Oil Temp Gauge issue

Wiesbaden · 07-01-2020, 10:05 AM

Hi, I have a 2016 370z Sport Tech. Last week went to jump in the car and drove off and realized the oil temp gauge was stuck below at 6 o'clock and the speedo was reading low- like really low going about 40mph and it read 15mph. went back to the house and jumped in my grocery getter and left for work. I took the car to Nissan (I have an extended warranty). The car currently has 27,000 mile on it. Got in it to take it to the dealership the next day and the speedo was now working, but the oil temp gauge was still in-op. At the dealership, I turned the car off in the bay and had to restart it and guess what- the oil temp gauge went back to normal at start up bouncing to top of gauge and then back to the temp it was running after driving it. The dealership said that the only codes were comm codes 1 for tranny comm. The other plain communication codes and could'nt find anything else and the gauge is now back to normal?? They checked the battery also and said battery was fine just not a good brand- cheapy. So, I drive home park it in the garage overnight and go out to start it and same thing- oil temp gauge not working and by the way the speedo had only the one incident and has been working fine. Go back to the dealership and once again I get there,shut the car off and restart it and oil gauge works. The tech thinks its the oil temp gauge going bad. Warranty will cover it, but I'm not sure I want the interior partially torn apart and my service advisor also suggested (he inferred the tech had the same opinion) to drive the car and see what happens since when I shut the car off and restart it"s fine. I was thinking of putting a good battery in it and go from there. Any thoughts of what might be going and recommendations for quality battery would be appreciated. Thanks

Rusty · 07-01-2020, 12:18 PM

Remove the oil temp sensor from the block down by the oil filter. Wipe clean the end of it. Might be some junk on the end. Reinstall, and see what happens.

SouthArk370Z · 07-01-2020, 02:30 PM

Most modern cars, including the 370Z, can act flaky if system voltage is low. Check voltage at several points with and without the engine running and after sitting overnight.

Wiesbaden · 07-01-2020, 02:41 PM

Thanks, will try that. Dealership also said maybe to disconnect the battery and touch neg and positive ends together to discharge the system- capacitive discharge , then hook up the battery and see if that helps. Not to sure, but that's something they can do because I don't feel like really messing up the electrical system. Or is this a normal trouble shooting procedure?? Looked at the Great pictures and wish list of your Z Rusty.

BettyZ · 07-01-2020, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiesbaden

Thanks, will try that. Dealership also said maybe to disconnect the battery and touch neg and positive ends together to discharge the system- capacitive discharge , then hook up the battery and see if that helps. Not to sure, but that's something they can do because I don't feel like really messing up the electrical system. Or is this a normal trouble shooting procedure?? Looked at the Great pictures and wish list of your Z Rusty.

The capacitors will discharge if you unhook the pos/neg on the batt, pump the brakes a few times, and leave it disconnected overnight.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

SouthArk370Z · 07-01-2020, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiesbaden

... Dealership also said maybe to disconnect the battery and touch neg and positive ends together to discharge the system- capacitive discharge ...

No, no, no. Shorting the cables can cause too much current inside the ECM, BCM, TCM, etc, when the capacitors discharge through a dead short. Can probably get away with it 100 times before it bites you in the *** - but why take a chance?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BettyZ

The capacitors will discharge if you unhook the pos/neg on the batt, pump the brakes a few times, and leave it disconnected overnight.

This is the way to do it - it discharges the capacitors through a load (the brake lamps) not a dead short. It only takes stepping on the brake pedal for a few seconds, you don't have to let it sit overnight. Pos or neg post - doesn't have to be both.

Rusty · 07-01-2020, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

No, no, no. Shorting the cables can cause too much current inside the ECM, BCM, TCM, etc, when the capacitors discharge through a dead short. Can probably get away with it 100 times before it bites you in the *** - but why take a chance?

This is the way to do it - it discharges the capacitors through a load (the brake lamps) not a dead short. It only takes stepping on the brake pedal for a few seconds, you don't have to let it sit overnight. Pos or neg post - doesn't have to be both.

