NEED IMMEDIATE HELP:::car won't start

[infinig03]

just replaced both window motors today and when i went to fire it up to back out of the garage the damn thing won't start. noticed that the red alarm led is blinking. i hit unlock on the key fob 100 times and then tried putting the key in the door and unlocking. the ignition immobilizer will not deactivate! i have no clue what happened here. i already tried disconnecting the battery and reconnecting. doesn't work. how do i reset or disable the ignition immobilizer altogether..

[zozoka1212]

I have no clue. I would call the dealer. See if they can help. If you disconnect the battery and you put your key in the ignition and turn on ACC position and connect the battery maybe work if you can do it. It might be a stupid idea.

zozo

[infinig03]

is that suggestion based on anything or did you just kind of pull it out of your a$$? j/k friend

[SteveTheTech]

Hey there and Welcome to NICO!

So what exactly happens when you turn the key?Do the lights and radio turn on? There maybe something unplugged or a very low battery, I just need a little more info before telling you what to do next.

If you security light is blinking that means the system is still on and not activated. When the NATS system locks you out the light near the clock is on steady.

There is no way to disable the system, hence the security function.

[infinig03]

thanks for the welcome! the lights, radio, instrument cluster all turn on. i tried jumping it off my friend's car just for the hell of it and no luck. when i try to crank it, it makes a quick noise like it's going to start but then cuts.

BTW, i am correct in thinking the alarm led SHOULD NOT be blinking when the alarm is disarmed? correct? the light has never come on solid for me. it's always blinking .

[SteveTheTech]

Since you are replacing the window motors I am going to wager a guess and say you have an 03-04 coupe?

I'm going to look into it and let you know the specifics of the blinking light, I will pass on my findings.

Here is some simple security system information.

If the system is tripped the car will crank (starter will engage and turn over) but the fuel system is not supplying fuel pressure. So if you are not getting cranking from the starter just a click or slow almost crank, you would most likely have either high resistance in the power supply wire to the starter or a internally failed starter.

[SteveTheTech]

I need you to check the operation of your door locks make sure that they work from both the buttons on the window switch and the remote/s.

Let me know what you find and we can try to fix your security light issue.

[infinig03]

sorry, yea it is a 2003 coupe. all of the buttons work. it's just like you say. when you try to start it, it just sort of "clicks" and doesnt crank

edit:: that's weird. it shows my sig in the first post but not the replies?

[SteveTheTech]

Yep it's a starter issue, either corrosion on/in/or around the starter supply wire or the starter itself has failed. I would get it checked out if you have a warranty.

Your sig might not be showing up bc there is a box to the right of the reply window that has check marks. The top one if it is not checked it will not attach your signiture. I missed it personally but I was close in my guess.

PS if you need to start it you might be able to get it to crank and start by lightly striking the starter with something plastic while cranking the engine. If you are curious and do not know this trick let me know and I can give you specific directions.

Good luckSteve

[tollboothwilley]

that's weird. it shows my sig in the first post but not the replies?

this is a new thing...it will only show sig in the first post of a thread.

That way you don't have to wait for the page to load..ie dialup/cell phone users

[SteveTheTech]

Really huh I didn't know that. Guess I need a signature. I don't know what I would pick though.

Well I stand corrected, although I have the option to select my sig now. It's a good idea thought and it makes sense.

[infinig03]

edit:: no warranty here

starter issue, huh? rats. is the corrosion something i could correct or is the starter more than likely going to need replacing? and that would be causing the alarm led to flash as well? this whole thing is giving me a headache.

[telcoman]

edit:: no warranty here

starter issue, huh? rats. is the corrosion something i could correct or is the starter more than likely going to need replacing? and that would be causing the alarm led to flash as well? this whole thing is giving me a headache.

I'm wondering if you have two problems?

How old is your battery?

It just seems odd to me that a starter issue began after replacing window motors?

The easiest first thing to do would be to substitute the battery. A weak or dead cell would allow the lights to come on but cause the starter to fail under load.

I think removing a starter and taking it to a shop that rebuilds starters and alternators would be a good next step if the battery is good?

Once you eliminate that you may still have an electrical problem?

How difficult would it be to put the original window motors back in?

Out of box failures of new window motors are not unheard of & could be a cause of the alarm and or electrical issues?

Good luck

Telcoman
Modified by telcoman at 7:13 AM 9/21/2008

[infinig03]

i'm starting to think the whole thing is a complete coincidence. there were a couple times in the past couple weeks where i cranked the car up and it felt like it hesitated a bit. it's just a coincidence that the starter just finally kicked out when i got done fixing the windows. (I didn't actually replace the window motors. i saw a trick on another forum where you take the housing off and clean it out and it fixes it. it works, BTW) so i'm going to take the battery to get tested to see if it was caused by a weak battery. and then on to replacing the starter i suppose.

**i bought the car used and i believe it has an extended powertrain warranty. would a starter be covered under that?

*** and if it's not covered, what degree of difficulty is a starter replacement for a DIY?

Big thanks to everyone who has helped. this forum is great and much more helpful than the other G35 message boards!! YOU GUYS ROCK!

[infinig03]

what is the trick with tapping on the starter?

[telcoman]

what is the trick with tapping on the starter?

If the starter selenoid is sticky, sometimes lightly tapping on the starter housing will cause it to fully engage while someone else is turning the ignition switch to the start position.

Was this vehicle ever involved in a flood?

Telcoman

[SteveTheTech]

Yeah I would think its more of a coincidence than anything else. Crap luck basically.

[infinig03]

boy, is my face red. LOL. went and tested the battery today and replaced it. car fired right up. funny it didn't take to the two attempts we mad to jump it. the alarm indicator light will remain a mystery. But the G35 is back in action and the stealership had no involvement. that's all that matters. thanks again for all of the help and i look forward to being a NICO forums member

[joe603]

Glad you got her going! Batteries can do strange things when they start to die. Starters/solenoids on newer cars generally don't fail.

[Jacko3]

I happy for you! Well done!

Yes, Batteries, starters, and ignition switches, can cause the problems you stated. Starting with the easiest aspect and then going down to the more expensive part, is usally the way to go. And, I have seen the solenoid being tapped back into action. Modern day starters are incredibly reliable.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

Congrats on the fix - (easy) I too agree the jump you tried should've worked, but the good news is you've worked out the bugs.

Let us know how you make out, hopefully no new problems down the road!

Welcome to Nico!

[tollboothwilley]

I'm sure you can finally take a deep breath of relief air

It feels good to know that our cars really are reliable, doesnt it?

[telcoman]

.... I too agree the jump you tried should've worked,.......

If you don't use a good quality heavy duty 4 Gauge jumper cables it won't work.

Don't buy cheap cables

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-...uto_5

Telcoman