Car doesn't start... it's not the battery...I think

white_wolf · 11-03-2014, 02:51 PM

Help please!

The situation:
- car doesn't start (video included)
- car sat for 1.5 weeks (neglect..I know...I'm sorry, I was on vacation)
- I tried jump starting the car... no avail (what happens?...same thing on the video)
- window doesn't go back to "up/in" position after door is closed
- when not connected to jump-start machine-thing, the dome lights are dim
- I can get into "on" mode, but double din doesn't start up

Notes:
- entirely possible I've been jump starting cars wrong all these years... I recently checked youtube/co-workers and apparently I didn't know you had to let the good car run/idle for a bit before starting the "dead" car... I normally hooked the two bastards up and fired up the dead car.... in my defense, it worked everytime...except on my car. -_-

- I tried putting the fob in the "fob-gina" to start the car...with no avail. I have not tried using a new battery in my key fob.

- In the video I used a friend's emergency jump-start machine-thing he bought from Costco. According to this device, the battery is good and "ready".

Please help me! Car is pissed with me for leaving on vacation. -_-

6MT-Z34 · 11-03-2014, 02:54 PM

steering lock maybe?

ANMVQ · 11-03-2014, 02:57 PM

Sounds like dead battery, I just changed mine on my 09, Same thing happened to me couldn't jump it either :/.
but you should always let the charging car run for a while 3-5 mins maybe depending, You can also try bypassing the batter by using the pos term on the battery and the frame for the ground cable ? I have had that work before.

white_wolf · 11-03-2014, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MT-Z34

steering lock maybe?

It better not be... I had Nissan "fix" it under recall. XD

Quote:

Originally Posted by ANMVQ

Sounds like dead battery, I just changed mine on my 09, Same thing happened to me couldn't jump it either :/.
but you should always let the charging car run for a while 3-5 mins maybe depending, You can also try bypassing the batter by using the pos term on the battery and the frame for the ground cable ? I have had that work before.

Hmm.. I will try that.

1slow370 · 11-03-2014, 04:07 PM

As ANMVQ said jumps should ALWAYS be done with the positve on the battery and the neative on a good ground like the timing cover, and you should let the target vehicle charge for a few minutes before starting it. It helps to rev the good vehicle to 2k-2.5k to get the alternator pumping out full amps. Cables can only move 70-100amps so if there isn't enough charge in the target battery it is still going to be hard to jump.

MJB · 11-03-2014, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1slow370

As ANMVQ said jumps should ALWAYS be done with the positve on the battery and the neative on a good ground like the timing cover, and you should let the target vehicle charge for a few minutes before starting it. It helps to rev the good vehicle to 2k-2.5k to get the alternator pumping out full amps. Cables can only move 70-100amps so if there isn't enough charge in the target battery it is still going to be hard to jump.

Good point. Most people think you are supposed to put the negative cable on the negative post of the dead battery.... ummm wrong!

MacCool · 11-03-2014, 06:34 PM

Your car should be fine sitting for 1.5 weeks. You can't check a battery without load testing it, but it sounds like it's shot. I'd just go get a new one.

SouthArk370Z · 11-03-2014, 08:08 PM

I'd clean the battery terminals first. If that doesn't fix the problem, it sounds like you need a new battery (or alternator).

As far as hooking up jumper cables:
Hook up the cables to the good battery (go straight to the battery terminals). Place the positive jumper on the positive terminal of the bad battery. Ground the negative cable to the chassis, somewhere away from the battery. To remove, reverse process (remove negative from chassis first).
The idea is to keep sparks away from the battery. Batteries produce Hydrogen gas which is VERY explosive.

Dale · 11-03-2014, 08:17 PM

Try new battery in key fob before other exspenses

Akurei · 11-03-2014, 08:57 PM

Just put a volt meter/multimeter on your battery. A good battery should be stabilized at 12.67/12.76v. Not less than 12.60v (bad cells). You may wanna check your alternator voltage when you get the car back up and running in case its the reason your battery died, you never know.

Just so you know for reference in a no start condition in case its not the battery, a slow turn over means you're getting gas (possibly an ignition/spark problem), a fast turn over means no fuel in the cylinders (check fuel system, thats including its electrical circuit, ie fuses first)

Hope this helps, oh yeah, yours is a slow turn over but I'd check battery first

ayrton88 · 11-04-2014, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

I'd clean the battery terminals first. If that doesn't fix the problem, it sounds like you need a new battery (or alternator).

As far as hooking up jumper cables:
Hook up the cables to the good battery (go straight to the battery terminals). Place the positive jumper on the positive terminal of the bad battery. Ground the negative cable to the chassis, somewhere away from the battery. To remove, reverse process (remove negative from chassis first).
The idea is to keep sparks away from the battery. Batteries produce Hydrogen gas which is VERY explosive.

Ideally that's true, but I've had older cars that it is very hard to get a good ground. I've had to use the negative terminal...but it makes me very nervous. The last thing you want to do is start shaking when hooking the negative up because it will start arching for sure.

Read T · 11-04-2014, 11:00 AM

Did you leave the fob in the car? if so it could run the car battery down (and possibly the fob battery).

When my fob died, the car wouldn't recognize it even once it was in the fobgina and I had to have a fr iend go pick up a new battery for the fob. Then she started right up.

