I have been around and around with the dealer over my 2003 Q45 active damping "sport suspension" not working. I always keep the car in SPORT mode, but one day the light didn't come on and the car began to drive like it was in NORMAL suspension mode, which allows for a lot of lean in turns and is just a little too cushy a ride for my liking. Had it to the dealer 2 times now. First time he recommended I replace the rocker switch on the dash....the one that goes from NORMAL to SPORT. I luckily found a switch on Ebay because the part is discontinued by Infiniti. New switch had no effect. Went back to dealer for round two. I handed dealer the SERVICE MANUAL pages that detail how to use the CONSULT-II diagnostic tool. Dealer said he used the CONSULT-III (newer) tool, and "all the lights showed up on the computer as working just fine." So my dilemma is, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM THAT WILL NOT ALLOW IT TO GO INTO SPORT MODE? WHY DOESN'T IT SWITCH INTO SPORT SUSPENSION? DEALER HAS NO ANSWERS. Extremely annoying....any FORUM assistance would be appreciated!!

It certainly sounds like the suspension has gone into it's "failsafe" mode.

Have you tried the self diagnostics starting on page SCS-19 of the Factory Service Manual? That's where I would start...

Heath

Thanks for the reply, Wes....Yes tried the self diagnostic but the switch on the dash does not work....I even purchased a new switch and still no light....

Steviek1 wrote:I have been around and around with the dealer over my 2003 Q45 active damping "sport suspension" not working. I always keep the car in SPORT mode, but one day the light didn't come on and the car began to drive like it was in NORMAL suspension mode, which allows for a lot of lean in turns and is just a little too cushy a ride for my liking. Had it to the dealer 2 times now. First time he recommended I replace the rocker switch on the dash....the one that goes from NORMAL to SPORT. I luckily found a switch on Ebay because the part is discontinued by Infiniti. New switch had no effect. Went back to dealer for round two. I handed dealer the SERVICE MANUAL pages that detail how to use the CONSULT-II diagnostic tool. Dealer said he used the CONSULT-III (newer) tool, and "all the lights showed up on the computer as working just fine." So my dilemma is, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM THAT WILL NOT ALLOW IT TO GO INTO SPORT MODE? WHY DOESN'T IT SWITCH INTO SPORT SUSPENSION? DEALER HAS NO ANSWERS. Extremely annoying....any FORUM assistance would be appreciated!!

- you need another stealership

R

at almost 200,000 miles the shocks are certainly wornout if original.replace with aftermarket sport shocks and call it a day.lookat koni,tokiko,kyb,and any other reputable shock manufacturer.

Shocks are brand new OEM, worked fine for first few hundred miles, then sport light went out

By the way, Qship, I don't believe there are aftermarket shocks available for the '03 Q45 without doing a total retrofit....and after spending a ton on the oem shocks,i am not spending a ton more....although I got a good deal on them and had my mechanic install them....I am looking for solutions to my existing active damping suspension system problem....I am assuming it's one of the control units, but the consult-III unit didn't show a problem....maybe I should go to another "stealer" for their opinion...

When you get the shocks, do they come with new actuators?

If you mean the sensors that mount on top of each shock, the answer is no, but they worked perfectly when installed and then just suddenly stopped after maybe 3-4 months...

Sounds like something got messed up in the shock replacement process then... I'd start with looking for an unplugged sensor or actuator near the work that was done. Beyond that it's time to check for proper voltage at the control module and then follow things from there.

Heath

Thanks, Heath....I think the sensors just bayonet mount right on top of each shock...pretty easy to remove and put back on...So not sure what for messed up.....wouldn't the Consult III have noted a control module issue or voltage problem?

If you trust their diagnosis... but something is clearly wrong if the switch isn't behaving properly.

Isn't there a way to manually set the front shocks and override the electronic system since its not working?? Flat blade screw driver adjustment at the top maybe?

Update: I just purchased a used set of front shock actuators for a similar model Q and it had no effect on the SPORT suspension system, which is still not working. So I have replaced the switch on the dash and the two actuators, the two factory front shocks and still not active damping working.....any further thoughts from anyone? Thanks for your help.