02 Q45 - Manual shift switches

[jp3.02q45]

Just a heads up, I recently ran into a problem with my '02 Q's shifter, and I thought I would share what I've learned here.

To begin with, here's what happened...passenger spilled a large beverage directly on top of my shifter. Two days later, I'm driving the car in automatic transmission mode, when the dashboard indicator lights up to indicate that I'm in manual shifting mode, 4th gear. That has persisted for several days, the indicator never returning to "D". Apart from that, the car's running fine. Shifts through every gear correctly and there are no other problems.

I finally got around to disassembling the center console and shifter mechanism yesterday. I found out that the "manual shift up" and "manual shift down" switches were completely gummed up and frozen. I tried cleaning them out with pcb cleaner, and got a little movement out of them, but they are still not functioning correctly. I also found another switch, which I think the FSM refers to as the "manual mode" switch".

So I call up the local Infiniti dealer in an attempt to order these switches. They are unable to identify what the FSM calls the "manual mode" switch. They tell me that there's a "neutral/park" switch, and the "shift up/down" switches. Okay, so I give up on finding the "manual mode" switch at Infiniti and just ask for a quote on the "up/down" switches. $97 each. Yeah...okay.

**EDIT**

Originally I had posted info on how to order replacement switches for much less than Infiniti sells them for. Unfortunately, the switches I listed will not work, so I've removed that information. Here are the technical specs for the manual shift switches, for anyone who would like to track down their own replacements.

OEM switch is a Cherry Electronics DG or DR series switch
SPDT
5A @ 30VDC
pin plunger
snap-in actuator
short solder terminals

As soon as I find replacements, I'll update this info.

[axm203]

I found a used vent I needed for my F50 on Ebay, not sure if you'd have the same luck with what you need(uncommon). Craigslist may yield a partout for you. Unless you want new parts.

[jp3.02q45]

I ended up removing all of the switches again, soaking them in electronic parts cleaner overnight, blowing them out with compressed air, and re-installing. Whew, it worked this time. Everything's back to normal.

I contacted Cherry electronics about the OEM switches and they were less than helpful. As long as you retain your OEM metal snap-in actuators, though, it shouldn't be too hard to locate an adequate replacement switch from a variety of manufacturers. All of the specs for the switch one would need are in my OP.

The only thing different about the OEM switch from your run of the mill switch is its power rating, which is 5 amps @ 30 VDC.

AXM, thanks for the suggestions. Hopefully if someone runs into a similar problem in the future, this thread will turn up in search.