1slow370 · 11-04-2014, 12:19 PM

if it is attempting to start, as in the starter clicks or the motor tries to turn over but fails, ignore all comments about the fob and just go get a new battery

falconfixer · 11-04-2014, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1slow370

if it is attempting to start, as in the starter clicks or the motor tries to turn over but fails, ignore all comments about the fob and just go get a new battery

white_wolf · 11-04-2014, 09:58 PM

My car lives!! Thank you all very much! I went and got a new battery, and she fired right up! =D

11-03-2014, 02:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
white_wolf Base Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 100 Drives: 40th Anni. Ed. 370z Rep Power: 14	Car doesn't start... it's not the battery...I think Help please! The situation: - car doesn't start (video included) - car sat for 1.5 weeks (neglect..I know...I'm sorry, I was on vacation) - I tried jump starting the car... no avail (what happens?...same thing on the video) - window doesn't go back to "up/in" position after door is closed - when not connected to jump-start machine-thing, the dome lights are dim - I can get into "on" mode, but double din doesn't start up Notes: - entirely possible I've been jump starting cars wrong all these years... I recently checked youtube/co-workers and apparently I didn't know you had to let the good car run/idle for a bit before starting the "dead" car... I normally hooked the two bastards up and fired up the dead car.... in my defense, it worked everytime...except on my car. -_- - I tried putting the fob in the "fob-gina" to start the car...with no avail. I have not tried using a new battery in my key fob. - In the video I used a friend's emergency jump-start machine-thing he bought from Costco. According to this device, the battery is good and "ready". Please help me! Car is pissed with me for leaving on vacation. -_- __________________ 1998 Honda Prelude - Sold (and is sometimes missed) 2006 Infiniti M35 S - Sold (not missed...at all) 2010 Nissan 370z - Current

11-03-2014, 02:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
ANMVQ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Framingham MA Posts: 2,732 Drives: 2014 Q50 AWD Rep Power: 19	Sounds like dead battery, I just changed mine on my 09, Same thing happened to me couldn't jump it either :/. but you should always let the charging car run for a while 3-5 mins maybe depending, You can also try bypassing the batter by using the pos term on the battery and the frame for the ground cable ? I have had that work before. __________________ 14 Q50 AWD, ARK, ECUTEK (SEB), Takda,

11-03-2014, 04:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
1slow370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: In the D Posts: 3,732 Drives: v8 74 260z ;) Rep Power: 7251	As ANMVQ said jumps should ALWAYS be done with the positve on the battery and the neative on a good ground like the timing cover, and you should let the target vehicle charge for a few minutes before starting it. It helps to rev the good vehicle to 2k-2.5k to get the alternator pumping out full amps. Cables can only move 70-100amps so if there isn't enough charge in the target battery it is still going to be hard to jump. __________________ ANSWER PRICE LIST Answers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $0.75 Answers (requiring thought) - - - - $1.25 Answers (correct) - - - - - - - - - - $12.50

11-03-2014, 08:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	I'd clean the battery terminals first. If that doesn't fix the problem, it sounds like you need a new battery (or alternator). As far as hooking up jumper cables: Hook up the cables to the good battery (go straight to the battery terminals). Place the positive jumper on the positive terminal of the bad battery. Ground the negative cable to the chassis, somewhere away from the battery. To remove, reverse process (remove negative from chassis first). The idea is to keep sparks away from the battery. Batteries produce Hydrogen gas which is VERY explosive. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

11-03-2014, 08:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
Dale Base Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 7 Drives: 09 370z red touring Rep Power: 12	Try new battery in key fob before other exspenses Akurei likes this.

11-03-2014, 02:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
6MT-Z34 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 1,726 Drives: PW Z Rep Power: 15	steering lock maybe?

11-03-2014, 06:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
MacCool A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,349 Drives: 370Z PW 2014 Rep Power: 16	Your car should be fine sitting for 1.5 weeks. You can't check a battery without load testing it, but it sounds like it's shot. I'd just go get a new one.

11-03-2014, 08:57 PM	#10 (permalink)
Akurei Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: California Posts: 319 Drives: 14 370z Rep Power: 11	Just put a volt meter/multimeter on your battery. A good battery should be stabilized at 12.67/12.76v. Not less than 12.60v (bad cells). You may wanna check your alternator voltage when you get the car back up and running in case its the reason your battery died, you never know. Just so you know for reference in a no start condition in case its not the battery, a slow turn over means you're getting gas (possibly an ignition/spark problem), a fast turn over means no fuel in the cylinders (check fuel system, thats including its electrical circuit, ie fuses first) Hope this helps, oh yeah, yours is a slow turn over but I'd check battery first Last edited by Akurei; 11-03-2014 at 09:00 PM.

11-04-2014, 11:00 AM	#12 (permalink)
Read T A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,046 Drives: 11 Nissan 370z BC 6M Rep Power: 18	Did you leave the fob in the car? if so it could run the car battery down (and possibly the fob battery). When my fob died, the car wouldn't recognize it even once it was in the fobgina and I had to have a fr iend go pick up a new battery for the fob. Then she started right up. __________________ 2011 Nissan 370z Black Cherry Sport Pkg - Daily Driver, , 1960 Morgan +4 fun car, 1986 BMW 325ES, 1998 M3 and 1996 Spec Miata - Race Cars SUPPORT TEAM WINSOME RACING - WRL, CHUMP, LEMONS

11-04-2014, 12:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
1slow370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: In the D Posts: 3,732 Drives: v8 74 260z ;) Rep Power: 7251	if it is attempting to start, as in the starter clicks or the motor tries to turn over but fails, ignore all comments about the fob and just go get a new battery __________________ ANSWER PRICE LIST Answers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $0.75 Answers (requiring thought) - - - - $1.25 Answers (correct) - - - - - - - - - - $12.50

11-04-2014, 09:58 PM	#15 (permalink)
white_wolf Base Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 100 Drives: 40th Anni. Ed. 370z Rep Power: 14	My car lives!! Thank you all very much! I went and got a new battery, and she fired right up! =D MJB and falconfixer like this. __________________ 1998 Honda Prelude - Sold (and is sometimes missed) 2006 Infiniti M35 S - Sold (not missed...at all) 2010 Nissan 370z - Current

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