1992Q45a Electrical Problem

[mikeestes]

My Q has a fuse that keeps blowing out every once in a while. At times it will last a couple of weeks and other times only minutes. The fuse controls the dashboard lights and the tail lights. When this happens I just simply replace the fuse. Anyway the dealership has not been able to find it after numerous attempts and they claim there is s process that costs a substantial amount of money ($500) that would test the thousands of wires in the car and find the problem. I know that this has been a problem in other cars of this particular make and model. Does anyone have any advice and/or input on what might be causing this problem? I am not sure how to proceed.

Sincerely,Mike Estes1992 Q45a - 98,000 Miles

[911/Q45]

Go to an independent auto electrics specialist, almost every town has at least one. They can trace down things like that fast and reasonably.

[maxnix]

Check all you bulbs (should be OEM) and sockets (condition, corrosion, and burn marks) first. Replace as needed.

[squeefoo]

There is a device for finding shorts. I have one but can't remember the name. I'll look tomorrow when I'm out there and post it here.

[squeefoo]

"Short Finder" S & G Tool Aid Corp.Catalog # 25100Basically you plug it into a fused circuit and run the "sensor " over the circuit which makes the needle vibrate. No ECM, TCU, or FI, circuits though. It checks only for direct to ground shorts. Ck all the bulbs and sockets first.

[Highway Q45]

It's a shot in the dark but have you checked the wires for the lighted sun visor mirrors. I kept blowing a single fuse until I realized the 2 wires were shorting just inside the window frame. The early sunvisors have a real funky design that chews up the pivot tube and wiring. I'm not sure if it's on the same circuit you are talking about but it's easy enough to check. If your sunvisors are loose when folde down and swing out when you turn a corner, they will eventually fall out of their mounts and just hang there. I hope your problem is something that simple!

[texasoil]

it most likely is a damaged taillight buld socket. They can overheat and partially melt if the wrong buld is used as a replacement. The wrong bulb is higher wattage and will overheat the socket.

[squeefoo]

I noticed when I replaced the all the bulbs in the back; if I did an Ohm test on the bulbs the ones with the lowest resistance didn't set off the display. Usually the more expensive bulbs had less resistance -just in case there isn't a Nissan dealer around or open. There is a range that sets it off.

[Q45tech]

Resistance of bulbs varies tremendously cold to operating. The cheap ones use a few pennies less Tungsten and cause all the problems.