Problem noticed.... advice?

[CalgaryG]

Hi all,

While on a road trip out to the mountains this weekend, I had some issues with my car. I am planning on taking it into the dealer this week, but I thought I would see if anyone had some suggestions as to what my problem is before I go in.

I had my cruise control on at about 100kmh (60mph) and I flicked on my highbeams. At that point, it seemed like the power cut off, or the computer reset or something like that. The cruise turned off, the music blinked off for a second, and my speedometer started dropping like a rock (even though I was still going about the same speed). About a second or a half second after all this happened, the car went completely back to normal.

Then after having the car parked outside at the ski hill, I went to turn on the car, and it was completely dead. I left the keys in the ignition, while trying to find jumper cables in my friends car. About 2 minutes after getting out of the car, I heard the beeping that goes on when you leave your keys in the ignition. I went back into the car, and it turned on.... however, my trip counter was reset, and all the radio stations etc. reset to defaults.

Other than that, the trip had no problems, and nothing went wrong in the 5+ hour drive back home. Do I have an issue with my battery, or computer? If not, what else could be wrong?

Thanks for the help.

[WoolyS14DET]

get your battery checked !!

[rn79870]

Obviously electrical. It seems like two problems. One with the highbeam and another with the charging system. Those are guesses on my part. Taking the car in is smart.

[abdoman]

sounds like it could be a loose battery clamp

[Jacko3]

CalgaryG:

I am sorry to say this, but welcome to the unusual world of the G-35. The G-35 thinks for itself. I have been saying this for a while on this forum. The G-35 is an unusual car in many respects. If you accept this fact of life, then you will sleep easy. Divorce your mind form normalcy and luxury if you hope to own this car for a long time.

I am of the belief that my car pushes 325 Bhp on some days and then on some, it barely makes 300 bhp. Of course, this is with the mods I have on the car. On the days it feels like behaving like a stubborn a$$, I quickly drive it home and park it. Thank God for my other little Nissan that performs more consistently everyday.

Thinks flicker all the time in my car, and I pay no mind to it. My philosophy with my car is that, it will fix itself when it has taken enough of its meds. The meds being---flog the hell out of the car. This is the only langauge the G-35 understands. Surprisingly, the car does fix itself.

Trust me on this one, there is nothing really wrong with your car. The dealership won't find anything significant. So long as the car starts, forget about anything else and drive to your hearts delight. Anyway, I didn't buy the car for the electronics. If you want electronic marvel, then I suggest you get a Lexus or a BMW.

The G-35 is a crude car in luxury design. Guess what, the crudeness is what i love about the car. I love to hear the rattle of the transmission and suspension parts when I drive--it makes me feel connected to the road. I drive with my wondows down all day--in summer and winter. Somewhere on my pulleys, there is a small ringing sound when i accelerate. I used to worry about this, but now I don't, especially after realizing that the car is filled with so many aesthetic imperfections.

Even the tires make so much noise as it ages. Do I care? No! Because every noise I hear is music to my ears. A real sports car as you will find it on the track is very noisy inside form all manner of aesthetic imperfections. So, is the g-35 Coupe. Even my chairs squek and move when I am experiencing some Gs when I drive around curves. Do I car? No! I actually love it. Sometimes I feel the seat will leave its hinges before the car leaves the teack.

If you are seeking refinement in all areas of the car, you will be very unhappy every waking moment of your car ownership. There is so much that will keep you experiencing buyers remorse everyday.

The only expensive items that are sound in a G-35 Coupe are, engine, transmission, and suspension. Even then, some had engine problems from oil consumption, and some had transmission problems. Well, Infiniti is fixing most of these problems.

Of all the small cars I have driven, the G-35 motor and transmission, if you have a good one, has one of the highest levels of tolerance for punishment. Again, this is unsual for a small car of that price. This si what you get for big bucks sports cars.

Infiniti spent a lot of time optimizing engine performance with transmission response, and suspension handling. They totally forgot the electronics and interior issues with luxury cars. And for that, I am glad that their forget fulness has led to a car whose driving behavior is closer to a track car than a street car--thus creeating real excitement in driving. It is partly this behavior that will keep the G-35 ahead in sales than the G-37 for many years to come.

The G-35 Coupe is totally raw. Expect squeaks from everywhere and expect the electronics to behave in a wayward manner. This car is simply for driving and nothing more. Expect nothing more. Flog the car. It drives better that way.

Take car in for check anyways, if you are under warranty. Can't hurt to get a free check up on the car. But I doubt anything big is up. You wil be fine.

