Please help with some active conversion info!!!!!

[redmanfx]

Ladies and gentlemen, I am in some desperate need of information concerning the Front Pump accumulator removal on an active conversion to normal suspension. Please do not put this in the Infiniti on-line mechanic section because I haven't recieved an answer twice before on this same subject.

I have removed all the active accumulators, tubing, lines, the reservoir, cooling fan, active radiator and everything that has to do with the active system except the front pump accumulator attached to the belts. Here's why. If I remove this pump and the pulley connected to it I have to shorten the belt system. I have learned form Joe at everything Infiniti that the front pump accumulator is also the power steering pump as well. It seems that one half is the pump for the active system and the other half is the PS pump. If I remove it all together I have to get a new PS pump and different belts and pulley's because non active systems have thicker belts or something along those lines.

I know some of you guys have already converted your cars from active to normal suspension. What did you do about the front pump accumulator. I've been told to loop it back on itslef with a little fluid in there but I can't. There doesn't seem to be a way to connect those hoses. I've lost Glenn's number and web site info to ask him so some-one please help me. Keith hasn't returned my e-mail and I'm getting the run around.

I've got my brakes done, new slotted rotors, steel braided brake lines, new front upper links and so much more done and this is holding me up.

HELP!!

red

[ScottJackson]

I'm not much help, but I do have a standard susp Q parts car. The belts are indeed a bit different. The power steering on my active Q is acting up and I may need your pump if it turns out that mine is shot. If this is the case, I could trade you for my good pump from my parts Q along with new belt and the pulleys to convert it over, if that's what needs to be done.

[GreenQ45a]

YO Red..

How's it going?

I was wondering what your doing with the old system and the one you got from DR Q////

[ScottJackson]

looks like it's probably my steering rack that needs replacing, not the pump. But, do you have your old active parts still? I'm thinking mainly the right rear strut assembly (actuator/accumulator) as mine is slowly leaking that expensive green fluid... I mean FRUID as it says on the box that the fluid containers come in.

[redmanfx]

YO Red..

How's it going?

I was wondering what your doing with the old system and the one you got from DR Q////

One spare system was sent to Keith for Ryan in AZ but FedEX lost all 9 accumulators just miles from the recharge Depot. Another spare set I picked up at the junk yard has been sold and the set I just removed is sitting looking pretty. The Multivalve unit is going to Jay on Wed, so I have 8 left(10th one never gets recharged) including the the strut accumulators.

I wanted Ryan Scott to have them since Fedex lost his package, but he's selling his car. So I guess they are up for grabs. Scott, I'd like to keep the strut set together if I could.

I know somebody out there can answer or solve my front pump question. DR Q. where are YOU??? aaacomp???? Keith???? Big Joe???

It took me 22 hrs to remove all the active stuff minus the front pump. That's Diy time with Corona breaks and chit chat time.

red

[3Q Jay]

Steve- I'm not the expert, so don't know if this is any good or not.... my guess is that you leave some active fluid in the 2nd stage, but disconnect the solenoids so that you don't build pressure. what i mean is keep it wet so it don't seize, but don't have it generate pressure that you don't need.

also, i'm not sure if you were associating the mv unit with an accumulator [above post], but just so we're not signal crossed--the one I'm buying is the LF [driver's] unit with the funky reverse thread bypass screw, and not the RF control valve unit that has the small horizontal twist- in accumulator.

[redmanfx]

We're straight Jay. I'll be sending that out tomorrow.

red

[redmanfx]

I'm very surprised that there isn't anybody that can help me here. This isn't something I can find in the FSM and it seems some who know just don't want to help. I've called two Infiniti Dealerships and you would think I was pulling teeth or something. I don't want to screw up my car, so just shoot me for doing this myself instead of paying a ton of $$$$$$$ to have someone else do it.

This is the third time I've asked about the front pump accumulator here at NICO and I'm fully disappointed now. The knowledge base seems to have left NICO. I hope someone proves me wrong and can help me out here. I've tried many different things and have come up short of a satisfactory solution.

red

[Jeff Williams]

The knowledge base seems to have left NICO. I hope someone proves me wrong and can help me out here.

red

Red, sorry, no help here. I suggest you take Scott up on his offer for the standard PS pump and pulleys.

I too, have noticed that not many people are browsing NICO Infiniti General, lately. Maybe it is just the summer, or something.

Jesda and Wes used to post about 20 times a day. Now it is less than 5.

I too have been spending more and more time on the Corvette forum. There is about 2,000 people reading the C5 General forum at any given time. Posts get added about every 5 seconds.

It is kinda lonely, here.

[redmanfx]

A new ps pump means new pulleys, belts, the works and I was trying to avoid that. More money! If I do that then I might as well take down the rest of the engine and do a 260K cleaning. Everything off, cleaned, replaced or what have you. Even more money! And we all know how fun that would be!! The only real problem with that is I want to drive my car now. I've done so much in the past month and a half that I want to feel the results and the power of the Q....

