Hi all,

 

On Friday night, rush hour traffic, I broke down in my 300zx UK 1993 model. I could not believe it !!!

 

What happened was that I was on the hill (like everyday of the week I normally am) and then suddenly the revs should went dead and the engine switched off. Tried to start it again, but it did not want to know. The battery was fine and engine was turning over fine, but did not fire.

 

I then called the AA. I tried 5 times to start it and then the 6th time I started it just fine. The AA guy then turned up !! Anyway, I was just about to go off and then the engine cut out again ! The AA guy said fuel line is ok, but could not diagnose anything else. I then waited for the truck to pick me up. I waited for about 15 mins and then tried starting it again. This time it started and I went home as fast as I could !!!

 

Anyone know what the possible cause could be ? Will the ECU self-diagnostic find a problem or will I have to take it to a Nissan dealer ?

 

Your help is appreciated.

 

Thanks.

 

that sounds strange i have no idea try looking on the ttnet under faq

might be on there

good luck

 

Its possible this is the dreaded PTU causing trouble - it may be worthwhile giving the easy to reach sensor connections a good going over with some contact cleaner - they probably have corrosion on them.

 

 

It certainly sounds like the power transistor.

 

Try an ECU diagnostic and if it's the PTU you should get an error code 21.

 

It's not too good though as I'm fairly sure that Nissan (at least in the US) knew about the PTU problem before 1993 so there's no excuse for them still to be using the faulty units.

 

I agree with Dave it's the power transistor.

 

Exactly the same thing happened to me. All was well and then one day it just stopped. It goes again once the PTU cools but basically it's buggered. They age and die like the rest of us.

 

Get a new one then it's plug and play and all will be well.

 

Run the engine till it cuts then do the ECU diagnostics and 10:1 it's the PTU.

 

I had no trouble getting one as this fault is common.

 

Simon Pass

 

Sounds like PTU to me, mine manifested itself in the same way.

 

SE fixed it for me for about £330.

 

Eddie ;-)

 

My mate had the PTU go, the car would cut out whilst driving then when left to cool it would start fine again. The other fault we have both experienced is that the engine would not fire having stopped when warm, until left for about 45 minutes. This has only happened to mine once but my mates has done it several times I think it may be a sensor as by pulling the battery lead and disconnecting the power then reconnecting the car starts.

 

Sure sounds like it's the PTU.

Be sure to get the updated model!

Nissan in Europe is still selling the old failing

one. They wanted ~800USD for it here in Sweden!! Insane!

I got it for $157 from Courtesy Nissan TX (www.courtesynissan.com).

The list price is ~$209 but if you mention that you're a

member on twinturbo.net, you will get 25% discount.

The part number for the PTU-kit is 22020-97E25

 

Good luck!

Maciej

 

 

Don't know if anyone has mentioned this but IT'S THE PTU !!!

 

I'm sorry to bring up SE again but £330! Please tell me you're joking.

 

Make sure you check the connection first as the problem with mine was a corroded connection. Try cleaning it.

 

Andy

 

Yep, does seem like muggins paid a bit too much for me PTU. It was a Genuine UK Nissan Part 8-)

 

I had the car a week when it went and I was despirate to get the car fixed ASAP. Am a bit more clued up now I have had the car for a year & read comments on different forums.

 

Cheers

 

Eddie ;-)

 

im not even going there anders lol but if that is not a really blatent rip of then i dont know.

 

 

 

Hi all,

 

Thanks for the help and comments. Just drove the car again and it failed in 20 seconds. Again, when the car is warm, it fails to start.

 

Called the AA and they called out a 3rd party garage to pick the car up. It took them 35 minutes to put it on the back of the truck because it was too low.

 

Anyway, took it to Nissan and they said it was the 'Ignition Amplifier' that had gone.

Cost to replace and fit = £394 inc VAT !!!

 

Has anyone come across this part before ?

 

Don't get raped by that Nissan-dealer !

The ign. amplifier and PTU are the same thing.

 

If you let them replace it, they probably fit another mitsubitshi PTU, which will fail again sooner or later.

Insist that you want the upgraded one.(available in the US) and if they can't, just order one yourself...saves you a LOT of money.

Replacing the PTU itself is a 15 minute job

 

-Eric

 

 

 

Eric,

 

I thought that the Mitsubishi ignition amplifier was the upgraded one!!

 

Steve

 

you're right Steve !

 

The Mitsubitshi is the one you need (the upgraded PTU), not the Nissan one.

 

Sorry for the confusion :-)

 

-Eric

 

 

 

Thanks for that info.

I've already told Nissan to order one and they said it is an 'original' Nissan part.

 

I need your help again.

Could you please tell me what the PART NUMBER is for:

 

1) The MITSUBISHI Ignition Amplifier

2) The NISSAN Ignition Amplifier

 

This would help a lot !!! Thanks.

 

Look at my post further up! ^^^^^^^

 

Maciej

 

 

Mitsubitshi PTU: 22020 - 97E25 (this is the one you need)

 

Nissan PTU : 22020 - 58S11 (bad one)

 

-Eric

 

I took a look at my PTU and found the part number 22020 97E11, and the name Mitsubishi shown on it (as well as Nissan).

I have an imported 1994.7 300ZX TT 2+0.

Is there any significance in the suffix of 11, against 25 shown in your recommendations?

Thanks, Geoff

 

The one with the 25 at the end is the part

number for the whole kit (PTU + wire harness).

The new harness is needed cause the new PTU has different contacts.

 

Maciej

 

 

If you want a good laugh call a Mitsubitshi-dealer and ask the price for this PTU (the mitsubitshi-partnumber is also on the upgraded PTU)

I wonder if you can make the connection-kit yourself.. ;-)

 

-Eric

 

Come on Eric, tell us!

How much was it?

 

Was it that cheap? Or maybe expensive?

 

Maciej

 

 

In Holland it costs 125 guilders (around £36 or $50)

 

Ok...so who know how to make the little connection harness ? ;-)

 

 

 

Since I've got the whole kit fitted,

I could examine the wires and draw a schematic.

 

The problem would be the contacts though.

Unless you want to solder the wires in place and

cover it in some glue to prevent corrosion.

 

Anyway, I know now where to get a replacement PTU if mine fails...

 

Maciej

 

check this out for the worlds greatest rip off ever ryland nissan in manchester who were bought out by lookers are after £544+vat for the ptu unit and its a three week wait for it. can anybody get a dearer one than this. its at times like these you wonder why you bother the mighty z as it seems to me all some dealers wanna do is roger you senseless