Wiesbaden · 07-01-2020, 11:12 PM

Hey, you all are unbelievable. I really appreciate the advice. I absolutely love my Z and don't want anything that I can prevent happening to her. I am able to replace engines, clutches, brakes, distributor's, water pumps, alternators, etc but the electrical/computer components on cars now is quite a bit more in depth then it used to be. Again, Thank you!! Replacing battery in the morning and will do as you guys suggested and see if it fixes the problem.

Rusty · 07-01-2020, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiesbaden

Thanks, will try that. Dealership also said maybe to disconnect the battery and touch neg and positive ends together to discharge the system- capacitive discharge , then hook up the battery and see if that helps. Not to sure, but that's something they can do because I don't feel like really messing up the electrical system. Or is this a normal trouble shooting procedure?? Looked at the Great pictures and wish list of your Z Rusty.

Most ECU's need 10.5 volts to operate. If voltage drops below that, the ECU will shut down to save it's self. If the voltage drops close to that during starting. You may get some strange things happening. This may be one of them.

Thank you.

Wiesbaden · 07-01-2020, 03:34 PM

Thank you again. All of the input is greatly appreciated!!! I'm going to replace the battery with a good one- Red Top if you all think that would be a good choice, do the capacitive discharge and remove/check the oil sensor and go from there. Any other thoughts/knowledge/ideas are always appreciated.
Thank You!!!

Rusty · 07-01-2020, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiesbaden

Thank you again. All of the input is greatly appreciated!!! I'm going to replace the battery with a good one- Red Top if you all think that would be a good choice, do the capacitive discharge and remove/check the oil sensor and go from there. Any other thoughts/knowledge/ideas are always appreciated.
Thank You!!!

Stay away from Optima. They been having quality issues since they got sold.

Here's the battery to get.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...000%7CL3*15597

Spooler · 07-01-2020, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

Stay away from Optima. They been having quality issues since they got sold.

Here's the battery to get.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...000%7CL3*15597

I need a new battery myself. My 2013 is still on the factory battery.

Wiesbaden · 07-01-2020, 03:56 PM

Thanks.

Corsairprime · 07-22-2020, 07:37 AM

Just a thought here. You could get an ODBII reader and sense the temperature without replacing the gauge. See if it really is the gauge or the sensor. You would really only need to get an ODBII dongle and an app for you cell phone to test this out.

I have the OBDLink MX and use Torque pro with the Nissan specific addin software. I can pull all kinds of sensor data including Oil Temp.

I figured its worth a shot before you buy the new gauge.

Wiesbaden · 09-10-2020, 10:37 PM

Just saw the last post and thanks for the input. Well guess what, no problems since replacing battery with pricey good one and discharging system as was posted on this thread-the safe way. Just found a 350z with 38,000 orig miles , no accidents, 2 owners, Florida car, but dealer wants $15,500 for it. Got him down to $13,300, but it seems like too much and it's auto, really looking towards the manual. Have'nt found one in any where near this shape. They're usually totally ragged out. Thing is they just got the car in on trade and I happened upon it while walking the back lot and saw it (my car was in for an oil change btw) and I usually take a walk back there to see if they have any goodies back there. Any thoughts?

07-01-2020, 10:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
Wiesbaden Base Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: FL Posts: 20 Drives: 2016 370z Rep Power: 3361	Oil Temp Gauge issue Hi, I have a 2016 370z Sport Tech. Last week went to jump in the car and drove off and realized the oil temp gauge was stuck below at 6 o'clock and the speedo was reading low- like really low going about 40mph and it read 15mph. went back to the house and jumped in my grocery getter and left for work. I took the car to Nissan (I have an extended warranty). The car currently has 27,000 mile on it. Got in it to take it to the dealership the next day and the speedo was now working, but the oil temp gauge was still in-op. At the dealership, I turned the car off in the bay and had to restart it and guess what- the oil temp gauge went back to normal at start up bouncing to top of gauge and then back to the temp it was running after driving it. The dealership said that the only codes were comm codes 1 for tranny comm. The other plain communication codes and could'nt find anything else and the gauge is now back to normal?? They checked the battery also and said battery was fine just not a good brand- cheapy. So, I drive home park it in the garage overnight and go out to start it and same thing- oil temp gauge not working and by the way the speedo had only the one incident and has been working fine. Go back to the dealership and once again I get there,shut the car off and restart it and oil gauge works. The tech thinks its the oil temp gauge going bad. Warranty will cover it, but I'm not sure I want the interior partially torn apart and my service advisor also suggested (he inferred the tech had the same opinion) to drive the car and see what happens since when I shut the car off and restart it"s fine. I was thinking of putting a good battery in it and go from there. Any thoughts of what might be going and recommendations for quality battery would be appreciated. Thanks

