Help! Not starting after cold night. [video]

[dajw]

Hello people,

 

My 370 isn't starting after four attempts and a cold night. It's been sat for a while but I've given it a couple of drives about to get the battery going, was fine last night.

 

Take a look/listen to the video, I would be very grateful for any suggestions.

 

It now smells of fuel :-/

[dajw]

Here is the video - https://www.dropbox.com/s/c0tqyd3nep5el59/Video%2031-12-2014%2011%2051%2012.mov?dl=0

[nissanman312]

Where's the video dom

[nissanman312]

I see it now

[dajw]

Some details

 

I last drove it on the 24th, until when it was fine.

It sat over Christmas until the 30th. The battery was a little low so I started it and drove about for about fifteen minutes.

I've driven it for a few short journeys yesterday.

 

It has had a hiccup starting in the cold before but never not started, this is the first time it's failed to start.

 

Thanks in advance.

[nissanman312]

I can't view that on my phone

[Randy_Baton]

I'm far from an expert but I've always been told you needed at least a 30 minute drive to recharge a battery. A low battery followed by a few sub 15 minute drives might leave it de charged?

 

Have you tried a jump start?

[choptop]

Ok. Try recharging the battery first.

After charging the battery, if you have not already done, remove both battery connections and leave for 30 minutes then reconnect the terminals. This will get rid of any limp mode faults created by a low battery. Hopefully will start and will be ok. Keep an eye on it then as misfire may return

[Adrian@TORQEN]

Do you have an fuel pressure gauge? How's the pressure? Also try resetting the ECU but removing the ground on the battery and re-connect it. How old is the battery, perhaps needs changing?

[GIXXERUK]

It sounds fuel starved to me, I would check the fuses

Esp. The fuel pump which has a fuse near the battery iirc

Can you hear the pump prime ?

[dajw]

Thanks chaps. You can hear the fuel pump as it's fairly noisy compared to stock. I'll have a go at converting the vid to YouTube. Let's try the jump start bit first.

 

Bah! Things I can do without... :-/

[flyboy]

Not the battery as its turning over fine.

Jump starting wont do anything if its turning over as quickly as it is.

Fuel or ignition timing would be my guess

Just noticed your charged so maybe an air leak on the intercooler side.

I would leave the battery on - dont disconnect and reset the ecu as you need the error codes to find out whats wrong.

Get an OBD code reader or do the pedal dance and post the error codes up so we can see what they are.

Edited December 31, 2014 by flyboy

[Keyser]

I'm going with ignition - battery seems up to the job but she ain't firing on all cylinders - bit of WD on the coil packs may help

[dajw]

OBD code reader shows no faults. I don't have a fuel pressure gauge. On pre-ignition the battery meter shows 11.9v

[dajw]

The ECU failed (stopped sending a spark to one cyl) after the tuning work and was repaired, Si Norris handled it all for me: It was sent away for repair and once back in, he adjusted the tune a little and it has been fabulous until today. Just a couple of hiccups on cold days.

[dajw]

Not the battery as its turning over fine.

Jump starting wont do anything if its turning over as quickly as it is.

Fuel or ignition timing would be my guess

Just noticed your charged so maybe an air leak on the intercooler side.

I would leave the battery on - dont disconnect and reset the ecu as you need the error codes to find out whats wrong.

Get an OBD code reader or do the pedal dance and post the error codes up so we can see what they are.

 

whats the pedal dance?

[dajw]

Do you have an fuel pressure gauge? How's the pressure? Also try resetting the ECU but removing the ground on the battery and re-connect it. How old is the battery, perhaps needs changing?

 

Battery is original. Car made in mid 2012, just up to 38k miles.

[flyboy]

Can you check the spark at each cylinder? Could be a repeat.

[flyboy]

Pedal dance is a way of getting obd codes without a reader, dashboard flashes the codes out to you after a series of inputs using pedals ignition key etc..

[flyboy]

If there are no codes stored then resetting the ecu would be worth a try.

[GMballistic]

whats the pedal dance?

