So I was driving along tonight at about 60 to 65 miles per hour and I punch the gas a bit to get around a car in the other lane. The car doesn't like this and gives a sudden lurch (no noise), after which the accelerator stops responding. I pull off to the side off the road and, after a few seconds, turn the car off. I try restarting it and nothing -- it doesn't start -- no ignition.

I ended up having it towed to the dealership but I will not know anything until Monday at the earliest.

Anyone had anything like this happen? I'm guessing transmission problems but I'm clueless about these things. There didn't seem to be any obvious engine problems.

 

if it doesnt start at all that sounds like a battery/alternator/starter issue

 

Would alternator death cause the accelerator to just die if the battery still had power? I could turn the car to the ON and ACC states just fine (Air Conditioning would even come on).

 

hmm i dont think so, it'd just cause the battery to die which obviously isnt the issue here since you mentioned it still can turn on. ive heard of some members having the immobilizer system kick in and prevent the car from starting. strange that it happened WHILE driving though

 

Check your battery conections...it might have enough connection to put the car in ignition but not start it... my buddy had the same problem... on a highway planning to overtake a car guns it and nothing pulls of and doesn't start turns out his ground fell of the battery....

 

I'd check but the car is at the dealership. I'm hoping to get some answers today. They should be calling in a bit and I'll mention the battery theory.

 

while driving the battery has little to do with anything if the alternatior is fully functional...if the alternator died, you should have had a warning light stating the battery is not being charged...If you get no response when trying to start it could be the steering lock module...its an electric part so when it fails it fails...i am not sure if it would necessary die while driving, but it could...when you pulled over could you open and close the car with the key? and turn all interior light on? <-- this will eliminate some of the assumptions here

 

Yeah I'm fairly certain the keyfob worked for unlocking and locking the door (if this is what you mean). I didn't turn on the interior lights but the battery was working because the On/ACC modes worked and the A/C & stereo worked. I'm assuming the battery would need to have a decent charge to spin up the A/C.

I did notice that the brake pedal seemed to be fully depressed or had little give (this was after turning the car off the first time).

 

Sounds like a steering wheel lock module...all the symptoms of it anyways...i had that happend, not while driving though- thats the only thing i am not sure but might worth exploring, whether it wouldlet that happen while driving...which in all sense could since its an electrical component of the car and if it goes it might be what you just experienced...
imo there should be a TSB for it...way too many people having this issues
read this so you are little more educated when dealing with the dealership to solve this...if this in case comes back as the problem part :
http://forums.maxima.org/7th-generat...not-start.html

 

Thanks eesjunin. I'll be calling the dealership in about a hour to see what's up and I'll bring that up if I get a chance to talk to a tech (and they haven't already figured out the issue).

 

I just received a call from the dealership. The car is in the shop and they're going through the codes (they called just to let me know the car will not be ready today). I mentioned the steering module problem and his response was "Yeah, we've seen it all before. At this point it's just a matter of going through the process of elimination."

Hope my extended warranty covers whatever it is (it should, unless they find some way to weasel out of it).

 

if you are out 0f 3 y 36K miles...its coming out of your pocket ...did you read the thread? next they are going to tell you the part is on backorder...

 

I have an extended warranty (good til 2014) that *should* cover it.

edit: Yeah, I read through the thread.

 

Yeah you should be fine since you have an extended warranty

 

Extended warranty should cover it...

 

If it is that steering module, its a common problem with some 09 Maxi's and Z's.

 

Heard back from the dealership. A wire broke (not sure of the exact wire -- something about the ignition, ECM, and fuel injection system) which caused a short that, in turn, caused a fuel injection fuse to blow.

 

Hhmm interesting

 

Just to clarify -- the issue was a wiring problem on an aftermarket daylight running module installed by the dealership nearly 2 years when I moved back to Canada from the US. Unfortunately, the warranty on that work was only for a year so I have to foot the $300+ bill for this.

Oh well, at least it was a problem with bad aftermarket work and not with the original car itself. I'm still a bit pissed off about it but it stings a bit less than it did yesterday.