Went to start the Zed today and she turned over very slowly, then died. Tried again and this time there was no turnover, but a whiff of white smoke from under the bonnet directly above the battery!

 

I opened the bonnet and looked for anything awry - no smouldering wires, no funny smell, nothing. Back in the car the clock had reset so obviously voltage had dropped way down. Next try I just heard the starter solenoid click. Though I'd try one more time. This time turned over, small whiff of smoke and she started.

 

I shut down and dug out the voltmeter - solid 12V at the terminals, still no visible problems. Watching carefully started again. This time perfectly normal, no smoke, nice start and 13.5V when running.

 

By now I'm late for work so I put her to bed and took the Landie instead. Going to investigate at the weekend but I'd welcome any thoughts. Internal short in the battery? Earthing in the starter circuit? Either way how could it cure itself? Forgive my ignorance but is the starter motor on the same side as the smoke came from?

 

Thanks for any help!

Starter is drivers side at back of engine bay......

Check battery connectors for corrosion between clamps and lead battery terminals.... also the earth strap to the bodywork from the battery.... short thick wire to bulkhead.. maybe bad connections?

Loose connection sounds plausible. My battery clamp is missing so the battery can shift about a small amount. Guess that could work it loose. Out all day tomorrow but I'll check that first thing Saturday. Hope it's right, I like a cheap fix! ;)

Loose connection sounds plausible. My battery clamp is missing so the battery can shift about a small amount. Guess that could work it loose. Out all day tomorrow but I'll check that first thing Saturday. Hope it's right, I like a cheap fix! ;)

 

That's an MoT failure too!

Been trying to get hold of an OEM one since I got the car but never found one yet. If its the cause of this problem I'll at least make up something temporary. Didn't know about the MOT regs on this though. Apparently neither did whoever tested it when it was imported! :)

As Si said, definitely an MOT failure.

 

This link may be of help.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NISSAN-300ZX-Z32-FAIRLADY-TWIN-TURBO-VG30DETT-OEM-BATTERY-CLAMP-/201383544360?hash=item2ee3650628

Been trying to get hold of an OEM one since I got the car but never found one yet. If its the cause of this problem I'll at least make up something temporary. Didn't know about the MOT regs on this though. Apparently neither did whoever tested it when it was imported! :)

 

You do know that the rods, bracket and bolts come to a sum total of about £25 for new ones! :lol: ;)

You do know that the rods, bracket and bolts come to a sum total of about £25 for new ones! :lol: ;)

 

I know it's not going to be expensive but I couldn't find a new one anywhere online, and when I got a used one off eBay it turned out not to fit! It was for a skinny battery. I guess I could have gone to a Nissan dealer but I'm kind of allergic to taking my Zed anywhere near them!

 

Thanks for the link red wine!

You can get them new online from Z1 and Concept Z or you could give MJP a call.

I know it's not going to be expensive but I couldn't find a new one anywhere online, and when I got a used one off eBay it turned out not to fit! It was for a skinny battery. I guess I could have gone to a Nissan dealer but I'm kind of allergic to taking my Zed anywhere near them!

 

Thanks for the link red wine!

 

Ask Mike at MJP.... our very own wealth of knowledge of all things for your Z........

 

Doh....... beaten to it by Si again....... lol

Thanks guys

Finally had time to get under the bonnet this morning. Although everything looked OK when I removed the negative terminal the battery post and inside of the terminal were corroded and showed signs of there being movement/vibration. I cleaned it all up and now she starts on the button! Can't believe it was just that, the white smoke was really scary!

 

I've ordered a replacement battery clamp and meantime made up a temporary one from some spare steel and threaded rods. Should have got round to that months ago.

 

Thanks for all the good advice and useful links. Now I have a happy couple of hours working out how to reprogram the stereo, which lost all its settings!;)

Sounds good Chris :thumbup1: A battery moving about in the engine bay is not good idea.

Edited August 29, 201510 yr by Gaz 300