Phantom critical power loss issue followed by intermittent can't start car

NoEfX

Strangest thing happened to me while casually driving home last night.

Here is what happened:
1. Driving in 2nd gear at ~25 mph
2. Loss of all power to wheels, zero throttle response
3. Switch to 3rd gear
4. Sudden and unpredictable power loss every 1 sec
5. Try to restart the engine while rolling
6. Engine fails to start
7. Pull over to side of road and attempt to start car
8. Excessively long clicking sound is made and car fails to start
9. 2 hours later while waiting for a tow truck, attempt to start car
10. Car starts
11. At dealership: No problems found
12. WHY!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!?!??!?!?!?!?!?! ()

Any help is much appreciated!

I know that 2-4 weeks from now this issue is going to come back just like the last problem I had where I took my Z into the dealership because the clutch was sticking. They couldn't replicate my problem and I drove on it for an additional month when suddenly my clutch literally exploded and clutch fluid soaked the engine. I had to get a full clutch job (~$2000).

SouthArk370Z

If that's a fast tick-tick-tick-tick-.. sound, it sounds like the battery or battery connections are bad.

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NoEfX

The tick sound did very much resemble the sound it makes when the battery is hosed. However, I just replaced the battery about 1.5 months ago with a brand new battery from Costco! Those are supposed to be good quality from the research I did

jchammond

yep,sounds like a bad connection.

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POS VETT

Are the clamps on the battery posts tight?

NoEfX

Good question. I'll definitely have to double check those connections when I get her back from the Nissan shop!

NoEfX

I just got word from the mechanic that the battery was securely connected. It was not loose or making poor contact.

barncobob

maybe alternator is not charging enough juice,,car will start those symptoms with marginal/bad battery.. when the car uses all the available juice in battery the cars electronics will fail/falter

need4speed255

That can easily be checked via the voltage guage. Should be around 14 volts.

mults

Just because the battery is new doesn't necessarily mean it is good. I've had new batteries before that lasted a few months and then NADA. Could be a loose plate inside that can't be seen...Keep us posted for what (if anything) is found.

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mults
40th Anniversary 'Z', 312.06HP/260.58TQ (Dynosty EcuTek Tune)
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tonythetiger

having similar issues with few clicking noises, could be battery/alternator/wires...

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