Wavering Idle and Dropping Voltage

earwicker7 · 08-25-2010, 04:36 PM

I've been having a weird problem over the last few weeks. First off, there have been a few times where the idle wavers. Both times that it has been really noticeable, the oil temp was around 220, which isn't out of line to the best of my knowledge... I was driving fast, but not abusing the car. I pulled up to a drive-through, and while in park, I noticed the idle wasn't staying constant. It would go back and forth between 700 and 900 rpm, switching every second or so, almost like someone was tapping the accelerator in rhythm. This was only in park... if I kept it in gear with the brakes on, it stays constant at around 600 rpm. I was due for a 3 month service, so I went ahead and had them look at it... of course, they found nothing (they never do lol).

Anyways, that was over the weekend. I don't know if this is related, but starting yesterday, when I come to a complete stop (not in park, but just using the brakes), I often notice the voltmeter dropping from 14V to 13V. It only happens for about a second after I come to a stop, then it goes back to 14V. This has never happened before yesterday.

Does anyone know if these two are related, and what it might be?

dad · 08-25-2010, 05:01 PM

Alternator-turn on your head lites, after dark, watch to see if they fluctuate , dash lights should do the same!

6MT · 08-26-2010, 02:56 PM

Kind of sounds like the voltage regulator is having issues.

earwicker7 · 08-26-2010, 04:05 PM

It's going in for another look on Saturday.

abgyak · 08-28-2010, 08:43 PM

Watching closely to the thread... Im experiencing the same problem with the voltmeter... 13-14... 14-13....

SoCal 370Z · 08-28-2010, 10:27 PM

Have you checked your factory battery lately? The 370Z does not come with a maintenance-free battery.

fullmonty · 08-28-2010, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

Have you checked your factory battery lately? The 370Z does not come with a maintenance-free battery.

This I didn't know. Any reason why they gave us that from the factory?

SoCal 370Z · 08-28-2010, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullmonty

This I didn't know. Any reason why they gave us that from the factory?

Most likely: cost savings.

fullmonty · 08-28-2010, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

Most likely: cost savings.

Nice to see Nissan cheaping out. Bet a Mazda comes with a grade A battery

SoCal 370Z · 08-28-2010, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullmonty

Nice to see Nissan cheaping out. Bet a Mazda comes with a grade A battery

I'm hard on Nissan, when they are truly too cheap, but a battery, and what you get for your money regarding a 370Z, is not a bad trade-off. Most owners have a brand preference with batteries these days anyway, as they do their selection of gasoline and oil brands. Just spark-up a conversion on Optima batteries and you'll find the love 'em / hate 'em crowd in short order.

earwicker7 · 08-30-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

Have you checked your factory battery lately? The 370Z does not come with a maintenance-free battery.

Yeah, I check it at least every other time I fill up the tank.

Corbitt · 08-30-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

Have you checked your factory battery lately? The 370Z does not come with a maintenance-free battery.

Ok, so I'm going to already say that I have no idea how to check this type of battery. I've never had one that required maintenance. I popped the hood last night to check it out, and I assume that we can't check the levels by looking at the side of the battery (I felt like I could do this if I took the battery out of the car, otherwise too much stuff in the way). So my question is...how do you read the 2nd part of this diagram? When I unscrewed a couple of the caps, I noticed some water in there, but how do I know if its enough? How can I tell if it is "full"? On the 2nd part of that diagram is the view looking down into it or are they showing us what it would look like from the side?

Help!

earwicker7 · 08-30-2010, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corbitt

Ok, so I'm going to already say that I have no idea how to check this type of battery. I've never had one that required maintenance. I popped the hood last night to check it out, and I assume that we can't check the levels by looking at the side of the battery (I felt like I could do this if I took the battery out of the car, otherwise too much stuff in the way). So my question is...how do you read the 2nd part of this diagram? When I unscrewed a couple of the caps, I noticed some water in there, but how do I know if its enough? How can I tell if it is "full"? On the 2nd part of that diagram is the view looking down into it or are they showing us what it would look like from the side?

Help!

Unsrew the cover (there are three for each terminal). Get a tiny flashlight and point it towards the water. There are some straight lines below the surface of the water. There are two metal "prongs" (for lack of a better word) which should be touching the water; if there is enough water, the lines will "bend" in the area around them. If the lines look straight, you need to add DISTILLED water; I use a medicine dropper.

Javier · 05-04-2020, 02:26 AM

I've had my 'Z' for 11 years, I'm a avionics technician in the aviation business for 37 years. For those who do not know what a avionics technician is, I work on all of the electrical and navigation system of an aircraft. Battery voltage on my 2009 "Z" never fluctuated "NOT EVEN A TWICH", in 11 years. it stayed at 14.4 volts no matter what you turned on in the car. My problem started when my battery crapped out on march 2020, a week later the alternator went out and like I have never done before went to an auto parts store and replaced with one of there's. The battery voltage and idle drop started soon after. Returned the alternator to the auto parts store got another one, no joy. Returned the battery and got another one again no joy and problem persists. Purchased a brand new alternator from Nissan $650 dollars later no joy. Replaced battery with brand new high output gel battery $450 dollars later and still no joy. so for those that think its a battery, alternator, and yes by the way I did purchase two new MAS sensor from Nissan and still nothing. Its none of the above. The battery voltage drop should be so slight when operating normal that you will never even notice it ever. There aren't enough system draw in a car to overcome a 120 amp alternator. I have contacted Nissan and they are mute about this issue. If someone comes up with a fix please advise.

markesc · 05-13-2020, 12:20 PM

Wow... now that's a nightmare!!

