03' G35, Decided to shut off @ a light, now dash lights on?

[HIGHEST1]

First time posting a question here, and i have been referring to this site for some time for any questions i have, and have had no serious problems with my G35 until recently. Now i turn to the experts for some help of my own. Last night I was at a red light, the light turned green, i pushed on the gas (normal, not trying to race or anything) and the car paused and then just turned off and the Slip, VDC, and Service Engine lights came and stayed on. I tried to restart the car, however all it was doing was cranking, and was reluctant to start. I got the car to start again with the same lights turned on, however i now notice that the car has to be cranked for some time before it decides to start. (( what could make this happen? )) My car is automatic and has 106k miles and services have always been performed. I have been crazy busy and am in the process of getting the 100k service done on the car at the dealer ( I know have put it off too long ) Although i haven't yet, can this have anything to do with my new found problem.......i know it's a long shot, but what could the problem be?

I have also noticed that the car is not running @ 100%, it might be just in my head, but the car seems like it has less power...........just sayin!

I run 92 when i fill up, all fluids are golden, just the typical radio blips and shizz. The above problems i speak of from the start have just started happening and i want to know if anyone may have any idea of what is up with my ride.

everyone here seems like cool chill peeps that know their shizzle on all things nissan..... Any help will be appreciated

thanks... EXER

[tollboothwilley]

use a code reader to check for fault codes yet?

could be cam-phase sensor(s) going out. This can happen with that becomes a problem. Could be a crank sensor issue. If this is the case you might have a pending fault code if you scan with a OBDII reader.

With your mileage you should have changed the spark plugs already - if not then do it soon.

I would do a MAF and TB cleaning just to keep it optimal.

[HIGHEST1]

My bad, i made it seem as though the spark plugs have never been changed, yeah they have been changed prior but not since that last time. As far as the codes are concerned, i have not checked into that, however i have made a call a few ago to get my hands on the OBDII reader so i can make sure. I have another question, The car seems to be running ok ( a loss of power is noticeable but nothing huge ) is it ok to drive for the time being, till i get my hands on the reader and parts.........all being done within the week for sure!!!!!!! would that be ok?
I have a feeling it is some sort of sensor, and i dont ever remember having the cam sensors replaced by Infiniti / Nissan dealers where the car has been serviced......... I know i have read some information about the recall only being on G35's made from 01/02-06/02, and my car was produced 08/02. I for sure will be giving Nissan / Infiniti a call and look into this i want to see if they can extend the recall to my car, since i am a very loyal customer!
As far as the MAF & TB cleaning, that has been done prior, however i know i am in need of it once more......thanks for reminding me! good looking out. Oh hey........one more thing, what spark plugs would you recommend for my car? I dont remember what i have now, but i was looking into NGK LFR6AIX-11 Iridium IX Sparkplugs, that are mentioned in the "Tech Pages" bar @ top, however i noticed that when i look them up online on a few sites they have that particular spark plug pegged as not fitting my car????.........Little confused, what would you recommend?

Glad i decided to sign up for this site.......I've been reading through the post's & there are allot of knowledgeable people that make you look at things in a different perspective.

TollBooth, nice to meet you & appreciate any help you can preach bro........thanks again

[HIGHEST1]

O.K. I did the sensor today , and the code ( PO340 Cam Shaft Position Sensor, sensor A or Bank 1) came up . I had an idea it was a sensor just didn't know what one. I am checking Infiniti to see if this is something under the recall due to my car being manufactured very close within the dates that I & they have on record . In the event that this is not under warranty, I was wondering since I have two cam sensors, should I just replace both cam sensors at the same time to avoid later having to do it again later since they are tearing it down anyway? even though no other codes are coming up on the OBDII? Just wondering since it's being done anyway.

[tollboothwilley]

Bank 1 is the drivers side.

Its on the back side of the engine, located on the valve cover.

