I have had an aweful journey between Purley and Epsom tonight. I am not sure if I was publicised on the traffic news, as I ended up causing mayhem at a junction in Woodcote and subsequently a junction in Carshalton when I tried a "safer" way. My 300ZX TT import may be quite famous now (or infamous)?

 

Anyhow, does anybody have an insight into what could be my problem? The car had a full-service and cam-belt change 3 weeks ago, and has been running fine daily. Then tonight, after a couple of miles and getting hot (although no adverse signs on the gauges) I cannot pull above 2000 revs, then 1500, then nothing. Allow the engine to cool for 1/2 hour, and then you can repeat, and limp home.

 

If you feel the (new) Fuel Filter, you can feel all is not well with the supply. It looks as though there is a feed back from the injectors (overflow?) as well as the main feed from the rear tank & pump. I just feel it is fuel overheating, rather than a pump malfunction - but not absolutely sure.

 

Any help would be appreciated. I have to get it back to the garage, but if there is anything I can do to make sure I get there, I am sure all the other road users would appreciate it! Thanks.

 

Sounds like a faulty Power Transistor.

 

Do an ECU check and see if you get a code 21

 

Yup, agreed.

 

Geoff, there is a writeup on twinturbo.net for doing an ECU diag. Very easy. Power Transister unit failure is a fairly common problem. There was a recall on the 1990 models. They degrade over time and cut out when they get too hot. These engines run very hot normaly. I wouldn't worry if the temp guage is showing normal.

 

Yes agree with the rest, it's the power transistor. Without warning it happened to me on the up ramp in Reading Station car-park. Pushing one of these Bas*ards around is not something I wish to repeat. At the end of the work day it started fine then simply lost power and died on the dual carriageway home. Next day started fine but I had it flat-bedded to the garage. ECU diagnosed the fault and a quick replacement and all is well.

 

Obviously the heat is making it break down, nothing llasts forever.

 

Heard this was a recall in the UK but it is only £100 or so and is an easy fix.

 

Simon Pass

 

Mine has started doing the same yesterday. Start from cold get 100yds down the road and it dies, leave it 30 mins and it starts, travel anothe 100yds and it dies.

I have just put mine in the garage and will hopefully have the outcome shortly.

 

It is an easy fix, but unfortunately it's a lot more than £100. I think mine was around £350-400.

 

I had one shipped over from the US (and it didn't work, although it should have), but was *much* cheaper than the UK version. The UK version is also the same design as the old, faulty one, whereas the US version is upgraded.

 

The recall was only in the US as far as I know.

 

I have a feeling that there was a guy in NZ who could fix them. Do you know anything about it Rowan?

 

The recall was in the UK as well, as i have a receipt for it in the service history i got with my car.

 

I'll look tonight when i get home and see how much it was.

 

have all the 300's been cursed lately i've just been chattin with jihnny and it seems almost everybody is havin probs at the mo is it a conspiracy by other inferior car owner to take out the best motors in britain

 

Just had the verdict and it is definitely the power transistor, my local dealer quoted me £271+VAT so I think prices have dropped. It probably isn't worth getting a second hand one as that may be faulty from the start.

 

271+Vat sounds about right - a rip-off, but about right!

 

I think the US version is about $200...

 

Wow... what a great site, and bunch of guys! Thanks.

 

I found the ECU test on the following URL http://www.ttzd.com/tech/diagnostictech.html which I got to via twinturbo.net - thanks.

 

I also found the procedure on Bob's CD-ROM last night. I will give it a go tomorrow (and hope I don't blink while counting!).

 

My car is a 1994.7 origin, and it is interesting all this talk about a Nissan recall. I'll let you know, and thanks again.

 

Geoff, do you live in the same area you got stuck in ?

 

I'm that area as well, if you want to meet up some time.

 

drop me an email

 

I'm not far away either (I work in Chertsey and live in Redhill).

 

I also have a piece of bent wire in my car for doing quick ECU checks with the consult port - it means you don't need to take the footwell apart to get to the ECU.

 

Anyway, get in touch if you need assistance.

 

Geoff,

I travel along the road I'm assuming you go along (from Purley Cross up to the mini roundabout) every day. Do you have a grey Z ? I followed one up there a while back. Mine's a dark red with a bookshelf on the back.

Dave

 

sniff sniff... smells like a little mini meet is cooking :)

 

This happened to me. Nissan said it was the "Trignition Unit". Anyway, it'll set you back about 400quid at a dealer. Thankfully, mine got paid for with my warranty. Very frustrating when it does happen, I needed to call out Green Flag twice for a tow.

 

Andy

 

I would get a new one if I were you. It's a common fault and the 2nd hand one could do it again at some point.

 

Can I join your club, mine also got replaced at about 4/5 years old.

 

 

A delay in providing you with an update, but it is the first time I have been able to sit down, and also have something to report.

 

Well, I did not have a chance to do the ECU check as the garage delivered a Peugeot 406 to me that day and took my car away for a couple of days to try it and ensure they resolved. I need to follow-up to understand better, but it was tracked to be Spark Plugs. The suppliers replaced without charge, and the garage has not charged me either. I appear to have "a good result" but being so pleased/relieved to get my car back with no outlay, I did not think too much about asking more. The word 'faulty' was used though.

 

I did have UK spec plugs fitted immediately after the service, and these did give me a high (no) rev problem - my car being a Japanese used import - but these plugs were quickly replaced with matching ones to those originally taken out. (All NGK but with slightly different shroud length).

So these things need replacing every 60,000m eh.... not in my car!

 

Craig, it would be great to meet up with you and also perhaps some of the other guys. Thanks. I will send you an E-Mail (perhaps the others interested can too?) and we can see what we can do.

 

Dave (Marley), your bit of bent wire sounds interesting.

Hairsy, my car is colour coded to my hair – Silver. I did see a nice Grey 300 on that stretch the first ‘flood’ morning. I travel the other direction.

All, thanks for all the info. Sounds like it may come in handy quite soon.

 

Geoff

 

 

Bent wire, Hairsy!

 

How about wiring a push button into shorting those two together... then you have an ecu diag button available... now quite a Nissan Console, but at £4 it's good value!