It's a procedure done to re-set the ECU, .....but I don't think that will help you as I'm sure it only works for the 350Z. Well I can't find it in the "370Z Guides" section so I'm assuming it's only for the 350Z.

[dajw]

That's good, as I'm a terrible dancer. All legs and arms everywhere.

[flyboy]

Pedal dance is a way of getting obd codes without a reader, dashboard flashes the codes out to you after a series of inputs using pedals ignition key etc..

These are the 350z dance's

Not sure if they are the same on 370z though.

 

 

350Z ECU Resetting Procedures

 

Please read all instructions and be familiar with them before any attempts.

A stop watch or an analog clock with a second’s needle will be useful.

 

ECU Resetting Procedures

 

Timing is extremely critical. If it is NOT DONE within the specify time, the ECU will not reset and the Check Engine Light (CEL) will continue to remain ON.

A stop watch or an analog clock with a second’s needle will be useful.

 

Operations Procedures

 

1. Confirm that accelerator pedal is fully released, turn ignition switch “ON†and wait 3 seconds.

2. Repeat the following steps (2a and 2b) procedures quickly five times within 5 seconds.

2a. Fully depress the accelerator pedal (HARD).

2b. Fully release the accelerator pedal.

3. Wait 7 seconds, fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for approx. 10 seconds until the CEL starts blinking.

4. Fully release the accelerator pedal (while the CEL is still blinking)

5. Wait about 10 second.

6. Fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for more than 10 seconds.

7. Fully release the accelerator pedal (The CEL light will continue to blink).

8. Turn ignition switch to “OFF†position and now you can start the car. The CEL light should be gone.

 

If the CEL light continues to remain ON, repeat the above steps. Timing is EXTREMELY critical to resetting the ECU.

 

 

Accelerator Pedal Release Position Learning

 

Operation Procedure

1. Make sure that the accelerator pedal is fully released.

2. Turn ignition switch “ON†and wait at least 2 seconds.

3. Turn ignition switch “OFF†wait at least 10 seconds.

4. Turn ignition switch “ON†and wait at least 2 seconds.

5. Turn ignition switch “OFF†wait at least 10 seconds.

 

 

Throttle Valve Closed Position Learning

 

Operation Procedures

1. Make sure that accelerator pedal is fully released.

2. Turn ignition switch is “ONâ€.

3. Turn ignition switch is “OFF†wait at least 10 seconds.

Make sure that the throttle valve moves during above 10 seconds by confirming the operating sound.

 

 

Idle Air Volume Learning (Throttle Position Learning)

It is better to count the time accurately with a clock.

 

Operation Procedures

1. Perform “Accelerator Pedal Released Position Learningâ€.

2. Perform “Throttle Valve Closed Position Learningâ€.

3. Start engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature.

4. Turn ignition switch “OFF†and wait at least 10 seconds.

5. Conform that accelerator pedal is fully released, turn ignition switch “ON†and wait 3 seconds.

6. Repeat the following (steps 7a, 7b) procedures quickly five times within 5 seconds.

7a. Fully depress the accelerator pedal (HARD)

7b. Fully release the accelerator pedal.

8. Wait 7 seconds, fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for approx. 20 seconds until the Check Engine Light (CEL) stops blinking and turned ON.

9. Fully release the accelerator pedal within 3 seconds after the CEL is ON.

10. Start engine and let it idle.

11. Wait 20 seconds.

12. Rev up the engine two or three times and make sure the idle speed and ignition timing are within the specifications.

[dajw]

Wow! Thank you - I've screen grab that.

[dajw]

Ok so the simplest thing and the car is working again. Foot on brake, other foot on gas, press the starter button and RRRRAAAAWMNNMMburbleburbleburble!

 

It sounded a bit flooded. Anyway, next time I'll give it some gas for my next attempt if it is hiccuping.

 

I've to take the car up to Simon Norris soon to look at some of the small fuelling issues I've reported (light load pinking when hot), and this cold weather thing.

 

Phew!