I believe the factory radio kills the battery. I have had this problem before[twice]. The dealer changed the radio both times. The problem had been absent for over a year before returning. The Car is no longer under warranty. Has someone experienced this problem with this car?
I'm sure the problem has returned because I have removed the radio fuse. Now, the car starts without a problem. I have let it sit for a week, 3 times in the past month. Help please! My car only has 45,000 miles on it, I've had it for 12 years. No problems for the first 5 years.
This is a very common and frustrating problem with the G37, and you've already done the most important troubleshooting step yourself by removing the fuse. The fact that the car now starts reliably proves that the radio is the source of a parasitic battery drain.
A parasitic drain is a condition where a component in the car's electrical system continues to draw power even when the car is turned off. While a small amount of draw is normal to power things like the clock or security system, a faulty component can cause a significant drain that kills the battery, especially after the car sits for a day or two.
You're correct that this is a known issue with the factory radio unit in some Infiniti G37 models. It's often related to a fault in the internal circuit board that causes the unit to not properly "shut down" after the ignition is turned off. As you've seen, this can happen intermittently, making it difficult for a dealer to diagnose.
Here is some advice on what to do next:
Confirm the diagnosis with a multimeter: If you want to be absolutely sure before spending money, you can perform a "parasitic draw test" with a multimeter. You would disconnect the negative battery cable and connect the multimeter in between the cable and the battery post. With the radio fuse installed, the multimeter would show a high amperage draw. When you remove the radio fuse, the draw should drop to a normal level (typically under 50 milliamps). This will give you definitive proof to take to a repair shop.
Have the radio repaired or replaced: Since the problem has returned and you're no longer under warranty, you have a few options:
- Have the dealer replace it: This is the most expensive option, but it will get you a new factory unit. Since they've done it twice already, you might have some leverage to get a discount.
- Use a third-party repair service: There are companies that specialize in repairing factory car radios and navigation units. They can often fix the circuit board for a fraction of the cost of a new unit. You would have to remove the radio and ship it to them.
- Install an aftermarket radio: This is a popular option. You can get a modern, feature-rich head unit with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto that will likely be more reliable than the original factory unit. This also guarantees that you won't have this specific problem again.
For now, keeping the fuse removed is a temporary fix that will allow you to drive the car. However, you will not have a radio, and your clock may not keep time. This is not a good long-term solution, but it's fine for the time being.
