2003 G35 Sedan / 140,000 miles

So I have this problem with my car, and rather than ask the question, then get blasted for not doing a "search" and forever be regarded as "that guy," I went ahead and tried to find the info. Based on the many experts here, this is what I found the problem COULD be:

1. Loose battery connections
2. Alternator
3. Starter
4. Stereo head-unit
5. Wiring Harness
6. Camshaft position sensor (left and right)
7. Crankshaft position indicator

Well, not being a technical automotive genius, and not having the time or money to replace all this stuff, I have decided to present MY particular problem in hopes one of you gurus might be able to help me out.

Two weeks ago, I had the head unit replaced so as to fix the dreaded AC control issue that Infiniti engineers seemed too short-sided to design correctly. After having a brand new Kenwood double DIN installed, the problem was fixed and the car started with no issues.

Yesterday, after the car sat for three days without being started, I went to run a short errand. When trying to start the car, I got that onminous feeling that the battery might be going dead, when I turned the key and heard the slow lugging of the car turning over. The car eventually started and ran fine.

Today, I went to drive the car, and all I got was a slow lug, followed by a few clicks, then nothing. Relegated to replacing the battery, which I was sure was the problem, I purchased a new one and replaced the old one. Guess what, same problem. I then had the old battery tested and it came back as "fine."

I then checked all the battery connections and made sure they were clean, which all were tight and spic-n-span.

So now I'm stuck wondering what the hell is going on with this thing.

1. How do I know if it's an alternator/starter problem?
2. How do I know if I should replace the Cam/Crankshaft position sensors?
3. If it was a stereo problem, wouldn't the problem have occured sooner?
4. I know I should have diagnostic ran on it, but I don't have a scanner, the car wont start to take to someone who has one, and I really don't want to have to tow the thing. Can this be diagnosed with out it?

Any ideas folks???

 

well, you can rule out Cam/Crankshaft Position Sensors, because replacement of the battery would not allow you to start if that was out.
possibly alternator problem, you can take that up to Autozone, or Oreilly and they can bench test the alternator to see if that's the problem,
possibly that when the stereo install was done, there is a slow drain on the battery but testing the alternator would be the best place to start in my opinon

 

If you have ruled out the battery as a cause of the issue, you need to get the computer codes. That is, if you can get the G to an autozone or something. You could also try disconnected the head unit to try to rule that out. The point is, if you want to troubleshoot for free, you need to rule each of the possibilities out your self.

 

Sounds like a short somewhere if its not the alternator. You can always do a parasite drain check by hooking up a voltage reader and pull fuses until the drain is lowered. then check the system the fuse is related to

 

Charge the battery up, start the car, and then check the voltage. I bet you 10-1 it's your alternator, especially given how many miles you have on your car.

 

First step is to check your battery, you can guess at all the other possibilities forever but the battery is where to begin. If you had the new sound system installed within the past couple days I would have guessed that's where the battery drain might be....several weeks doubtful.
Gary

 

Seen it a few times, parasidic draw on the radio circut. Buy a meter and start doing some investigating, best money you can spend vs throwing money at an unknown problem.

 

im not a mechanic, but as a teen i had my share of crap cars lol, the clicking definetly sounds like an alternator issue, i would have the codes ran at an autozone or something and maybe disconnect the head unit if you want to rule that out because that might be giving it a slow drain

 

PROBLEM SOLVED

Just a quick note to say thanks for everyone's comments and advice.

After a AAA tow to my mechanic, it turned out to be a bad starter. $324.00 and two hours later, I was back on the road.

Thanks again!

-IJ