so i decided to change the oil in my 2003 g35 sedan today, something i've done multiple times in the past. the only mods to the car are the plenum spacer and z-tube. everything else is stock

i'd noticed for the past two weeks that the car was taking a bit longer to start after i turned the key in the ignition [it was taking a couple more seconds for the engine to turnover].

so getting back to the oil change:
jacked car, emptied oil, changed filter, took the car off the jackstands, filled the oil, waited to make sure there was no leaking.
started the car and moved it back into the garage.
came back a few minutes later to take the car for a quick errand, but when i went to start it -- it won't start.

right now, i am trying to figure out whether this is a battery, alternator, or starter problem. my ipod nano had been playing off the car battery while i changed the oil, but this couldn't have been for more than an hour.

-when i turn the key in the ignition, i hear a clicking noise and some lights come up: the oil light, the battery light, & the check engine soon light are steady, while the AT light is flashing.
-the indoor cabin lights and the courtesy lights still work.
-the headlights / turn signals do NOT work.
-the car no longer "honks" when i press the lock button on the key-fob. the trunk no longer pops via the key-fob either,
-the wiper works, but only very very slowly.

my dad gave me a boost, which allowed the headlights to come on for a brief few seconds, but then they would not come on again. car still would not start after about 10 minutes of a boost, so i gave up.

i'm going to get it towed tomorrow, but knowing what's wrong with it will help me figure out where i should get it towed [for instance, i'll take it to sam's club if just the battery's dead to get a new battery]

thanks for any help guys!

 

I'm guessing your battery took a shiit. When batteries go bad sometimes all it takes is one good discharge and then they are done! how old is your battery and what brand?

 

sounds like you need a new battery. the clicking noise kinna gave the hint..
happened to my camry a while ago, got charged from a jump start, then wouldnt turn on again.

 

I noticed the same thing today. car has 8k miles, after putting in gas, i start the car and it took longer then usual. I will start it again tomorrow to see if its a recurring issue. I also thought it was strange but it did eventually start.


Hoping im not low in oil. If so, that means my 06 has oil consumption issues. New engine coming soon? We'll see whats up.

 

thanks for the input guys.
it's the original battery. so probably 4 to 4.5 years old.

i am hoping it is the battery and not something more expensive.

i really don't want to be laboring on labor day.

 

I'd bet its the battery too.

 

Believe it or not, almost the same thing happened to me about 2 weeks ago. Just like that out of the blues my car took longer to start one day, the next day the battery was dead. BTW this is the second battery in two and a half years of ownership. I must state however that my car was in storage for a year during a deployment, which could account for the original battery going dead. However since my return in Nov last year and driving every day it was somewhat strange to see the replacement Interstate battery going dead in only 8 months. Needless to say I'm back to the ****ty factory battery as I could not find an Optima in time.

 

welp, swapped the battery and all seems golden now

thanks everyone.

 

No prob

 

Glad to hear it worked out. The clicking sound was the starter not having enough juice to move the plunger.

 

I had this happen on my Maxima, I topped up the battery fluid and recharged it. I used it for another year and a half with no problems.

 

Good, I love Optima batteries btw!!

 

Its the battery. Same thing happened to me, and my friend, and someone else down the street from me with a G. I don't know whats happening to our batteries...

 

My battery dumped a year ago. Won't hold a boost either. I'm changing on a 2 year schedule now to be safe.

 

Dam 2 years isn't very long, that can get expensive! Usually a battery will give you slight indications if they're going south ,hard starting when cold or slower cranking after playing stereo for a while. I always notice shiit like this though!! You have to be one with the car!! This is why I like optima batteries, I have one on my pop's truck that used to be on our race car it has seen more discharges than any regular battery could ever think of taking and still starts his 4.9L 6 cylinder truck everytime, even after sitting for weeks. I would bet that battery is over 8 years old in that much time you would have replaced 4 batteries at a cost of say $80 a piece when you could buy one optima for mmm bout $130 and have it long time!!