02 Q45 - almost a horror story (starter, key lock ?)

[rashid11]

took mine out to a nearby car wash this past Sun. The car emerges all shiny and stuff, they wave me in. The key goes in, turn it to start the engine - faint clicking and nothing happens.

OK, car being almost 10 YO and on its second battery, may be battery got weak. The car wash is well prepared for stuff like that. A car pulls up, we hookup jumper cables ... same thing. After few more minutes, they pushed the car to a side.

I figure - let me replace the battery, JIC. Few blocks away there's an auto shop. Walked in, got a me a new battery. Wife shows up in another car we had, with a bag of wrenches. Replace the battery, same thing.

Hmm ... figure I will tow it and attempt to hot-start . Noticed that the wheels were at a slight turn, attempt to straighten them ... bam ! - the steering wheel lock kicks in . Driver side window is down, wheels are at an angle and nothing I do lets me to unlock the darn steering column. At this point I was not even sure I could get it towed with wheels locked like that. While the area is safe and I wouldn't hesitate to leave the car there overnite, not with a window down I wouldn't !

Sweating bullets, not a happy camper. Out of the glove box comes out owner manual and I have discover something I never knew - the metal key can actually be used in leu of plastic one, to unlock the column. Metal key goes in, another 5 minutes of frantic turning of the key, putting it in and out, and finally I unlock the column !

Plastic key goes in, this time there not event the faintest of the clicking sound anymore. Hood goes up, look at breakers, starter relay, some shaking etc. Get back in, still no cigar. And then, all of a sudden, I finally hear CLICK and then it felt like starter turned a bit. Few more turns and I get it started. She ran just fine.

So - what could it be ? Is it a starter ? Starter relay ? Back steering wheel lock ?
Dont want to get stranded like that again

[elwesso]

That kinda sounds like a starter relay.. Usually what happens is the starter relays will have a faint click.. Usually when the relays go bad they still click, but dont make the connection properly.. If you bang on the relay with something blunt and it starts working again, then thats your sign..

Usually with starter relays they will eventually work after a bunch of tries.. In other words, if you keep trying to start the car eventually it will work. I have a really flaky starter relay, and I usually go bang on it with a screwdriver until it decides to play nice... It will work fine 51 weeks out the week, and then decides it wants a vacation.. I have a spare in the car in case it sees its final demise...

The relay will cost like $20 to replace, and its cheap insurance and something nice to eliminate if it happens again.

[rashid11]

local autozone has replacement part

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/ ... 412166_0_0_

will pick er up in the evening and report here .

[rashid11]

Upon closer examination, the part # I quoted aint the right one. But I might as well replace
that one too, for good measure ?

Infiniti appears to call the starter relay a "park/neutral position relay", according to
http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Q45/2002_Q4 ... Q45/sc.pdf, page #21

Can somebody confirm that ? There's an autozone Duralast part # for "starter relay" - 19933,
at
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/ ... 155089_0_0_

[elwesso]

dont buy stuff like that from autozone, get it from Infiniti... The chances it will fit properly are slim to none...

It appears you are correct, the starter relay is built into the "inhibitor switch", as its also called sometimes, which prevents the starter from coming on if the car is in anything but park or neutral..

Would be a decent place to start, however the fact that the steering column didnt wanna unlock has me concerned that it might be something with the ignition switch.

[xerexabante]

From reading your post. I think it is your starter going out, I had the same issue. Changed starter everything is fine now. Call Meyers Auto Parts in Las Vegas $149.00 reman lifetime warranty. I changed mine myself on a lift. You need a 24inch extension for top bolt of starter between Compressor and block. Unbolt engine mounts then support engine for more room, move up and or down for access.

[rashid11]

Picked up a starter relay @ AutoZone. $13-something. I look at it and what do I see ? It is a genuine Nissan relay, but it looks like someone smeared the Nissan logo with a tip of a soldering iron or something like that, to conceal the name.

It surely works fine, I cranked her a few times and it starts every time (still not a proof of a fix), but WTF ? Will never know if someone had replaced theirs and returned the old part after messing with it or is it something "Duralast" brand is responsible for ....

[rtcurry]

Hi there, first time poster. I think I had a similar starting problem on my 2002 Q45...woud just click...but rarely and then later on in the day/hour/5 minutes it would fire right up like normal. I'm guessing the starter relay is to blame as noted in posts here...you say you bang on it with a screwdriver? Where do you bang with said screwdriver, just so I know in case (when) it happens again so I can give that a shot? Thank you!

[loystock]

Welcome to NICO. This is the best online resource for Q45.

First, verify the battery connections are clean and tight and that battery voltage is >12.5VDC. Otherwise, you can have starting problem.

The "Starter Relay" is located in the Fusible Link and Relay Box in the engine compartment, pax side. The "Starter Relay" referred to is actually the Park Neutral Position (PNP) switch which is used to ensure starting requirements are met before the engine is cranked. You will find the label for each relay in the Relay Box cover.

[BASHMAN]

I have been having the same issues with my 02 Q45. I have to crank te key a few times before it connects. Is there a way to know if its the relay or the starter itself?
Thanks

[rashid11]

My $.02:

Start by replacing "park/neutral" relay, aka starter relay. Rather inexpensive and is a good thing to do anyway. $15, DIY.

If the problem doesn't go away, this is where it gets interesting. You can have dealer run Consul II diag on starter. Not sure if passing it necessarily gets you a bill of good health - so u might as well skip it.

So if the relay doesn't fix it, I'd replace the starter. In US, you should be able to get a rebuilt starter for $160 or so , after returning your old one to them. DIY

And the last resort is the steering column lock. Something like that should probably be done at a dealer and is likely to cost a small fortune in parts and labor. YMMV

[BASHMAN]

Just when to the dealer yesterday to get an idea what they charge to replace the starter.
Hold on to your seats... $900 for part and labor...
Anyone know of a reasonable mechanic near Claremont, CA?

[loystock]

It seems too early for the starter to fail. Did you verify it's bad?

[Q45man1]

Bashman - I have taken both of my Q's to CarZone (818-373-1330) in San Fernando Valley. While there, I met fellow Infiniti owners that live as far as Riverside. Owners are former master techs at Miller Infiniti. I have recommended this shop to other Q owners. Contact William or Donald and tell them you are referred by Percy.