I had a mechanic look at it tonight and he doesn't know what to do either. He doesn't normally work on Infiniti's, but he's really sharp. Didn't matter though, he's clueless. I keep hearing replace it, but why if what's on there will work???

red

[maxnix]

Red, If you can search the ancient posts, the output was looped back into the pump.

This leaves you with a heavier pump and some additional vulnerability, but the rest of the pulley and belt hardware remains the same.

I am no expert, so please verify.

A true complete conversion to OEM non-active is a pain.
Modified by maxnix at 6:41 AM 6/8/2005

[redmanfx]

That's what I want to do and what Joe from Everything Infiniti said to do, but I couldn't get the loop back to work and the other two friends who looked at it, one of which buys salvaged cars and fixes them up for resale and the other is a certified mechanic, couldn't figure out how to do it. the hoses won't match up. It's got to be something simple, but what is it? I've checked the old post and re-read other stuff. I'll get back in there and try to loop it somehow.

Dr Q should know but doesn't respond to e-mails, Keith isn't responding and neither is anyone else who has done this.

I'm going to sell the old acitve stuff if anyone wants something. I'll post on the Infiniti classified forum.

Jay, I sent your MV today and shot you an e-mail.

red

Ps. I love my new blue racing brake fluid

[3Q Jay]

Steve- thanks for the shipping info. When i mentioned to diconnect the solenoids, i was thinking that you could 'frankenhose' the two pieces together [might need a splice pipe and some clamps], but it would be sufficient because the presseure would not be present...

hope you get it solved-

Jay

[DR.Q]

IIRC I cut one of the hoses and clamped it on where the other extra hose was. But that hose didn't stay on there very long. About a month later I heard a grinding/knocking noise from the pump and found the whole hose was gone. I ended up swapping out the ps pump/pulley/belt to standard later. Lost about more 30 lbs in the process. The car that is. It took me awhile to figure out the loopback as well, but it seemed really logical when I did. If you do opt to switch to a standard pump, make sure you get the standard pump brackets as well, because the active brackets are different. Most junkyards don't offer them with the pump.

Stephen

[GreenQ45a]

Red ..

this is Green..

I was wondering what you are gonna do with the Active CPU's .. do you still have the one from DR.Q?

I can't seem to get mine to reset..

The Actsus light has been on for a week.I ran Dry on the fluid (2days) and after I refilled her the ACTSUS light wont go off ...Keith thinks it might be the CPU...

It did this last time when I changed out the accumulators.. and one day after work I came out and the system was working.. its been about a week I have just flushed my active system and bleed it...

The car is @ normal height but the Light won't go off... I would like to try another computer...just to see if it's the CPU or the System...

Thanks Red..

If you would rather talk about this in email just let me know...

[redmanfx]

Mr. Green..

This is Mr. red.. Reservoir doggish isn't it?!!

CPU? Are you talking about the control unit on page FA-57 of the FSM? It's located passanger side rear of car. I still have it and don't have need of it. I just wasn't sure if I should remove it or not. Didn't want the Q to blow up on me or cause the car not to run..

If you would like it then I guess I can remove it .... I have no idea what to sell it for. I guess you can't get any cheaper than $40 plus shipping. What do you think?

red

[GreenQ45a]

Red,

SOLD!!

Thanks Fair price.

It will be nice to have a working tested back up ....

Did you have a steady ACTSUS light when it was removed?

Do you have one now?

let me know how the Q45c turns out.

Could you Post or Email me a list of Active parts that are left?

[redmanfx]

My Actuss light never came on except when the fluid got low. The system worked just fine. My control unit is still on the car so it never caused the light to come on. With most of the active stuff off the car now the Actuss light will remain on until all the fuses are pulled I would guess.

I'm waiting on someone to confirm if they do or don't want what I have left of the valves and accumulators and another person wants one of the G sensors. Only the control unit and a couple other G sensors are left.

I'll see about removing the control unit tomorrow when I go to get the G sensor out.

red

[texasoil]

I think I have asked for list and asking prices. I'd like to build inventory a bit.

[redmanfx]

I've sent an e-mail in response to yours. I had forgotten about the control unit until Green had mentioned it. I hope my email is not acting up again. I'll resend it.

On other matters...

I've been driving a wide assortment of vehicles since my Q is being reconed and today I could have died! I recently started drivng a 94 Chrysler Concord, which had a freak thing happen to it today. I was about a block away from my Apt doing about 35 mph when the car started to wobble as if the wheel was coming off. The car immediately jerked to the right and then went slam to the left crossing the center lane, the other side of the road and opposite Shoulder which contained a ditch! I freaked out when the car did not respond to my initial correction of the wheel. I'm thinking I'm going into the ditch when I finally got control and got back on the road, The correct side of the road.

