SunGodRA Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Hi guys, typing this from iphone so difficult to search. Was in traffic a couple of minutes ago and the VDC off light came on, together with slip, ABS, battery and ((!)) lights - engine still running but no power when I press throttle. Volt metre also reading max (above 16 volts) Have tried restarting a couple of times, but same problem. Have just moved car to safe place but don't know what to do now. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 A failing battery can make the Z do strange things so could be that. Have you got breakdown coverage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H5 Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Sounds like it may have gone into some sort of limp mode. What do you get if you turn the key to the ign position but don't start? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunGodRA Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 A failing battery can make the Z do strange things so could be that. Have you got breakdown coverage? The battery is only a couple of months old but I suppose it could be faulty. I have AA but would like a diagnosis before I call them so I know where to get it towed to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H5 Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Do you want to try the ECU reset? I can search and post the details here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunGodRA Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 Do you want to try the ECU reset? I can search and post the details here? That would be great - thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H5 Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 The following is the correct procedure for resetting the ECU See the red text in Step 3 which is crucial to success. 350Z ECU Resetting Procedures Timing is extremely critical. If it is NOT DONE within the specify time, the ECU will not reset and the Check Engine Light (CEL) will continue to remain ON. A stop watch or an analog clock with a second?s needle will be useful. Operational Procedure 1. Confirm that accelerator pedal is fully released, turn ignition switch ?ON? and wait 3 seconds. 2. Repeat the following steps (2a and 2b) procedures quickly five times within 5 seconds. 2a. Fully depress the accelerator pedal (HARD). 2b. Fully release the accelerator pedal. 3. Wait 7 seconds**, fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for approx. 10 seconds until the CEL starts blinking. **The 7 seconds starts from the end of the 5 seconds period above it does NOT start from the 5th release of the accelerator pedal. 4. Fully release the accelerator pedal (while the CEL is still blinking) 5. Wait about 10 second. 6. Fully depress the accelerator pedal and keep it for more than 10 seconds. 7. Fully release the accelerator pedal (The CEL light will continue to blink but at a a faster rate). 8. Turn ignition switch to ?OFF? position and now you can start the car. The CEL light should be gone. If the CEL light continues to remain ON, repeat the above steps. Timing is EXTREMELY critical to resetting the ECU. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanski Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 worrying that the Volt meter is reading above 16V - maybe a short in the alternator ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunGodRA Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 Have had to come back home now as I had to have a business conference call etc - I will get back to the car later this morning and try ECU reset - if that doesn't work I will call the AA. What are the chances the AA will be able to resolve on the roadside? Will they take the easy option and tow it away? hmmmm.... Thanks for help so far guys, will update with progress when it happens David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunGodRA Posted March 26, 2010 Author Share Posted March 26, 2010 Quick Update.... Did ECU reset - didn't change anything. So I called the AA. 15 mins later patrol van arrives, I explained what happened etc etc and the first thing he did was run a meter across the battery while engine running. 21 VOLTS!!!! We agreed nothing could be done on the roadside, so recovery was required. I was expecting for him to call for a low loader...but he checked him laptop and said 'no, I can tow this'... Look at clearance - I measured - 3 inches I was crapping myself and I could see he was nervous to but in all fairness he got us to a local company (Southern Auto Electricals specialise in this sort of thing) without scraping the bumper! SEA diagnosed knackered alternator and I managed to get one next day from ZMANALEX at a great price - many thanks Alex Fitted today and all seems okay, apart from the fact the alternator had literally 'fried' the battery - so need to get a new one tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 My car clearance is less than that normally! Glad it's sorted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marzman Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 Bloody ell... thats lucky. Good result then by the sounds of it bud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian.lewkowicz Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 Bloody hell, that's a bit worrying. Good that it didn't do any more damage other than the battery Not suprised the AA bloke was crapping it. I remember when I had to get my Audi A4 towed, they sent out a normal patrol van, who then said there's no chance I'll be able to tow that (it was kitted and had a pretty low RS4 kit on it) so he called for a recovery truck. When he got there (it was getting late by this stage and the garage would have shut) he said I could probably get it on the truck but not many of the blokes could get it off so I don't wanna risk it incase one of the other lads needs the truck in the morning (he didn't wanna leave the car outside the garage without letting them know etc so was gonna leave it on the truck in their yard) as they'll end up ripping your bumper off. So he then rang and arranged for another recovery truck in the morning. This one was a bit more special though. The whole of the flat bed came off and was flat on my drive and you could pretty much push the car onto it. It's apparently what they use for things like Ferrari's and others cars which have almost no clearance. I just remember thinking how nice it is to get someone from a recovery company who respects the cars they are working on, not getting pi**ed that things are a lil harder because it's not a standard car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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