Random Electrical Issues.

[SteveTheTech]

I would like to share something with the QX56 and Armada owners that may be experiencing seemingly unrelated electrical concerns now or in the future. These issues may be anything from an intermittent no start to head light issues and there are no specific guidelines for how this may occur. It seems, or at least from the last week I had at work that some of the earlier models have some issues inside the IPDM (Intelligent Power Distribution Module) that will not typically set a dtc that will indicate a failure.

In the best examples I can remember the 2004 QX with <80k exhibited an intermittent long crank and very rough idle with no codes. The truck was running low fuel pressure by ~10 psi, but at the computer was registering the fuel pump signal. I had to make the decision to remove the interior to examine what appeared to be a full tank and its pump and sending unit. After investing about 4 hours in removing the interior and carpet to access to tank access hatch. The pump tested fine but since I had already done this work for free the judgment was made to replace the pump to save money in the long run as the filter was already partially restricted. After the fuel pump replacement I kept the car for a few days to check the fuel pressure and cranking time before releasing it and declaring the repair a victory. After starting perfectly for four days (approx 15 times) I made the judgment to release the car on a Friday and as Murphys Law would dictate the car acted up as soon as the gentleman came to pick it up. No amount of explanation makes you look like you know what you are talking about. This can lead to frustration of anyone who comes near it.

If you truck starts acting funny remove the larger cover behind the battery and tap the little white box under the cover with the fuses and the wires with something like the handle end of a screwdriver. If the truck starts or stops acting up go get yourself a new IPDM.

Good Luck thanks for your time.

[jwerty1]

My shop has seen 3 ipdm issues in the last week

1 titan, no start1 qx56 was in for state inspections and wouldn't start to take out of shop, seemed very similar to recent ipdm problems, finally restarted, told the customer, customer picked up, returned on the hook the next day, ipdms are on backorder1 pathfinder cel on cat b2, intermittent stalling, restart and doesnt run right, etc....

i don't like doing cat converters on these things, but if the ipdms keep going, we might have to

[Krisl8]

Hi Steve,I have a 2004 Infiniti QX56 that was taken to the dealer back in May 2009 because I stopped at a gas station and the vehicle stalled and I couldn't get it started. The dealer at first said that I needed to replace the IPDM, then said that because the IPDM was bad, it caused all of the sparkplugs to go bad, then all 4 of the 02 sensors were bad well which then turned out that it was possibly the catalytic converter. After having everything replaced I finally got my vehicle back after it going back and forth to the dealer from what I call...process of elimination and now here we are in Oct 2009 and it just did the same thing to me yesterday...but this time I noticed that the electrical panel was fluttering and the odometer reading was fluctuating back and forth so I turned the vehicle off, when I went to turn it back on it showed the Slip and VDC off lights, but no engine light. The car would not start at this point so I had to have it towed back to the dealer. Do you have any suggestions as far as what it could be?

[SteveTheTech]

There are 3 grounds on the frame rail on the drivers side of the truck under the washer reservoir that need to be checked. The middle one is the frontmost one and for some strange reason there are several seemingly unrelated components that are grounded through this common ground.

I had one of these that would freak out and not start after a car wash but would start three times a day for 7 days but when I went to release it and had it washed for delivery it died. This kind of car and problem are very few and far between with Infinitis as a whole but things like this are the most taxing challenges we as technicians face.

[SteveTheTech]

My shop has seen 3 ipdm issues in the last week

1 titan, no start1 qx56 was in for state inspections and wouldn't start to take out of shop, seemed very similar to recent ipdm problems, finally restarted, told the customer, customer picked up, returned on the hook the next day, ipdms are on backorder1 pathfinder cel on cat b2, intermittent stalling, restart and doesnt run right, etc....

i don't like doing cat converters on these things, but if the ipdms keep going, we might have to

We stock two of them now. This really illustrates the potential problems in newer vehicles. This kind of power distribution module has been used in other car and have been causing issues for a while. These new ipdms have logic software and are actually small computers inside of them. A failure may happen in several ways and under several variables.

