'03 M45 posessed with the Ghost of Lucas?

[M45Caliber]

My Infiniti M45 has some strange issues that surfaced in June and July 2008 – WHAT THE HECK IS IT? ANY solids thoughts appreciated --

June 24 -- Car driven to Costco (it was about 110 outside)Turned off car and went in to Costco for about 45 minutesCame out, unlocked car, started it and began driving. At the traffic light I noticed that although the AC fan was blowing on high, there was NO cool air. Then I noticed that the gear selector indicator on the dash was not registering anything, the temp gauge read “zero”, etc. (the gas gauge was OK – in fact the left ½ of the cluster was functioning).I pulled into a parking lot, placed the car in Park, turned off the ignition and removed the key. Re-inserted the key immediately and started the car. All systems operational. To date, this has not happened again.

July 5 – started the car in garage and began driving from Tempe to Phoenix. US60 to the I-10 south, at about 8 miles into the trip (around Warner – I was exiting at Ray Rd) the engine died. I was probably at around 75 MPH at the time. Tach dropped to zero. I immediately placed the trans into neutral and began coasting towards the Ray Road exit. As the road was straight and I was aimed straight, I turned off the ignition key, removed it and re-inserted it and immediately turned the key to the “on” position – the engine started as if nothing happened (I was now at about 50 MPH). I placed the trans back in Drive and proceeded to my destination. This has not repeated itself since then.

July 22 – drove the car twice today prior to this latest occurrence. Started the car this evening (after the car sat in the garage for about 5 hours since last being driven). Backed out of driveway, placed the car in Drive, and attempted to accelerate. The engine would rev in a “stutter/miss” (like fuel or spark was not @ 100%), and not exceed 3,000 RPM. When I placed the trans in neutral and rev’d the engine, there was a consistent miss/hesitation. I pulled back into the driveway (in case this problem was permanent), placed the trans in Park, turned off the ignition, removed the key, re-inserted the key and started the car. Ran perfectly and has not repeated today. I started the car 3 times since this latest failure.

I drove it this AM to the golf course and it's fine. The CEL has not come on at all.

The car now has 33,000 miles on it. Serviced Only at Infiniti every 2,500 miles. It was a garaged So. Cal car until 3 months ago. So no corrosion and a very mild climate all it's pampered life.

I replaced the batteries in BOTH key fobs last week -- out of desparation

The battery is about 1 year old and tests out fine. cables are clean and tight – WHAT IS GOING ON? Any ideas?

[Q45tech]

Dash cluster circuit board intermitent - common, hopefully you purchased 7yr/100k Nissan ext warranty.

[M45Caliber]

thanks for the straight answer -- any idea about an estimated cost (parts and labor)? I did not buy this from an Infiniti dealer, so no, it does not have the extended warranty. I did run it over to the local dealer that serviced it from new, and they printed off the service history for me.

I wonder though -- being out of warranty for only 6 months, but having less than 35,000 miles, if Infiniti would sell me an extended warranty anyhow?

Perhaps I'll call my local service manager --

[Q451990]

Not to question Q45Tech, but would the instrument cluster cause the driveability issues?

Heath

[Q45tech]

The cluster is just one of the common problems. Remember everything is now intertwinned with CAN system.........remember how an old Q speedometer caused transmission and steering problem via the location of speed sensor D to A convertor in cluster.

A good examination with Consult III will narrow down.

You and dealer will become close friends, we have 5 early M45 customers out of warranty.

[M45Caliber]

Q45Tech -- any idea (rough estimate) as to how much this repair might run? $500 - $800? Over $1K? thanks in advance.

[qship96]

I would push to get it covered under the 6yr/70,000 mile powertrain warranty, since it is affecting the drivability of the car. Totally un-acceptable failure at your miles and relative newness of car.

If you dont get satisfaction, turn up the heat and file a lawsuit....cheaper for them to assume responsibility and come to a settlement with you than go thru the process of the courts.

[M45Caliber]

Also -- I've read some other posts (Nissan) that mention similar symptoms but the culprit was the IPDM -- Intelligent Power Distribution Module. Does the M45 have this module and could this be causing the problem? It cut out/stalled on me today while driving 40MPH on a city street -- stop, off with key, on with key and it starts right up... but for how much longer?

[M45Caliber]

The "Service Engine Soon" light and corresponding message on the Nav screen finally came on yesterday, when it wouldn't start on 3 separate trys, finally starting the 4th time. This meant I FINALLY had a trouble code that the dealer could read to determine the problem.

Scottsdale Infiniti ended up replacing the crankshaft position sensor, which controls spark to the engine.

It would have cost me $265, BUT because the car is a Cali purchased vehicle, the repair was covered under that States more stringent smog laws, even though I live in Phoenix, AZ now. So it ended up costing me $16 for the loaner.

I'm still undecided on the extended warranty. I'm going to shop around and see what I can get if for at some of the other dealerships.

Everything is negotiable -- so I am finding out based on comments made by others here.

Peace, Out --- M45Caliber