HELP! My Z is BRAINDEAD!

redwolfmendoz

So my brand new 2009 370z has had some trouble starting over the last few months. It's failed to start twice and I have jumped it successfully twice. But last monday night I leave work rather late (10pm). Car started fine, but in the middle of a slight left, my car jolts forward and then my HUD and trip computer flicker and then nothing. I attempt to crank while coasting, nothing.

Called a buddy who swung by with AAA (saved my ***), but AAA couldn't wake up my Z. So I park it and walk home in the rain. Next morning I attempt to jumpstart with another car. 15 minutes, still no pulse. Trip computer, odometer and HUD turn on, cranks but does not start.

So I call this place Tip Top Tow to get it into a dealership (both big mistakes). Flatbed shows up, winch has issues. The tow truck needs a tow truck, tow truck guy loses keys, etc but we get it to the dealership nonetheless.

Once I get there, Service Advisor said it was probably the battery or ECM/ECU, either way they would "proceed under warranty", but that I had to pay for the tow.

WTF?! WARRANTY COVERS TOWING.

I fight it, tow truck driver leaves with paperwork.

Tuesday, service advisor tell me it's not the battery then says he'll call back.

Wednesday service advisor says "there is no measureable oil in the engine" (I'm like "O RLY? Then shouldn't have drivable last 5k miles, not to mention I had my last oil change at the dealer and have paperwork").

Friday, walking to work, the service advisor calls and says they can't get a signal from the ECM/ECU and that it was gonna run me some serious time and coin.

I SWEAR I ALMOST THREW MY PHONE AT A PASSING COP CAR. So pissed.

The ultimatum was he wanted me to authorize an Electronic Wiring Diagnostic for $585 -OR- I could have it towed and not get anything done. Also he stated that the diagnosis may or may not verify that anything is covered by the warranty. Nevertheless, he needed me to decide by end of day Friday because they needed the space. So the decision is this: 1) Tow the car back to my place, and pay for both tows. Car still broken. Or 2) pay for the diagnosis, worst case scenario can't be fixed cheap and I still pay for tow under the warranty exceptions (what is not covered) and still pay for the tows.

BUT THE WARRANTY SAYS ALL LABOR, PARTS AND DIAGNOSTICS ARE COVERED! FML!

So I called Nissan's Consumer Affairs hotline. I'm told someone is looking into may case, awaiting good/bad news today (knowing my luck it's gonna be bad). The only thing that might hurt me is that I have aftermarket Stillen G3 intake kit (which my old mechanic says does not void the warranty).

Anybody out there have any advice? Anything like this happen to anyone else? Should I call the BBB and/or EPA?

Cell

Lemon law that bitch and report the dealer to BBB if they do not want to warranty anything or give Nissan USA a call to see if they can do anything about it.

spearfish25

Absolutely don't have it sent back to you. What are you going to do with a dead Z? Invariably this will be a warrantied issue, regardless of what they say up front. I'd make Nissan USA aware of what's happening as you've done. If a car under warranty has an overt mechanical issue, the consumer doesn't have to pay for diagnostics, regardless of whether they show the problem or not. My wife's Altima had the entire steering column replaced due to a strange sound when turning the wheel. Warranty covered everything and the sound is still there. Your dealer is yanking your johnson.

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2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

daisuke149

honestly for dealers and service / attitude like that you should tell the local news to run a story on them for **** service.

that will get their attention.

LuckyJinx

Like lexus and toyota with the recall? Lady went to the local paper and the world about it. Free maintenance for us.

kenchan

Alternator's ok?

phelan

You're in Los Angeles? Get them to tow it to Fontana Nissan and support a vendor. They'll take care of you.

And tell the dealer to '**** off' when you leave, and never come back. They're full of ****.

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凛 ('Rin') - 2009 Nissan 370Z
With silence comes peace. With peace comes freedom. With freedom comes silence.

TreeSemdyZee

Give the service advisor your lawyer's phone number and see if he'll cover the diagnostics.
I'd go to the service manager, then to the GM and absolutely raise the roof. Warranty=no charge.

optiontrader

Yes - isn't warranty work reimbursed by the manuf? (Please correct me if I'm wrong...)

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40th Anniversary Z - 3M Paint Protection Film, CA Legal Tint! (70/40)

Trips

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chuckd05

wow.. id def take it out of there and bring to a reputable dealer that you know will do the right thing. why would you have to pay a dime??? makes no sense.

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09 370Z 6M PW - FBO Best 1/4 mile = 12.926 @ 109 SOLD -- 08 BMW 135i - FBO 12.1@120mph SOLD -- white 09 e92 335 Coupe Mtech - 11.9 @ 119 :-)

aling lukring

help need legal advise too.my car is now at the dealership because one of the rods is hitting the spark plugs from what they say. and one the service manager pulls me aside and asks if i drift the car or over revved it.i was kind of offended because i think this guy thinks i drive like there no tomorrow. maybe im young and asian but i definitely work my *** off to have nice things and value my belongings. it felt like profiling. my gas mileage is 22.1 mpg city driving and theres still a good amount rubber on my tires with 18000 miles and he told that that those tires are good for 15k. i believe just by looking at that could tell someones driving habits and i have a perfect driving records no accidents or tickets.advise anybody pls?

Carno

Just tell him you don't drift it or over-rev it, then make them fix it.

Cmike2780

OP, don't let the dealer charge you a penny. Make sure all your paper work is in order, especially all maintenance work done by the dealer just in case a "computer error" suddenly erases your record. Good luck and make sure Nissan USA knows the vehicle is dealer maintained in case oil change issues arise.

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[09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R]

NYBladeZ

In my experience, I got the same story initially from the dealer when my airbag light started flashing. The whole we'll diagnose the car, there is a potential charge if it is not under warranty. I was initially perturbed by the whole "not under warranty talk" but I knew it was covered so I signed off confidently. I wouldn't move it, who is to stop them from putting in the computer that it is not a warrantied issue and later have another dealer give you a hard time. Ask yourself if you did anything wrong, abuse etc if not then stay confident the warranty will cover it and you can look at the dealer later and say "I told you so."

Dealerships will grill you for potential reasons to put it on you. Just stick to the facts that you put in your post and you'll be fine, I hope its a quick fix. Remember to void the warranty a dealer must show that your direct actions caused the issue. If your car isn't modded and you don't drive like an *** it'll be ok.

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2009 Carbon Fiber/Red 370z aka Trish: Sports Package, Meisterschaft full catback, Fast Intentions Longtube Headers, Injen Long Tube Intakes, UpRev Tune: Sold
2008 Lotus Exige S Club Racer aka Bella, always leaves me smiling