Dead Gauges \ Batter Replacement Issues

JakeInFla · Aug 16, 2010

Gauge\Battery Specifics:

2008.5 Titan CC 2WD - 18,XXX miles on the Odometer.

Gauge issue occurring since purchase:

* The gauges in the truck reset all the data it caches at every restart \ every other restart. Issue has occurred since day 1, with the expected dealer response of: "We can't reproduce the issue sir," upon every declaration it's a problem.

Friday: Check Engine Light comes on. Gauges still as problematic as ever. Stuttering during start-up requiring a rev or two to make them functional

Saturday: Visit dealer for regular oil change, tire rotation. Diagnostic claims the battery is producing 52X versus 72X it should. According to the diagnostic, the Check Engine Light is directly related to the battery being problematic.

Solution: Purchase new battery from dealer.

Today: Check Engine Light comes back on when leaving for lunch. Upon start-up the gauges are completely dead. Friday the quick fix was turn the brightness all the way up to re-activate the gauges coupled with a few revs.

Today this doesn't work. They show no signs of life.

I called the dealer. Explained the scenario. Waiting on a call back.

Anyone experience similar gauge or battery issues? Beyond marking the battery with a marker, is there a way to determine if all they did was charge up my existing battery in lieu of replacing it, despite the fact they charged me for a new one?

Any help is appreciated,

- One frustrated Titan owner!

a.k.a

~J.

JakeInFla · Aug 16, 2010

*Update* Re: Dead Gauges \ Batter Replacement Issues

Ok, so I spoke to the Service Manager at Maroone Nissan in Pembroke Pines, Florida. I explained the details of my issues and requested they perform the fuel sensor recall. He told me to head over and he would give me a rental and have them address issues a.s.a.p.

Transmission Issue too? I start the truck to head over, and now an additional "AT System" light appears with the idiot light, and then turns off with the SES remaining on.

I'm not sure if it's psychological due to seeing the light, but during the drive over to the dealership, the green beast was shifting very hard and she seemed to get stuck in gear a few times while cruising and letting off the gas, then accelerating.

Rental: I asked for a GTR for a rental...but he said no.

Instead they gave me a 2010 Burgandy Altima 2.5S with 10 miles on it. I don't know about you, but I've never received a brand new car as a rental. Love that new car smell. Zippy little car too. No replacement for my V8, but I'm impressed with the quality of the ride, and I'm in love with the proximity key\start button technology. I want it for the truck!

Not sure how long they'll keep the beast, but with a free, new rental at my disposal, take your time boys.

Work to be performed:

R1010 Fuel Sensor\Module Recall
Diagnose any existing electrical issues pertaining to the gauges
Diagnose any Transmission issues (if any)

Crossing my fingers hoping they can get her back to good quickly. Outside of these issues, I still love my truck. Going from a Lightning to a Dodge Hemi Quad Cab to the Titan, that says alot.

Service Quality and Response Time for Maroone Nissan: 4.5 out of 5. Once notified they were quick to jump on the issue, diagnose the problems, arrange a rental, having it ready for me when I arrived, and got me on my way within an hour or less. Kudos to Maroone. They have improved their customer service lately three fold.

I'll update the post if I hear back anything from the dealer.

~J.

baseballfanz · Aug 16, 2010

I hope they take care of you. Sounds like a bunch of troubles for an 08 with only 18K miles.
Should be under warranty right?

Yahooligan · Aug 16, 2010

I don't understand the "52X versus 72X" you're talking about, that doesn't really make any sense unless it's a code their automated battery test tool spits out.

If you have a short or your alternator isn't producing enough juice then I can see a low-voltage situation causing all your issues, including the transmission. The computers have a minimum voltage requirement in order to function, if the voltage drops below that then they will simply stop working. That said, I'm surprised your truck hasn't stalled. To experience issues again 2 days after buying a new battery there's got to be something else going on, hopefully they can figure it out fast and fix it for good. Definitely falls within the warranty unless you have some aftermarket electronics installed that could be causing the problem. Have you replaced the stereo head unit with an aftermarket HU or anything like that? Could be something causing chatter on the CAN bus, basically flooding it so that the modules can't talk to each other reliably. Think of it as a DoS attack on your truck's computer network.

Keep us updated!

JakeInFla · Aug 17, 2010

Warranty Coverage: Yep

52X-72X = 520 Cold Cranking Amps versus 720 CCA range. I hoped the new battery install would resolve the gauge memory issues, but with the stuttering and odd behavior, the gauge cluster itself or circuits imbedded into it have to be problematic from the factory.

After the battery install the Issues actually got worse. I don't have alot of faith in their batteries though. Once they figure it all out I plan to demand a refund or a credit of some kind and will most likely drop an Optima in the near future to handle a medium sound system.

Truck is completely stock with the exception of the exhaust. Non RF, basic 6 disc changer is all she has in her at the moment.

The only draw on the power is my cell phone charger which is consistently plugged in and is led illuminated. Any chance that would draw enough power to render the battery drained? Doubt it, but I guess anything is possible.

JakeInFla · Aug 18, 2010

*Update* Re: Dead Gauges \ Batter Replacement Issues

*Update*

I spoke with the Service Manager today. He claims they removed the "Sure Start" battery assist system the dealer installed, as moving the connecting wires appeared to trigger part of the gauge fluctuation.

The main catalyst appears to be the connecting pins of the gauges and the housing of the pins it adheres to. They were able to reproduce the issue several times, and are now trying to determine if they can repair the issue, replace the connector, or if an entire new gauge cluster\with connections is needed.

He asked if I wanted them to re-install the Shure Start system. Basically the dealer installs them on all the new vehicles and tries to trump up the purchase price with them. He said Nissan actually frowns on these units being installed as they seem to cause more problems than they solve.

Unreal!

I told him to leave it off, but I'm going to demand a credit of some kind for it, even if its some accessories. Maybe I can get them to install Fog lights? What do they go for at the dealer these days?

Anyway...That's the update.

~J.

*Update 2* - Called the Service Manager back during lunch and explained due to my paying for the Sure Start system, and due to it being part of a problem that has rendered my gauges and computer cache abilities to store data, I want fog lights installed to restore my faith in the dealership. Response: "I'll see what I can do.".

JakeInFla · Aug 19, 2010

*UPDATE* - 8/19/2010

Current status is as follows:

* After extensive testing they determined I was right all along and they have replaced the entire gauge cluster.

* Fuel Module Recall (R1010) replacement is in process

* Sure Start Battery System has been removed, per my request

*And...as compensation for the Sure Start system...

New Fog Lights and switch are now installed, FREE OF CHARGE!!!

Can you say..."Redemption"?

Really glad the gauge issues will (hopefully) be resolved. Hats off to Dan (Service Manager) for making the Fog Light install happen!

He asked if they could keep her overnight to ensure everything is fully functional and reliable. If I don't get fired\laid off tomorrow this will turn out to be a very good week after all!

(Knocks on wood and his Irish head just in case)

~J.

JakeInFla · Aug 20, 2010

*Final Update*

Headed over at lunch to pick up the Beast. After a few walk arounds Tony, one of the service reps noticed a nickel sized dent in the "New" Altima rental's driver's side fender. They were going to charge me to fix it, but they decided to eat it as a wash given I paid for a new battery due to all the gauge\sure start issues.

Gauges are working well now. The true test is in the coming days to ensure they retain the settings, mileage specifics, and the gauges themselves remain static and functional, but I'm pretty sure they'll be ok from here.

They swapped in a new left side light controller to allow fog light control. The thing looks like a damn Star Wars Light Saber! Too cool!

Fog lights look great. After a good bath and a wax this weekend I'll post a few pics for the hell of it. All in all these guys restored my faith in dealership service. Dan and Tony really did go the extra mile and then some for me on this issue and I plan to email a few key people at the dealership and Nissan to let them know it.

Anyone in South Florida - Miami-Dade or Broward (Fort Lauderdale)area should head to Maroone Nissan on Pines Boulevard and Douglas Road (Pembroke Pines) for their sales or service needs! They take good care of the customer! Period.

The End.

~J.

JakeInFla · Aug 20, 2010

Ok, so it's a slow Friday at the office so I took some pics after moving the beast due to some idiot woman who chooses the one spot next to the truck in a sea of empty parking spaces and continually parks 2 inches away. Moved the truck, took the pics. She's dirty and grimy, but screw it, I'm bored.

JakeInFla · Aug 27, 2010

Re: Dead Gauges \ Battery Replacement Issues

Update - Test Results:

* The new gauges are retaining all their data\settings properly now.
* Gauge needles no longer exhibit the stutter upon start-up
* Fuel Level appears to be accurate at all levels.
* Fog Lights are fully functional and provide a good amount of added road illumination for night time driving.

~J.

bestatchess · Aug 27, 2010

Re: *Update* Re: Dead Gauges \ Batter Replacement Issues

JakeInFla said:
He asked if I wanted them to re-install the Shure Start system. Basically the dealer installs them on all the new vehicles and tries to trump up the purchase price with them. He said Nissan actually frowns on these units being installed as they seem to cause more problems than they solve.

Which generates warranty work resulting in further revenue to the dealer. Brilliant.

tyberious7 · Jun 28, 2011

what does the sure start system look like, ive got the same problems. problem starting, gauges work until after startup, they all die and bounce around for about 4-7 seconds.

Dead Gauges \ Batter Replacement Issues

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