Any updates?

I'm now looking at toyota/lexus products...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Javier

I've had my 'Z' for 11 years, I'm a avionics technician in the aviation business for 37 years. For those who do not know what a avionics technician is, I work on all of the electrical and navigation system of an aircraft. Battery voltage on my 2009 "Z" never fluctuated "NOT EVEN A TWICH", in 11 years. it stayed at 14.4 volts no matter what you turned on in the car. My problem started when my battery crapped out on march 2020, a week later the alternator went out and like I have never done before went to an auto parts store and replaced with one of there's. The battery voltage and idle drop started soon after. Returned the alternator to the auto parts store got another one, no joy. Returned the battery and got another one again no joy and problem persists. Purchased a brand new alternator from Nissan $650 dollars later no joy. Replaced battery with brand new high output gel battery $450 dollars later and still no joy. so for those that think its a battery, alternator, and yes by the way I did purchase two new MAS sensor from Nissan and still nothing. Its none of the above. The battery voltage drop should be so slight when operating normal that you will never even notice it ever. There aren't enough system draw in a car to overcome a 120 amp alternator. I have contacted Nissan and they are mute about this issue. If someone comes up with a fix please advise.

08-25-2010, 04:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
earwicker7 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 265 Drives: 09 370Z (maxed out) Rep Power: 16	Wavering Idle and Dropping Voltage I've been having a weird problem over the last few weeks. First off, there have been a few times where the idle wavers. Both times that it has been really noticeable, the oil temp was around 220, which isn't out of line to the best of my knowledge... I was driving fast, but not abusing the car. I pulled up to a drive-through, and while in park, I noticed the idle wasn't staying constant. It would go back and forth between 700 and 900 rpm, switching every second or so, almost like someone was tapping the accelerator in rhythm. This was only in park... if I kept it in gear with the brakes on, it stays constant at around 600 rpm. I was due for a 3 month service, so I went ahead and had them look at it... of course, they found nothing (they never do lol). Anyways, that was over the weekend. I don't know if this is related, but starting yesterday, when I come to a complete stop (not in park, but just using the brakes), I often notice the voltmeter dropping from 14V to 13V. It only happens for about a second after I come to a stop, then it goes back to 14V. This has never happened before yesterday. Does anyone know if these two are related, and what it might be? __________________ 2009 Magnetic Black 370Z with Touring, Sports and Navigation Packages--Fast Intentions CBE with 12" Resonators/Carbon Fiber Mufflers and LTH--Stillen G3 Cold Air Intakes, Underdrive Pulley and Grounding Kit--Uprev Tune

08-25-2010, 05:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
dad Grand Prix of Endurance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,476 Drives: Mulsanne Straight Rep Power: 26	Alternator-turn on your head lites, after dark, watch to see if they fluctuate , dash lights should do the same! __________________ We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

08-26-2010, 02:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
6MT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: ITU Zone 2 Posts: 22,459 Drives: Reliant Robin Rep Power: 1790	Kind of sounds like the voltage regulator is having issues. __________________ Andrew 2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold 2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D

08-26-2010, 04:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
earwicker7 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 265 Drives: 09 370Z (maxed out) Rep Power: 16	It's going in for another look on Saturday. __________________ 2009 Magnetic Black 370Z with Touring, Sports and Navigation Packages--Fast Intentions CBE with 12" Resonators/Carbon Fiber Mufflers and LTH--Stillen G3 Cold Air Intakes, Underdrive Pulley and Grounding Kit--Uprev Tune

08-28-2010, 08:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
abgyak Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brunei Darussalam Posts: 378 Drives: 370z - 260z - 280zx Rep Power: 16	Watching closely to the thread... Im experiencing the same problem with the voltmeter... 13-14... 14-13.... __________________ Brunei Darussalam: Abode Of Peace

08-28-2010, 10:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
SoCal 370Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: US of A Posts: 2,842 Drives: Answers Rep Power: 34	Have you checked your factory battery lately? The 370Z does not come with a maintenance-free battery. ZiGMoN and Initial Z like this. __________________ ( Click to show/hide ) Why I NEVER say NO to the Panda Lou Fusz!!!

05-04-2020, 02:26 AM	#14 (permalink)
Javier Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 40 Drives: 09 nissan 370z Rep Power: 10139	Battery voltage drop along with idle only at idle I've had my 'Z' for 11 years, I'm a avionics technician in the aviation business for 37 years. For those who do not know what a avionics technician is, I work on all of the electrical and navigation system of an aircraft. Battery voltage on my 2009 "Z" never fluctuated "NOT EVEN A TWICH", in 11 years. it stayed at 14.4 volts no matter what you turned on in the car. My problem started when my battery crapped out on march 2020, a week later the alternator went out and like I have never done before went to an auto parts store and replaced with one of there's. The battery voltage and idle drop started soon after. Returned the alternator to the auto parts store got another one, no joy. Returned the battery and got another one again no joy and problem persists. Purchased a brand new alternator from Nissan $650 dollars later no joy. Replaced battery with brand new high output gel battery $450 dollars later and still no joy. so for those that think its a battery, alternator, and yes by the way I did purchase two new MAS sensor from Nissan and still nothing. Its none of the above. The battery voltage drop should be so slight when operating normal that you will never even notice it ever. There aren't enough system draw in a car to overcome a 120 amp alternator. I have contacted Nissan and they are mute about this issue. If someone comes up with a fix please advise.

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