My 1995 Z won't Start-Again!!! Please Help

Nissan 300ZX technical discussion forum: Maintenance, performance, installations, modifications, how-to's and troubleshooting.
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flawlesswayz20
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2012 5:02 pm
Car: 1995 300zx N/A

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Hey everyone, (1995 2 door coupe, 5 spd.)
So 2 days ago i was leaving work. Started my Z, put it in reverse and it just stalled out. I tried to restart it and nothing.No dash lights or anything. Finally after i sat there for a minute or two, it fired right back up. Yesterday i woke up to go to work, put the key in the ignition, and nothing. So here i am stuck again. Let me give you a run down of whats going on.
- I put the car on trickle charge over night. So i have a full battery.
- I just got the battery tested for bad cells and nothing. So we can rule out battery.
- NOT the neutral safety switch.

- When i put the key in the ignition, i hear the ding but no dash lights. EXECEPT the airbag light comes on ( :wtf2: weird).( i also noticed on the day it died, that the airbag light was flashing on and off). I have power to my interior lights only for a few seconds, then they turn off. The ding from the ignition also gets LOWER and lower until eventually all power is gone. If i try to jump start the car, all i get is a quick "click" from the ignition. Thats it. Im so lost right now. I dont understand how the battery is fully charged, yet all the power just fades out. I was thinking either the Igniton switch or starter relay. But i was wondering if any of these 2 would cause all the power to be lost. Any information would be helpful. I need her back on the street asap so i can stop listening to my wife tell me "I TOLD YOU SO" :crazy: . Thanks everyone.


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Ace2cool
Posts: 11650
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 5:21 pm
Car: 1991 Nissan 300ZX TT
1966 Datsun Fairlady 1600
2005 Suzuki GSX-R 600
1974 Honda CB550 Four
2009 Ford F150 Lariat
Location: Murfreesboro, TN

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Still sounds like a bad battery to me. Could also be alternator, but not likely with the symptoms you're describing. 100% sounds like a bad battery. I had a battery test good in my 2+2, but still did the exact same thing yours is doing.

Also, tech forum for tech posts.

BlackWidowZ
Posts: 310
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2013 8:35 am
Car: Black 93 300zx 2+2

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I'm having my own problems. yours sounds like a couple different things are going on. But the way you are describing the battery sounds like its dead. Ya it may charge up and they tell you its good. But ability to charge and hold a charge are 2 very different things from experience of car batteries. You also sounds like you have a alternator problem. That isn't necessary for starting the car. But if your alternator is bad or partially bad its not going to charge the battery while the car is running and it will also cause your car to stall out and your battery will drain.. You need a new battery then come back and tell us if its holding a charge. and the alternator is charging it.

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Ace2cool
Posts: 11650
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 5:21 pm
Car: 1991 Nissan 300ZX TT
1966 Datsun Fairlady 1600
2005 Suzuki GSX-R 600
1974 Honda CB550 Four
2009 Ford F150 Lariat
Location: Murfreesboro, TN

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If you have access to a multimeter, check voltage across the battery terminals. With everything off, should be about 12V. With the engine running, should read about 14.2V.

Other than that, check fuses and fusible links.

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flawlesswayz20
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2012 5:02 pm
Car: 1995 300zx N/A

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Thanks guys.. im going to pick up a new battery this weekend. I'll keep you updated. Appreciate the help

Trimble Epic
Posts: 155
Joined: Sun Mar 10, 2013 5:58 pm
Car: White/Ivory 93 300zx NA 2+2 (RIP)

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I've had a car refuse to start before because the cable clamp was corroded.. needed to use one of those battery brushes on the cable and the post.. I felt so stupid...

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t.mcginley.jr
Posts: 1547
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2012 5:50 am
Car: 2002 Nissan Altima SE 3.5
1990 Nissan 300ZX NA 2+0
1966 Ford Mustang
Location: New Jersey, USA

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If you had another car (such as gf/wife's) I would say just swap it out to see if it clears up the problems and then go get a new one. But your already on your way so good luck!

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flawlesswayz20
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2012 5:02 pm
Car: 1995 300zx N/A

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Hey Everyone,
So i got a new battery on Saturday. So far so good. The car fired right up and has been since. Im hoping and praying its not my alternator. I guess we'll find out shortly. Besides that, i went to the store last night and noticed my dash lights are not working now. I thought i may have blew a fuse, but it was fine. Any ideas? i pressed the illumi button on the right side of the steering wheel up, but still no luck. All the headlights and tail lights are fine. My clock and security light also come on. Just not the illumi were the speedometer is. THanks dudes
p.s. i got a free battery from walmart. they didnt even check if it was bad, they just gave me a new one :chuckle:

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Ace2cool
Posts: 11650
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 5:21 pm
Car: 1991 Nissan 300ZX TT
1966 Datsun Fairlady 1600
2005 Suzuki GSX-R 600
1974 Honda CB550 Four
2009 Ford F150 Lariat
Location: Murfreesboro, TN

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"Theft Room L" in the engine bay fuse compartment.

I'll bet your dome light and radio don't work either and you just didn't notice.

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flawlesswayz20
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2012 5:02 pm
Car: 1995 300zx N/A

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My radio and dome light both work. Just not the dash lights

User avatar
Ace2cool
Posts: 11650
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 5:21 pm
Car: 1991 Nissan 300ZX TT
1966 Datsun Fairlady 1600
2005 Suzuki GSX-R 600
1974 Honda CB550 Four
2009 Ford F150 Lariat
Location: Murfreesboro, TN

Post

Possibly bad light. Be a good excuse to swap to LED's.


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