Where can we post the 'dumb' questions?

[ledheadmelli]

I'm new here and female, so please excuse the ignorance of mechanical issues and terms. I'd just like to keep up better, so if anyone doesn't mind explaining a few terms to me, I'd appreciate it.

What does "OEM" mean?What is a G50 and what does it have to do with a Q45? There's so many numbers flying around, I'm not sure if we're still talking about Q45s.

even dumber questions:

my antenna groans on the way down, but does work. I think it's just dirty. The sunroof hesitates on occasion. Would it be okay to squirt some wd40 in there? (Calm down, I didn't do it yet. Just wondering if it would help)

the CD changer says "ERR" and won't play. It's loaded properly, but not getting the message. It says this when no cartridge is in as well. I'm thinking (hoping) this is just a loose wire somewhere. If not, am I wrong in assuming this is cheaper to replace than repair? It's Sony, for what that's worth. If I have to drive around the Bay Area, I'm definitely going to need my Led Zep to keep the road rage at bay.

Thanks for your indulgence. Please try to keep the ***** slaps to a minimum, so I can feel free to ask more dumb questions later.

If anyone knows an Infiniti mechanic in the SF area, please refer me.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

1) OEM is an acronym for Original Equipment Manufacturer. Anything that came with your Q45 is OEM.

2) G50 is a chassis code for the Q45. Your Q45 is a first gen model. Second gen models were Y33s and the last of the Q45s were F50s.

3) Your CD changer might be dirty. Maybe there's dust/other particles that have accumulated in there. Also, are your CDs scratched? That could be a problem too...

You'll need a head cleaner to do the job...something like this:http://www.restockit.com/CDDVD...99761

4) Not too sure about the whole antenna/sunroof thing. I don't want to give you an answer on something I'm not sure about.

You can post your questions in here...even though it's for 240's, somebody should still be able to help you. Also, the search button/stickied threads are your friend...use them to full potential. zerothread/249603

[elwesso]

We have a glossary around here somewhere, I think its in the articles forum.

Anyway, the sony CD changers suck. Throw it in the garbage and get a clarion CD changer. Theyre drop in replacement, albiet only 6CD's. Last time I checked though, 6 working CD's is better than 10 non-working.

For the antenna im sure your mast is shot. Its an $18 part and a 30 minute fix.

The sunroof probably needs lubrication. The rails need cleaned really well (I woud use brake parts cleaner) and the relube with some white lithium grease. The white lithium is nice because it doesnt smell.

[maxnix]

Try cleaning your mast ith WD40 on a rag (don't spray on car paint) and then follow with light motor oil or white lithium grease similarly applied while antenna is extendding and stowing.

Sony 10 CD are not "crap", but like any deck will wear.

Not to worry for you, but Y33 were never imported into the US. The US cars were designated FY33 (as were the JDM Cimas) or FGY33 for the US model Q45.

Hopefully the attached text file with all of Q45tech's is still in Infiniti General if not in the articles page.

Eventually, you must read all posts by Q45tech. You will soon have an increased knowledge of the cost of deferred maintenance.

Welcome to NICO. Hopefully the natives will learn how to be more polite towards the gentler sex. Please watch you words, gentlemen.
Modified by maxnix at 11:41 PM 7/23/2007

[elwesso]

BTW Melanie I didnt notice this was you. Thanks for stopping in!!!! IM sure the "boys" would like you hear about your purchase.

[ledheadmelli]

Thanks for the warm welcome and good advice, gentlemen! Don't mince words on my account - my first post got censored for use of the heinous b-word - yikes!I'll try the WD40/white lithium grease (isn't that a serious tranquilizer?) first and then see how that goes. As for the stereo, I'll call in a few favors if a head cleaner doesn't do the trick. Most importantly, I need to deal with the recharging of the accumulators (I sound smarter already, huh?) and finding someone who knows what that means. I have the big fat manual and some menfolk, but I'm sure this would be out of their league. Brakes and rubber hoses, maybe. Might even try to do a little myself if the instructions are in layman's terms. Who knows?

[lino]

Welcome to Nico. It's nice to see a woman around here and one that owns Q45a!

I guess you already got the answer for OEM and G50.

My antenna groans on the way down too and I just haven't had the time to figure it out and I just replaced the mast with an oem one. My sunroof hesitates too...that's on my to do list also. You're not alone.

My CD changer was replaced by the po (previous owner) with another Sony unit. It works for some CDs, but not for others. I get an error code for a lot of them. Try using original CDs, not burnt ones and see if they work.

Regarding your accumulators, check out these sites:http://activesuspensionsystems.com/http ... nsion.com/

That is Keith's site. He is member name: texasoil and is specialized in Q45a accumulator recharging. He did all of mine.

What is the mileage of your car?

[qsiguy]

I replaced my antenna mast (just the shaft that goes up/down) but it still doesn't like to go all the way down by itself. I think my motor is weak and will need replacement. When I replaced mine I had to pull the whole antenna assembly apart to remove a broken piece of the mast cable. If it still goes up/down on it's own some cleaning and lubrication should help a lot. I'd clean/lube it and run it down/up a few times cleaning and lubing with each run down/up.

I've owned a stereo shop for years and have never replaced my Sony CD changer. I do get the same error occasionally as well tho. All I have ever done is pull off the carpet cover around the CD changer and unplug the main harness/plug for a minute and plug it back in. It will work after that usually. First few times I did it, it only worked for a week, month, or short time. As of right now, it's been working for about 1 year. Sometimes just a hard reset by powering down will get it going again. Easy to try.

Welcome to NICO.

[AlabamaDan]

I've owned a stereo shop for years and have never replaced my Sony CD changer. I do get the same error occasionally as well tho. All I have ever done is pull off the carpet cover around the CD changer and unplug the main harness/plug for a minute and plug it back in. It will work after that usually. First few times I did it, it only worked for a week, month, or short time. As of right now, it's been working for about 1 year. Sometimes just a hard reset by powering down will get it going again. Easy to try.

Welcome to NICO.

Welcome to NICO. I just love women motorheads. Wouldn't just unhooking the negative battery cable perform the reset as unplugging the harness and be easier?

[jmorasch]

Greetings and welcomes...Now about your sunroof issues.Id go with the suggestion to clean first!! then use the white grease. I was having those sluggish sunroof days on the misses Q and I tried WD40 first to tryin help. now the roof wont open without some MANual assistance this is a few months later but Im sure this was cause of it. theres also a post on here somewhere about adjusting you sunroof motor to pep it up.add some torque to it.

[elwesso]

Welcome to NICO. I just love women motorheads. Wouldn't just unhooking the negative battery cable perform the reset as unplugging the harness and be easier?

Yeah but then you have to reset your seat memory, preset radio stations, and you lose trip meter readings and stuff.

Actually one time I remember my CD changer needed resetting, i tried unplugging the battery and it didnt do anything, but when I unplugged the CD changer itself it fixed it.

[qsiguy]

Oddly enough, this was the same case for me. For some reason, unhooking the battery doesn't do the same thing. I have no explanation why. Even if it did, it's not really that hard to pop off the cd changer cover/carpet and unplug it and like Wes said, you have to reset clocks, radio, seat, etc.