[tollboothwilley]

Sounds very much like a battery.

#1) I'd check to see if the battery terminals are dirty. Take them off and use a wire brush to clean anything off.

#2) If that doesn't work get the battery tested

#3) Get the alternator checked as well (if this is going bad it would put extra strain on the battery and could cause failure)

IF these all check out, its time for the stealer

[smockers83]

Definitely something eletrical, as tollbooth said. My main concern would be the alternator, because if that's bad and it dies on you, you've got a dead car.

Jacko, if you have stuff flickering and squeaking and stuff all the time, you do have an unusual car. Tire noise can be fixed with tires. I don't think you can say winter in Florida either haha--when its 80 right now, that isn't winter.

[telcoman]

Hi all,

While on a road trip out to the mountains this weekend, I had some issues with my car. I am planning on taking it into the dealer this week, but I thought I would see if anyone had some suggestions as to what my problem is before I go in.

I had my cruise control on at about 100kmh (60mph) and I flicked on my highbeams. At that point, it seemed like the power cut off, or the computer reset or something like that. The cruise turned off, the music blinked off for a second, and my speedometer started dropping like a rock (even though I was still going about the same speed). About a second or a half second after all this happened, the car went completely back to normal.

Then after having the car parked outside at the ski hill, I went to turn on the car, and it was completely dead. I left the keys in the ignition, while trying to find jumper cables in my friends car. About 2 minutes after getting out of the car, I heard the beeping that goes on when you leave your keys in the ignition. I went back into the car, and it turned on.... however, my trip counter was reset, and all the radio stations etc. reset to defaults.

Other than that, the trip had no problems, and nothing went wrong in the 5+ hour drive back home. Do I have an issue with my battery, or computer? If not, what else could be wrong?

Thanks for the help.

I think it is just a loose connection that happend to occur when you used your highbeams. Check battery connections and main fuzes.Just the fact that the radio lost its presets indicates a complete loss of power just as if the battery was completly disconnected.

Radio Shack has a cheap digital Voltmeter for about $20 so you can measure the voltage at the battery. Car off 12.6v, Engine running 14.4v if your alternator is functioning.

Telcoman

[Jacko3]

Smockers:

Yes I have an unusual car. Even while I try to get in the seat, the suspension squeaks. So, where do I begin? I feel my car was not put together very well because the old engine in the car and the existing transmission, did not work very well together. But the new revised VQ35DE engine inm y car and my existing transmission, are totally like Jack and Jill, walking in lock step up to the mountain. It was this experience that really brought home the importance of having an engine perfectly matching a transmission.

The squeaks and the small noises, don't affect performance that much. But it would appear that humidity. temperature, and change in pressure does affect my performance, and the way my Stillen exhaust sounds sometimes.

[Sentientbydesign]

I have to disagree with Jacko.

I would definately take your car in to the dealer. I have had my car for 2 months now and have not had any weird occurances like that.

It could be something as simple as a loose battery connection, but my thought are that it's more involved than that. I've dealt with sporadic electrical connections and they usually occur with a change in temperature/humidity.

[Jacko3]

sentientbydesign:

I was trying to let the guy know that the problem is not worth fretting over. I am totally confident of the G-35 ability to get itslef back in shape. This car si too expensive to have high blood pressure over. Yes, the problem is a small one that can be fixed very easily, if discovered. Lets hope they are able to pin-point the problem, because they have not been able to pin-point the sources of the noises I hear on mine.

[C-Kwik]

Check for corrosion on the battery terminals. Most batteries tend to seep a small amount of battery acid, which tends to like to react with metals forming a compound between the terminal and the connection that is non-conductive.

Out side of that, electrical gremlins can be a pin so if it is under warranty, you might take it in. Though, unless it is repeatable, the dealer may not be able to do anything about it. Take good mental notes of the circumstances if/when this happens again and see if you can reproduce it yourself so you can tell the dealer how to reproduce it.

[Sentientbydesign]

Definately find out how to repeat it.

That's what I did with mine when it was making axle noises. Just telling them it's coming from the rear of the vehicle isn't enough. I drove it around and kind of abused the car a little to see what conditions would cause the noise.

Jacko:

You're right, it's not worth having high blood pressure over, but it's also not worth dealing with if it's still under warranty. These are Infinitis, NOT hyundais. They should work right from the get go.

If you are as in-tuned with your vehicle as you say you are, then I would sincerely suggest you take the time to reproduce the sound so or electrical issue or whatever it is that is malfunctioning (and yes, it IS malfunctioning) so that the dealer service department can remedy the condition.