I've never had the pleasure of doing cats on a 5.6 yet, I have had the pleasure of watching my shop neighbor spend a day doing a set though. He does the heavy work and I take the diagnosis work. The Q45 drivers side cat is still one of my least favorite jobs that always ends up being warranty.

[jankenpo30]

I wonder if this could be the cause on my '04 QX...

Bout a week before Xmas '09, having issues starting the truck, had to jump if off. Next day, dead again, had jump it off. Ok, so got new battery. Everything good until this week.

Begining of this week, it doing the same thing, barely cranking in the mornings. Once it runs for awhile, turn off, cranks back up fine. Sits for more than 5-6 hours, has trouble again. This morning, doors wouldn't auto unlock. Dome light would come on, fade out real quick, even had trouble opening door with key. When finally got in...the CD changer was in the process of changing disks...but...but the truck cranked right up with no problems or hesitation. I checked the battery cables the other day to make sure they were good and tight..and didn't worked themselves loose on the chance hat I didn't secure them good when I put the new battery in

Until this morning, I was thinking starter. Didn't think alternator cuz she said it doesn't act like it wants to cut off when running and that it cranks right on back up afterwards. But now with this weird door/radio issue, I'm thinking maybe . .

Thoughts?

[SteveTheTech]

Starting and charging related problems are pretty few and far between but if something is staying on you will have a parasitic draw. A draw may or may not be caused by the IPDM but it may be. That is not going to be something we car really guess at over the internet, but radios are a common source of parasitic draws in other models.

The test for this involves an ammeter and has potentially catastrophic risks if performed incorrectly and should not be attempted on the wifes truck if you have never done this before. Learn from my mistakes, that is one I still have yet to live down.

If I were you what I would do it next time the thing acts up are starts to do strange things take the cover off the box behind the battery (bunch of wires and a white box) and tap on it with the handle of a hammer while having someone crank it. If it starts viola.

[sptland]

Hi Steve,I have a 2004 Infiniti QX56 that was taken to the dealer back in May 2009 because I stopped at a gas station and the vehicle stalled and I couldn't get it started. The dealer at first said that I needed to replace the IPDM, then said that because the IPDM was bad, it caused all of the sparkplugs to go bad, then all 4 of the 02 sensors were bad well which then turned out that it was possibly the catalytic converter. After having everything replaced I finally got my vehicle back after it going back and forth to the dealer from what I call...process of elimination and now here we are in Oct 2009 and it just did the same thing to me yesterday...but this time I noticed that the electrical panel was fluttering and the odometer reading was fluctuating back and forth so I turned the vehicle off, when I went to turn it back on it showed the Slip and VDC off lights, but no engine light. The car would not start at this point so I had to have it towed back to the dealer. Do you have any suggestions as far as what it could be?

Krisl8 -- did you get a resolution to this problem??? My '04 qx56 is now doing the 'EXACT' same thing that you were having trouble with. -- vehicle is starting ok - but all of the fluttering and fluctuating - and Slip - VDC light is happening .... thanks in advance

[Socaldiablo]

Those symptoms sound just like an IPDM failure. Mine failed 2 years ago (04' QX56) ....it stalled immediately after I started it from sitting all day on a fairly cold day, then flickering lights occured when I tried to restart it. It finally restarted after multiple attempts and I got it home (4 miles away) but it ran like hell getting it there. I then parked it until I could diagnose the problem the next day, which pointed to the IPDM. I ordered a new IPDM from an Infinit dealer ($138) and did the install myself and the truck has run flawless since.

[Kramos05]

Owner of a 2005 QX56, Hey anybody know where i can get an IPDM, ive spoken to the dearler near me and telling me the part is about 400 bucks

[marctronixx]

do you need the entire fuse box in the engine compartment or just the relay?

you can find one on fleabay, craigslist or your local salvage shop. also look at Armada/titan....

[topshop]

IDPM's are replaced free at the dealer for certain Armadas and QX56's.

Nissan will also often reimburse for ones that have already been done.

HTH

[marctronixx]

^IPDM