1991 Q45 wont shift into park

[pahrding]

Everything was working fine but on stopping and trying to shift gear to Park position it would not. The ignition key came out easily, so no problem there.What would the most likely cause be? I was wondering if it was an electrical or mechanical problem, and would like to hear if anyone else has experienced this?

[Infinitiguy19]

The parking pawl is a mechanical device but I am not sure what would cause the transmission to not want to go into park. It could be that the park mechanism is damaged but I am not a transmission specialist.

Hopefully someone more qualified will jump in till then check out the service manual: http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Q45/1994_Q45/at.pdf

[pahrding]

I already checked out the manula before posting here. I could not find any reference to not going into Park, but there were references to not being able to get out of Park. At least I have the lesser of the two! I suspect that it is an electrical problem as opposed to something mechanical like the pawl. Anyway, the problem seems rare as nearly all the other problems I have had over the past 20 years I have had it seem common to others owners, I have always thought of the q as a sort of Japanese Jaguar and often suspect that the electrics were imported or designed by Lucas!

[Lokim]

Check the linkage adjustment.

[Q451990]

Can you remove the key? I would check out the operation of the shift lock solenoid...

Heath

[Lokim]

Can you remove the key? I would check out the operation of the shift lock solenoid...

Heath

How about reading the whole OP. GAWD!

[Lokim]

I already checked out the manula before posting here. I could not find any reference to not going into Park, but there were references to not being able to get out of Park. At least I have the lesser of the two! I suspect that it is an electrical problem as opposed to something mechanical like the pawl. Anyway, the problem seems rare as nearly all the other problems I have had over the past 20 years I have had it seem common to others owners, I have always thought of the q as a sort of Japanese Jaguar and often suspect that the electrics were imported or designed by Lucas!

Now that you've checked the manula (whatever that is,) take a look at the manual...

Seriously, though, check out the linkage under the car. Undo the transmission shifter lever at the trans. Try moving the lever to park by hand. If it goes, inspect the linkage from the transmission to the shifter. If it doesn't go into park by hand w/ the linkage undone, you probably have a big problem...

[Q451990]

Can you remove the key? I would check out the operation of the shift lock solenoid...

Heath

How about reading the whole OP. GAWD!

[pahrding]

How can I get to the shift lock sensor from the top of the transmission without first dropping the transmission unit itself as a complete assembly. Can the top cover over the transmission tunnel be removed from inside the cabin without damaging interior trim?

[Infinitiguy19]

See if this helps:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Euu3-R-iV0k[/youtube]

There is no shift lock sensor whats so ever on a G50 (199-1996) Infiniti Q45. There is how ever on the top of the transmission a turbine revolution sensor and a revolution sensor.

Basically the key comes out and the Shift Lock Control Unit thinks that the transmission is in park thereby letting you remove the key and only then will it allow it. But the parking pawl will no engage correct?

I would look at pages AT-168 and AT-169: http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Q45/1994_Q45/at.pdf

[pahrding]

The pages in the link to the manual refer to the parking pawl whereas in my book they refer to clutch assemblies. I have a 1991 book but the transmission is probably the same. The video at least shows the top of the transmission exposed so I would assume the cover comes off without too much difficulty. I took the car into a shop but they were not able to tell if it was the transmission or the linkage without taking it all apart. When the weather cools off a bit I will try to undo the linkage on the transmission and see if the lever on the transmission itself moves through all positions. Also it does not shift into reverse easily as the button on top of the lever does not seem to push in all the way and has resistance.
Are you suggesting tha the parking pawl within the transmission itself is at fault?

[Infinitiguy19]

I would look to either the linkage (Don't know why I didn't think of it) or the Parking Pawl.

But the reverse problem tells me that it is indeed a linkage problem and it was not set correctly.

[pahrding]

Thanks for your opinion. I also really think (and hope) it is the linkage, but I will post back here for the benefit of other that may encounter similar problems as soon as I know more. BTW I 'm in AZ and although the temperature outside was 116, in my garage it was 121 that was why I took it to a shop!