2006 Infiniti M35 won't start

[dariodani]

Need help!...

Recently I had a problem were my car wouldn't start. The car cranked but no signs of starting.
Checked that gas was getting to the injectors fine.
removed on spark plug and notice it was very wet and did not look so good.
Removed the other 5 and with them out, I cranked the engine to remove anything that had accumulated there.
Purchased New spark plug, got them on and BINGO! The car started.

Here is where the real problem started.
None of the gauges in the cluster were working and I started looking for problems.
Could not see anything wrong and before going crazy, I made a call to the Infinity Service department.
The tech suggested to remove the cluster and look for any bad connections of maybe even something disconnected.
After Checking that, I put everything back and went to start the car. Crank, no signs of wanting to start.
Checked all fuses and everything was good, no burned fuses

Now I went to check if the coils were getting spark and dead! nothing happening at the coil, no voltage.
Replace the Crankshaft and camshafts. No change.

I am no expert and I am curious if removing the cluster can have caused the problem? Is there some type of protection that cuts power to the coils?

I am out of ideas. Can't move the car and I am afraid what it would cost for the dealer to look for this problem

The security LED light is blinking when the ignition is in the off position.

Can this in any way be linked to the speedometer? Gauges are not working but that is not the important issue at this moment.

BTW... My Mickey Mouse scanner gave me errors U1000 and U1001.. The answers I found in the internet left me dumb founded..

Thanks!

[Ilya]

Welcome to the forum. I'm sure our more senior members will be able to give you some more steps...but is it possible your BCM is acting up?

[Costee]

The CAN codes (U1000, etc) can be exasperating. Like electricity they are imaginary, and could be triggered off by sundry things--grounds, fuses, modules, etc. In this case I'm suspecting some malfunction relating to the unified meter and a/c amp and which also controls the combination meter housing the gauges. Of course your MM scanner can do no more than pick the universal codes as it did pull the CAN codes you posted. A high-end tool would scan the unified meter and likely come up with B2202--Meter Communication Circuit (Malfunction is detected in communication between combination meter and unified meter and A/C amp). I'm afraid the dealer or some mechanic would have to be invited into this issue. Let me refer you to two TSBs nonetheless:ITB06-004a; ITB13-006. Good luck.

[dariodani]

Thank you Costee.
So, my car no starting has nothing to do with the fact that I removed the cluster? and put it back?

I mean! I didn't start the car before I did it but the car was starting fine the day before, no issues other than the gauges.

But like I say! I had just gotten the car running the day before and it was starting with no problem and running smooth. The problem I fixed was an issue with spark plugs, now I have an issue with no voltage going to the coils the next day, after I removed the cluster.

I guess I have to have the car hooked up to a real computer that can pinpoint the problem. I would have to get the car towed since my car is in my home.. Thank you for the replay..

[dariodani]

The one question I would like to get an answer on is: Does removing the cluster have anything to do with the car not starting? Some protection circuit? Anything? Or is it just a coincidence that the cars refuse to start after I did that?

[dariodani]

Another question I have is: When checking the fuses by the firewall, only a couple of them show active, the others show nothing, positive or negative, with the ignition on or off, nothing on most of them. Nothing to to worry about there?

[Costee]

The one question I would like to get an answer on is: Does removing the cluster have anything to do with the car not starting? Some protection circuit? Anything? Or is it just a coincidence that the cars refuse to start after I did that?

I think that was some coincidence. The issue was certainly brewing, the cluster removal was kind of the last straw that broke the camel's back.
As for the fuses can't say much on that, beyond my ken.
Btw, this issue is somewhat common in the 6th Gen Maxima from a breech caused by a coin dropping into unified meter through the info display screen.

[dariodani]

LOL.. You still left me confuse and unclear. You say "I think", meaning not sure. Also when you say the last straw that broke the camel's back, gives indication that there might be a connection..

I need to be certain.

Nevertheless, Thank you for the help, the support. I do appreciate any information..

[Costee]

Sorry if I sound ambiguous. The point I'm making is that the cluster cannot shut down the car by itself, it's the unified meter that is responsible for that.

[dariodani]

Got you now... My head is spinning with all this computer stuff. Trying to figure out what my next step will be and the less costly route is,,, Looks to me that ll this technical stuff is way beyond what I can't handle.. Let take a look at my account and see what I have left before I start.