I got to my parking lot and jumped out of the car to find the drivers side front wheel to be toe'd out as if I'm making a left hand turn. The passenger side wheel was dead on straight as it should have been. The Steering rack has a bolt that bolts into each side tire rod bushing and the drivers side was gone!! I foung the bolt and looked at the passenger side as well. Someone changed those bushing a while back and never put the Lock nut or pins back in and I could have been seriously hurt had this happened on the hwy not to mention if another car had been oncoming in the other lane. The bushing was half chewed away!!

The lord was looking out for me today and I'm greatful he loves me.

Needless to say I did not get to my Q to loop the pump and pull the Control unit and G sensor. Looking like Thursday for that.

red

[3Q Jay]

dang. that'll get your adrenaline up! glad to hear you're ok.

MV scheduled to arrive tomorrow--i'm looking forward!

[redmanfx]

Today I looped the front pump back to itself and believe that it will hold. Took about an hour to satisfy my perfectionist self, but I'm happy with the job. I don't see why the guys that looked at it couldn't see how to do it. Just goes to show you how unfamiliar others are with the active Q and why it's such a rare sight to see one it perfect working order.

I played with my new speed bleeders and to me they aren't so speedy!! No such thing as one man bleeders IMO as well. Blue brake fluid everywhere.

I got everything done including patching the hole in my tire and was ready to take her out for a ride when..................... when my battery died!!! Arrrgghhh... The pain.

Tomorrow I drive her for the first time in two months... With all the new stuff ....HHMMMM

red

[GreenQ45a]

Any work on the controller??

I miss Active Body Control

[redmanfx]

Controller comes out tomorrow. I promise!

I finally got my Q back on the road with all the improvements and I can't tell you how much I missed that car. Just taking it out to check the new brake system and rotors brought joy and happiness. The car is now converted with allot of new things added. The brakes are soft and have to be bled again as I'm not happy with how sluggish they are and how I have to pump them to get a good feel on the brake peddle. Must have some air in the lines still.

The drive is so smooth and of course I had to go busting down the most curved road I could find to test the new suspension with the blues. I'm very happy with the results. The loop back on the front pump worked very well and I'm satisfied it will hold up just fine. The car is filthy and needs a good wash from being worked on for two straight months, but Ohh how I love this car.

I swithced the antenna and it still doesn't work so I have to look for some fuse or something tomorrow. I am so happy now.......

red

[3Q Jay]

AWESOME! my first ride after getting the active up was like that. couldn't stop smiling!

2 thoughts on your brakes: 1 [you prolly already know], but because of the abs-the beeld sequence is different than the cars we drove when we were 20....LR,RR,LF,RF.

2. i bought a motive power brake bleeder [sorry, can't find the picture showing my setup] doesn't seem to be popular on this board, but i'm very happy with it, particularly after the cast iron collar mod. no leaks at all, easy 1 person job. biggest hassel is snaking the chains around the bottom of the master.

[redmanfx]

Mr Green, this is Mr Red.....

That control unit is a bastard to get to and turned out more difficult than origionally thought. After working on my Q I went to take the controller out and riped out the back seat and got ready and found out that's not how to take it out. Looks like it has to be done from the trunk and I have to take my speaker out to get to it. YUCK!! Looks like tomorrow or Weds. I'm going to have to charge 100.00 labor

Today got my JWT TCU and ECU put in along with the tower brace(again) from Jeff. Bled the brakes again and some other minor engine stuff.

red

[GreenQ45a]

Red all you need to do is use a 10mm wrench on the wire harness and then a 10mm socket on the side bolts...should take 10- 15 mins after you remove the panel that blocks off the gas tank.... DONT remove your speakers.

Thanks again...

I want pics of the new setup...

And Can I have the "a" off your car?

[texasoil]

What a waste. The active pump has the PS pump mounted on the back of it. Gotta either keep it or refit with newe/used standard pump, hoses, belts, tensioner. Otherwise loop the pump discharge back into the the suction side, solenoids disconnected. Keep some oil in the hoses to circulate and keep the active pump lubricated and clean. Should last indefinitely.

I have found the 'back plate' sealing O-ring on the PS pump side gets damaged from not often enough PS fluid changes. Even short duration exposure to air causes rapid polymerization /cracking of this seal, leading to loss of 'side' seal on the PS pump rotor and no pressure.

Experience can be a very good teacher, but you must carefully search out the causes of failure to avoid them.

[redmanfx]

I did the loop back with the Active PS pump about a year ago when I converted and have been good to go ever since. No problems so far. Have it full with Mobil 1 transmission fluid so it won't dry and seize. I will be changing the loop hose during this current overhaul in progress. Didn't want to get new pulley's, belts and non active PS pump. I'll sacrifice the 1 mpg less on the road for now. At least until I get my JDM engine.

[tkd_q45]

I know Chan did his conversion had his tech take a regular PS pump and replace the pully with the active pully. I was skimming this post but did not seem to see this simple solution mentioned.