I would swap the one, and leave the other til it goes...if it does. Just my opinion. Why spend $$ if you dont have to? Unless you don't do the work yourself (its not that hard) then it might make sense to pay someone to do both at the same time


Also, use OEM dont use sensors from autozone/checker

[HIGHEST1]

Soooo. I took the car to the dealer and as it turns out this darn sensor is a hard item to keep in stock and i was going to have to wait, but then a service person at the dealer said to check Pep Boys to see if they can do it. So since i needed it fixed quick i gave them a try and let me say............Nightmare! (ADVISE GO TO DEALER FOR THIS FIX). Pep Boys check it out, i pay for their diagnostic and they find the same thing i did, however they make you purchase the diagnostic even though you know the problem......that's cool i say. So they learn whats wrong with car, get the part and replace sensor. Well i guess their master mechanic was in a crappy mood that day and had a terrible attitude and i pointed it out to them, letting them know that i don't want him all pissed off and working on my car............they replied "I dont think he will do anything to jeopardize his job". Well he replaces the sensor and the same code comes back up. they try to figure whats going on and by this time it is getting late in the day and no time to replace part again. Pep boys decides to keep the new cam sensor in, gives me back my old one and says that since they can not get to it till tomorrow that they wont charge me anything and let me keep the part. Honestly i was shocked and told them, let me get this straight, you tried to fix my car, did what the code said and since the code returned and you dont have time your going to give me the part free and thats it?
So i leave with the same lights on in the dash and start calling every nissan / infiniti dealers as i could to check if they have part. I finally get my hands on the part at a dealer and have it to sent to Cerritos Infiniti where they replace it and tell me they noticed something. They show me the brand new sensor that Pep Boys just installed 12 hours prior and tell me the reason i got the code again after replacing the sensor was because who ever installed the sensor jammed it in there without a care and bent all but one prong inside the brand new sensor, so by this time pissed and i pay the bill and head over to pep boys........Bottom line i gave Pep Boys an ear full and showed them the part their mechanic ruined and showed them what i had to pay to get it fixed and made them reimburse me the difference and thats exactly what they did!

Now that i got the part fixed at the dealer the car runs great!

So in all i had pep boys replace the part for free, screw up the part and even had them pay me for getting the part replaced somewhere else........ha ha, how often does this happen? right?
So i got the entire job done at the dealer parts and labor included $125.00

I want to thank you tollboothwilley for helping me out and i will make sure to check here first from now on when an issue arises.
oh by the way, the dealer only replaced the one sensor, they told me there is no reason to replace the other until it goes out.

[tcoleman]

Thanks for this great thread. I have a 2003 G35 sedan (wifes car) and this very thing happened to her yesterday. I looked this thread up and after reading the good info. took it to Autozone just to get the computer read. YEP, bank 1 cam sensor. I am calling dealership today to find part to replace. Thanks again.

Highest1; how hard was it to replace? Also, bank 1 is driver side or passenger side? I got mixed answers from Infiniti dealership. I was told Bank 1 is right side but is that looking at the engine or out front window?

[HIGHEST1]

@tcoleman.........Yeah, Bank 1 is the passenger side. Once in it should be back to normal! Hope everything works out for you man.

[tollboothwilley]

+1

Some people have had issues with CAM sensors if purchased from anywhere but the dealer. Keep that in mind.

[HIGHEST1]

Yeah...........Real talk on buying this part ONLY from the DEALER tollboothwilley. I go to a specific Infiniti dealership and they quoted me $200 + dollars cheaper than any other dealership (LOYALTY PAYS) , however they didn't have the part . Thats the only reason i went to pepboys to try and get it done.....(and ran into all of their BULLSHYT.......... .........) and plus i was having a hard time getting any other infiniti dealership to sell me the part, but i think because i wasn't getting the job done there for their $525 dollar price . All's well now, i found another cool Infiniti dealership they hooked me up with the part for a good price! and i went to my dealership to get it done then........................BOOYAAAAA car runs great! I couldn't wait so i got it all done in about one day................having the car driving the way it was, was driving me nuts!!!!!!!!!! I felt like a turtle on the road..........Grrrrrrrrr

[tollboothwilley]

Swapping out the Cam phase sensor can take as little as 10 min to do if you know what you're doing. Its a very simple fix...just the cost of the sensors that are pricey.

Glad you got it swapped and everythings running normal again. Drive hard!