07-01-2020, 12:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Rusty Ronin Samurai - Assassin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 69 Posts: 35,351 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684438	Remove the oil temp sensor from the block down by the oil filter. Wipe clean the end of it. Might be some junk on the end. Reinstall, and see what happens. Spartan 1771 and Wiesbaden like this. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

07-01-2020, 02:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	Most modern cars, including the 370Z, can act flaky if system voltage is low. Check voltage at several points with and without the engine running and after sitting overnight. BettyZ and Wiesbaden like this. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

07-01-2020, 02:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
Wiesbaden Base Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: FL Posts: 20 Drives: 2016 370z Rep Power: 3361	Thanks, will try that. Dealership also said maybe to disconnect the battery and touch neg and positive ends together to discharge the system- capacitive discharge , then hook up the battery and see if that helps. Not to sure, but that's something they can do because I don't feel like really messing up the electrical system. Or is this a normal trouble shooting procedure?? Looked at the Great pictures and wish list of your Z Rusty. Rusty likes this.

07-01-2020, 11:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
Wiesbaden Base Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: FL Posts: 20 Drives: 2016 370z Rep Power: 3361	Hey, you all are unbelievable. I really appreciate the advice. I absolutely love my Z and don't want anything that I can prevent happening to her. I am able to replace engines, clutches, brakes, distributor's, water pumps, alternators, etc but the electrical/computer components on cars now is quite a bit more in depth then it used to be. Again, Thank you!! Replacing battery in the morning and will do as you guys suggested and see if it fixes the problem. Spartan 1771 and Rusty like this.

07-01-2020, 03:34 PM	#10 (permalink)
Wiesbaden Base Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: FL Posts: 20 Drives: 2016 370z Rep Power: 3361	Thank you again. All of the input is greatly appreciated!!! I'm going to replace the battery with a good one- Red Top if you all think that would be a good choice, do the capacitive discharge and remove/check the oil sensor and go from there. Any other thoughts/knowledge/ideas are always appreciated. Thank You!!! sportsman2003 likes this.

07-01-2020, 03:56 PM	#13 (permalink)
Wiesbaden Base Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: FL Posts: 20 Drives: 2016 370z Rep Power: 3361	Thanks.

07-22-2020, 07:37 AM	#14 (permalink)
Corsairprime Base Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 215 Drives: 14 370Z Nismo GM 6MT Rep Power: 3545	Just a thought here. You could get an ODBII reader and sense the temperature without replacing the gauge. See if it really is the gauge or the sensor. You would really only need to get an ODBII dongle and an app for you cell phone to test this out. I have the OBDLink MX and use Torque pro with the Nissan specific addin software. I can pull all kinds of sensor data including Oil Temp. I figured its worth a shot before you buy the new gauge. __________________ Corsairprime 2014 Nismo #462, GunMetal Grey, GT-R Start Button, AAM S-Line/R-Line intake and S-Line exhaust, Berk HFCs, Osiris Tuned at JoTech

09-10-2020, 10:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
Wiesbaden Base Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: FL Posts: 20 Drives: 2016 370z Rep Power: 3361	Just saw the last post and thanks for the input. Well guess what, no problems since replacing battery with pricey good one and discharging system as was posted on this thread-the safe way. Just found a 350z with 38,000 orig miles , no accidents, 2 owners, Florida car, but dealer wants $15,500 for it. Got him down to $13,300, but it seems like too much and it's auto, really looking towards the manual. Have'nt found one in any where near this shape. They're usually totally ragged out. Thing is they just got the car in on trade and I happened upon it while walking the back lot and saw it (my car was in for an oil change btw) and I usually take a walk back there to see if they have any goodies back there. Any thoughts?

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