Thank you again..

[Costee]

I understand. The first thing should be getting it diagnosed. You should be informed of all error codes pulled. If the opportunity presents itself post them here.
Again, Good luck.

[dariodani]

Thank you again. Sure, I will post the findings and what it took to repair,,

[dariodani]

Realized that my mind has been on the issue with the speedometer but my real problem is that I have no juice on the coils. Replaced all Cam and Crankshaft sensors with no change.

Where would you start looking for that problem? The coils current or vantage come from where. How do I trace backwards to the source of the current.

Those error codes I mention before I got them because I hooked up a computer to see if it would tell me anything but I did no have a check engine or anything.

Where would you start to troubleshoot current not coming to the coils?

Looking around I came across this "You can have voltage at the white/blue wire, but no signal from the the ECM which means not spark ". Could the ECM causing the problem? Is there a way to test the ECM? If I buy a new ECM! Does it have to be programmed to the car?... I know! Too many questions!..

[EdBwoy]

Some background questions:
- How long have you had the vehicle for?
- Any events like storms, flooding, or even mice recently?
- Did you use NGK sparkplugs and gap them to correct spec? Apart from being wet, did anything else stand out about the old plugs?
- Do your steering wheel mounted controls (volume, source selection, cruise control, horn etc) still work?


I'll put most of my money on a bad ECM.
It is the common denominator for what you're facing. It is what sends signal to the coilpacks to fire. Having one coilpack not firing is easy-ish to diagnose. Move coilpacks around, play with sparkplugs, then start probing wires before the coilpack.
However, your instrument cluster also going out for no reason tells me it's not getting signal. But I think you should still be able to see some engine control codes, ya know, unless the ECU isn't sending any codes out.
It's located behind/beside the glovebox so I would consider disconnecting the big J connector and reconnecting it. Electronics are weird sometimes. Also sniff around for the smell of burnt electronics.


In an alternate universe I would have guessed bad ground/IPDM issues (the basic transmission of current) as well although you haven't mentioned a single event that would short something out. But, it doesn't hurt to check.
1. Fuses in the driver footwell area kickpanel. We're mostly concerned about the meter fuse here (gauge cluster issue) and also check the injector one (because why not)


2. Fuses under the hood. The ignition & ECCS fuse is what I would check for your spark issue. In previous Nissans this engine ECCS has been a fusible link, so I would recommend checking the FSM to see what those other components on the IPDM are.

[dariodani]

HI EdBway! thank you for your replay.
I purchased the recently and having issues already.
I had no idea that fuse box existed behind the battery. WOW! great place!. I tell you. I have an Acura RL 2006 and these two cars do not compare! Acura beats infinity by a land slide. That is a gem! I don't know why I purchase this car, I never cared much for Nissan but since I see so many people like Infiniti, I fell for it.

Check all fuses there and they are all good. I also went back and tested for current on the coil and what I get is Voltage on the Blue and white and negative on the other two. That is with the ignition on. There is nothing there with the ignition off.

Tried removing all plugs and plugging them back looking for false connection but still cranks with no signs of wanting to start.

BTW.. there is this little black box behind the cluster with some lights, It looks after market. There is a label on it that says to have it pointing up towards the sky. Any idea what that might be?

Al fuses are good, all plugs look good everything looks good. The only thing that don't look good is that the car won't start.. Thank you for pointing out that fuse box behind the battery. I was about to ask you where it was.. LOL

[dariodani]

Someone told me that the little black box I mentioned above is installed by dealers to track the car if the need to repo it.

[Costee]

Interesting dimension. Don't trackers shut down cars?

[EdBwoy]

BTW.. there is this little black box behind the cluster with some lights, It looks after market. There is a label on it that says to have it pointing up towards the sky. Any idea what that might be?

Got pictures?

[dariodani]

BTW.. there is this little black box behind the cluster with some lights, It looks after market. There is a label on it that says to have it pointing up towards the sky. Any idea what that might be?

Got pictures?

https://www.positionlogic.com/hs-fs/hub ... TT9200.jpg

It's tracking device.... Good to know.

[dariodani]

Give up!.. Taking it tomorrow for a diagnose... Than you guys for trying... Will post result when I have them.

[EdBwoy]

Updates?