HELP! My Z is BRAINDEAD!

redwolfmendoz · 09-27-2010, 04:24 PM

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 · 09-27-2010, 04:42 PM

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.

bigaudiofanat · 09-28-2010, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

This and that is it. Of curse you should of taken it when the problem started. But either way its under warranty.

redwolfmendoz · 09-28-2010, 01:19 PM

Kenchan, the Service Advisor said the alternator was fine along with the battery being fine, this was last Tuesday 09/21/10.

redwolfmendoz · 09-28-2010, 01:22 PM

Update: I got a call from Nissan Consumer affairs. Nice of them to call me and leave a voicemail 2 minutes before end of business day. Anyways, I should be able to get a ruling today.

I did my research on The California Lemon Law. Before I can pull that card, it states that a) there must have been more than one repair attempt by the manufacturer or b) must have been out of service (while at the manufacturer) for at least 30 days. So far they haven't even touched it, because they want to get paid and it's only been 7 days.

This is a sad turn of events for a diehard Nissan fanboy...

spearfish25 · 09-27-2010, 04:53 PM

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.

daisuke149 · 09-27-2010, 04:54 PM

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 · 09-27-2010, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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

kenchan · 09-27-2010, 06:09 PM

Alternator's ok?

phelan · 09-27-2010, 06:15 PM

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 ****.

TreeSemdyZee · 09-27-2010, 07:27 PM

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.

Trips · 09-27-2010, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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 ****.

xdeslitx · 09-27-2010, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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 ****.

+1 for having it towed to Fontana Nissan
Chris the mechanic there is very knowledgeable. He works on the 370s and GTRs.

optiontrader · 09-27-2010, 08:41 PM

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

chuckd05 · 09-27-2010, 09:11 PM

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.

09-27-2010, 04:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
redwolfmendoz Base Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 9 Drives: 09 Nissan 270z Rep Power: 15	HELP! My Z is BRAINDEAD! 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? Last edited by redwolfmendoz; 09-27-2010 at 04:39 PM. Reason: copy/edit*

09-28-2010, 01:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
redwolfmendoz Base Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 9 Drives: 09 Nissan 270z Rep Power: 15	Update: I got a call from Nissan Consumer affairs. Nice of them to call me and leave a voicemail 2 minutes before end of business day. Anyways, I should be able to get a ruling today. I did my research on The California Lemon Law. Before I can pull that card, it states that a) there must have been more than one repair attempt by the manufacturer or b) must have been out of service (while at the manufacturer) for at least 30 days. So far they haven't even touched it, because they want to get paid and it's only been 7 days. This is a sad turn of events for a diehard Nissan fanboy... Last edited by redwolfmendoz; 09-28-2010 at 01:24 PM.

09-27-2010, 04:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1857	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. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

09-27-2010, 06:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
phelan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA Age: 39 Posts: 9,513 Drives: Scoobaroo Rep Power: 3406	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 . __________________ 凛 ('Rin')** - 2009 Nissan 370Z With silence comes peace. With peace comes freedom. With freedom comes silence.

09-27-2010, 08:41 PM	#14 (permalink)
optiontrader Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Smog Hell, SoCal Posts: 595 Drives: 40th Rep Power: 16	Yes - isn't warranty work reimbursed by the manuf? (Please correct me if I'm wrong...) __________________ 40th Anniversary Z - 3M Paint Protection Film, CA Legal Tint! (70/40)

09-27-2010, 04:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cell A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,449 Drives: A Garbage Truck Rep Power: 22	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.

09-28-2010, 01:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
redwolfmendoz Base Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 9 Drives: 09 Nissan 270z Rep Power: 15	Kenchan, the Service Advisor said the alternator was fine along with the battery being fine, this was last Tuesday 09/21/10.

09-27-2010, 04:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
daisuke149 My *** is famous! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 4,849 Drives: 2013 Boss 302 PW Rep Power: 32	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.

09-27-2010, 06:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	Alternator's ok?

09-27-2010, 07:27 PM	#11 (permalink)
TreeSemdyZee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kentuck-IANA Age: 60 Posts: 4,886 Drives: '09 370 & ‘14 Juke Rep Power: 27409	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.

09-27-2010, 09:11 PM	#15 (permalink)
chuckd05 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NY Posts: 2,391 Drives: No longer a Z Rep Power: 20	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. __________________ 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 :-)