to be replaced?

I have no idea what the clutch switch is like in the Z. But other cars it's located at the top of the clutch pedal arm, they are usually adjustable. Have a look and let us know what you find. Maybe someone else who's played with the clutch switch will chime in.

My post from page 1...


The emphasis is on inspecting and testing the ENTIRE electrical system and replacing what's damaged.

You need to TEST components. Don't just guess; you'll never get anywhere like that. As far as the clutch switch, it's on the clutch pedal bracket. Yes you can bypass it. But test it first. After you test the clutch switch, test the ignition switch. Get yourself a factory service manual, crack open the wiring diagrams, and work through each circuit that has anything to do with starting the car and test components.

Clutch switch would be the first thing to test. I can't remember, but the warning/reminder to press the clutch to start should turn off as soon as you step on the clutch.

See attachment. BCS Section of the service manual.

@ vividracing & Cmike2780, i took it long time back to check all circuits and fuses and harnesses and we found few burnt items which were all replaced.

as Cmike2780 said, i also do blv that once u step on the clutch, that warning thing goes off.. im not 100% sure neither but i do blv it goes off as i had a 2011 nismo earlier and at that time i do remember that it goes off when pressing clutch ( still not 100% sure its just what i remember) i want to go and check it myself but the problem is that the car is far away from where i stay and work! i counted on a lazy frnd to follow up on it and take it here n there to finalise but unfortunatly he's useless so i have to go there and check it my self otherwise i'll just keep growing in age and nothing is goin to be done!

i'm off tomorrow so i'll go to the car myself n check everything. will start with the clutch switch for sure and then might check the ignition switch/button

will keep you guys updated

its not the switch either :( an electrecian confirmed that the contact is done and he even did it directly but still not cranking

he said he'll get someone to reprogramme the ecu maybe? i dont know im lost

OK 370Z owners! would any of you plz help me here?? if u don't mind just go to ur Z open the door. push the start button once, i mean try to get the clutch+button on the display and then just step on the clutch and tell us whether if the display goes away or it stays as it is?!?!

The display does not go away when stepping on the clutch.

FINALLY SOMEONE HELPED! Thank u boss :tiphat:

NO USE!!! i tried lots of things but nothing worked!!

i was analysing the issues and steps.. now since i got a new fob.. i blv that maaaaaybe the ecu needs to be reprogrammed? i took it to the dealer anyways and told them that i dont want anything except for the cranking thing to work.. so they will inspect it n let me know whats wrong.. i started doubting that its a matter of reprogramming the ecu.

will keep u guys posted.. its takin so long

OK NOW THIS IS SERIOUS NOW !!! :shakes head:

those stealership ppl r sayin that its just a wire!! :icon14:

lsn to this, if i just to know which wire i pay 500$:ugh2:

if i want them to do it, it'll cost something arnd 4000$ :gtfo2:


Since its that way, ill take it out knowing that the ecu is ok and doesn't need to be reprogrammed and no other parts are damaged.

i'll take it to an electrician n make him inspect each inch of those wires everywhere n find which one is it that is causing this nightmare :stirthepot:

FINALLLLLLYYYYYYYY !!!!!! ITS WORKINNNNNNNNN

:happydance::happydance:

after all of that, one small shop found that the reason is nothing but a small ac!!!!

logic! its true i plugged the cables wrongly.. but in anyway that car didn't give the start order as the key wasnt original!! and since day 1 i thought i did wrong by pushing the butting with the cables placed wrongly!!

the guy checked all the cables n said all r ok, then he traced the starting cable, n he found that it goes to a relay, signal reaches there n doesnt go to the starter! so he simply opened that box or fuses box i dont know whats that and checked the stuff in there n found that one ac was burnt!!!

thats all :rofl2:

im sooo happy it worked!! :icon18:


willll finish it sooooon :driving:

Umm..did anyone else understand a word of that ?

Sure: the car didn't give the start order because an ac was burnt.

Now I suppose you'll want to know what he means by "start order", and what the hell is an "ac". I know I do. ;) :icon08:

Certainly. The flux capacitor was not issuing a start command due to a fouling of the 1.2 gigowatt AC fuse.

1.2 jiggawatts

Man, I'm glad we got THAT straightened out!

and where were u n Mr 370purist when i needed u guys???? :icon14:

seems like u have the knowledge :yum:.. but again u would have needed to see the problem in person i blv to start givin n buildin thoughts :hello:

thanxxx everyone for helpin n givin all u had its working thats wut im all about now :rofl2: