Experiencing issues with your Infiniti G35 not starting and finding that your car scanner won’t connect can be frustrating. It’s a common problem that many Infiniti G35 owners encounter, often indicated by symptoms like the engine cranking without starting and an inability to pull diagnostic trouble codes using an OBD2 scanner. Let’s delve into potential causes and troubleshooting steps if you find your Infiniti G35 in this predicament.
One of the first things to consider when your OBD2 scanner fails to link to your Infiniti G35’s computer is the car’s electrical system. A blown fuse is a prime suspect. As the original poster mentioned, a dealership initially pointed to a fuse issue. While they deemed it unusual for that particular fuse to blow, fuses are designed to protect electrical circuits from overloads, and a surge can cause them to fail. It’s wise to thoroughly check all fuses, not just in one location. Your Infiniti G35 has fuse boxes both under the hood and inside the cabin. Visually inspect each fuse for a broken filament. Even if a fuse appears fine, it’s a good practice to test it with a multimeter to confirm continuity.
If fuse checks come back negative, meaning all fuses are intact, the issue might be slightly deeper. The fact that the service engine soon light is also off, coupled with the scanner connection failure, strongly suggests a power supply problem to the car’s computer (ECU) or the OBD2 port itself. It’s possible that a relay responsible for powering these systems has failed. Relays are essentially electrical switches, and like fuses, they can wear out or malfunction. Consulting your Infiniti G35’s repair manual or wiring diagrams will be crucial to identify the relevant relays and fuses that power the ECU and OBD2 port.
Beyond fuses and relays, consider the possibility of wiring issues. Damaged or corroded wiring can interrupt the communication pathway between the OBD2 port, the ECU, and other critical systems. Inspect the wiring harness around the OBD2 port for any visible damage. Furthermore, check the ground connections. A poor ground connection can cause a multitude of electrical problems, including issues with scanner connectivity and engine starting.
If you’ve ruled out simple electrical faults like fuses and relays, and wiring appears to be in good condition, the problem could potentially lie with the ECU itself or the OBD2 port. While less common, these components can fail. Before jumping to conclusions about a faulty ECU, ensure the OBD2 port is functioning correctly. You can test the OBD2 port for power and ground using a multimeter to verify if it’s receiving the necessary voltage.
In summary, when your Infiniti G35 won’t start and your car scanner fails to connect, begin with a comprehensive fuse and relay check. If these are not the culprits, investigate wiring and ground connections. Only after exhausting these possibilities should you suspect more complex issues like ECU or OBD2 port malfunctions. Using a car scanner is a fundamental step in modern car diagnostics, and resolving its connection issues is key to further troubleshooting your Infiniti G35’s starting problem.
