So I figured out why the purchase of my 2012 M Hybrid was too good to be true

[Davealan]

Some of you may have seen my initial posts in May when I was considering the purchase of my 2012 M Hybrid at only $16,000 with 48,000 miles. At that time I was concerned that the package was too good to be true.

I took it to a mechanic that specializes in Hybrids and the car received a good bill of health. The car's backup camera did not work and it took 5 weeks to get it repaired with the auto broker paying for all of it and live has been great since.

In the past weeks as it got cooler I noticed a mist forming on the outside of the windshield on the passenger side and figured the defroster vent was not working properly - at the suggestion of Ilya I have been trying some different settings...

Well today was the 1st really cold day down here in South Eastern Virginia @ 49F and I actually set the temperature for more than 70F and guess what NO FRIGGING HEAT at all! I set it to 90F on re-circulation and nothing??

I would love some comments so that I can get this figured out - heated steering wheel and seats will only go so far! Thanks

[SwissCheeseHead]

It's probably your heater core if it's not generating any heat at all. If you can, I would try to backflush the system to see if it's clogged. If that doesn't work you may have to replace your heater core. Replacing a heater core is probably about $2500 from when I was quoted a few years ago.

[Debonair]

If the heater core was leaking they may have bypassed it under the hood. Find where the hoses enter the firewall and see if they are hooked up.

The other possible issue is the blend door that opens to let air pass thru the core. There have been several threads on similar issues lately.

[Davealan]

Thanks SCH, I have been watching a bunch of youtube videos on back washing heater cores - I am not a mechanic by any means, should I be trying to take this on at home or take it to my mechanic? Looking under the hood scares me!

[SwissCheeseHead]

back washing the heater core can be done in your driveway. Changing your coolant is a relatively easy DIY job. Watch this video, for the G37, on how to drain/fill your coolant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mayYHv5vOkg
I'm not sure what the differences are between the Hybrid and gasoline engines, but if you feel that this is beyond your ability, then definitely take it to an independent mechanic that you trust.

[Malbec 56 Beast]

That sucks, good luck with this issue. I can't believe how shady people are in selling these cars.

Hope it works out.

Andy

[Malbec 56 Beast]

There was an article in MSN about there are around 500k cars getting ready to hit the market after being flooded.

I'm sure there will be a lot coming to Utah due to our lax laws on totalled vehicles.

Joke

[Davealan]

SCH, thanks for the video, very helpful as I think that is in my range.

Malbec, thanks your comments. I will be sharing the issue with the mechanic that gave it the clean bill of health!

Here is what I found yesterday after playing around with the settings, yesterdays high was 65F-

Both drivers vent had slightly warm air even when car has been running for a while and temp is at 90F.
The passenger vents were by comparison blowing bone chilling cold air

This morning I closed the 2 passenger vents and set the re-circulation to make it manageable.

[armybrat]

SCH, thanks for the video, very helpful as I think that is in my range.

Malbec, thanks your comments. I will be sharing the issue with the mechanic that gave it the clean bill of health!

Here is what I found yesterday after playing around with the settings, yesterdays high was 65F-

Both drivers vent had slightly warm air even when car has been running for a while and temp is at 90F.
The passenger vents were by comparison blowing bone chilling cold air

This morning I closed the 2 passenger vents and set the re-circulation to make it manageable.

It's also possible that your thermostat may be stuck in the open position...just a thought.

[Malbec 56 Beast]

If it was stuck wouldn't it eventually get hot?

I hope it's something like that,

I would replace/flush the coolant and replace the thermostat.

And go from there.

Good luck

[Davealan]

Update. The car is not under extended warranty (wasn't when I bought it) and a trusted mechanic believes the issue is either the 1) sun sensor and or 2) a broken or stuck blend door but to even find out about 2 they want $800 to just take the dash apart! So I have been driving with extra layers and using the heated seats & steering wheel options...

Thinking back to when the dealer had to removed the A/V head unit to fix the back up camera issue = had to take take apart dash, I am wondering if they inadvertently damaged something? Would I have any recourse on their work done in August?

Or could I have done it when I thought I was replacing the cabin air filter but found I was actually installing a cabin air filter, it is on the cold side of the car.

[Ilya]

I don't see a way for you to damage the internals of the system installing the filter. Something else happened.

[Sstupid]

It’s just a blend door actuator problem. Those damn motors are hard to get to on a lot of cars.

[mikedamageinc]

Good chance its the blend door and maybe a vacuum line or electrical plug got disconnected during the work. Good way to tell is drive with the heat set on and then check around behind the glove box to see if there is heat. If there is, then the heater core is getting coolant circulated. Where in "south east va" are you?

[Davealan]

Sstupid & Mikedmageinc,

Thanks for your comments. FYG I had it at my mechanic and they changed the sensor on the passenger side of the dash near the windscreen because it was not reading correctly but still no solution.

There is heat coming out from the center console to the back seat and per before some heat from the driver side but it dissipates as soon as you turn the blower past the 1st setting. The mechanic checked in with the local Infiniti dealer who has blend doors and actuators in stock and this makes him think it is a known weakness for the model. I will share this thread with them but have been advised that to get to the blend doors etc. to do the work will cost $800 and that is substantial.

I live in Chesapeake, just south of Norfolk, VA

[Davealan]

Update - heard back from the local Infiniti dealer who advised:

"I have seen about 3 M’s with that concern. There is a Service bulletin out for that concern.
Replace the heater core, flush the coolant system 3 times and replace the thermostat to resolve that concern.

It is a time consuming repair. The dash, center console, dash support, wiper cowl & wiper assembly all have to come out for the tech to gain access to the heater core."

So I contacted Infiniti Consumer Affairs, I made my argument but was advised as the car is no longer under warranty no consideration will be given for the known TSB issue.

Then the local Infiniti dealer came back advising "This repair would cost you roughly $3200.00."

Needless to say I will be wearing layers during the winter months until I sell it, thank god the AC is not the issue!

[Mark Linkous]

Wow. Really sorry to read of your misfortunes. The price paid provided there is no major accident history is such that I would be surprised if you could not come out close to even at many a dealership.

I honestly do not know a great deal about the h model aside from the basics, but certainly has a good reputation and are mighty quick. If the heating issues could be rectified for anything approximating a decent price, it well might make fiduciary sense to repair and sell privately considering the low mileage.

[mikedamageinc]

Man that sucks to hear. It actually sounds like too much work though. By what they are saying the thermostat is bad and the heater core is clogged, which would also mean there is junk in the radiator since its all the same fluid. I would check a couple things- after driving, feel the heater hoses (two 1" hoses going from the water pump front of engine to somewhere near the firewall) both should be warm. Also check both radiator hoses. if one hose isn't hot like the other, then there is a flow problem. Also take the coolant cap off (WHEN IT IS COLD!) and just see if the fluid looks dirty.

I've only taken my car in to Priority once but they were very fair and went out of their way to not over charge me but you never know, could be a shady tech that is looking at your car. Also it is ridiculous that the dash has to come out. I've replaced many on different cars and they are never fun but that's just crazy.

If you have time during the day on a lunch break or something I could take a quick look depending on where you work, PM me.

[Davealan]

Good Day Mikedamageinc,

Thanks for your comments and offer. I sent a PM and will await your reply. Dave

[mikedamageinc]

Hey Dave, good meeting you today. Just following up, here is a link to the Factory Service Manuals: http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/M/2012/2012%20M/

For anyone following along the upper radiator hose is hot, lower radiator hose was cool, and the heater hoses warm after driving so I suspect thermostat. While that's apart I would disconnect heater hoses at the bulkhead where the battery is on non-hybrids and pour distilled through a funnel to see if it flows freely (make sure it was set to heat when turning car off).

At the same time I would investigate the blend door possibility too. The FSM should help locate it and it should be an easy check.

[DrftkingIII]

I'm having the same issue with my car, unfortunately. Car is currently getting a new heater core.

[Davealan]

Hey DK3,

Are you having the work done under warranty? If not do you mind sharing the cost and who is doing it.

Thanks, D