1994 Q45 with 48k - What now?

[22349.b.cvc]

Hi All,

I'm new to NICO, but not new to Q's. I had a 1991 Q45 that I bought with 73k. Drove it to 130k, and sold it. I loved that car, but the transmission was on borrowed time.

I missed the days of Q, and longed for the passion I once felt.

Anyways, I just bought a 1994 Q45 with 48k original miles. Mint condition. No accidents, but it had the front bumper repainted by the Infiniti Dealer. My only concern is the service history. It has 8 pages of service history. That is good and bad. The bad part is it seems like the cars lights burn out all the time. All different lights.

The TCS and SLIP lights apparantly have had problems staying on to the point the TCS and SLIP relays were replaced - twice over the last 15k.

Check some of this service history...

Throttle motor replaced (44000)

Alarm turns on by itself (43000) - fault connecter in rear set (#221)

BCM looses memory - replaced BCM (39000)

Car stalls - added extra ground to air flow meter?(39000)

Faulty throttle actuater (39000)

Bulb in the Instrument panel burnt out (39000)

Driver side headlight burned out (36000)

3rd brake light burned out (26000)

Headlight burned out at (2700 miles) - fixed but broken wires behind the dash?

Headlights not working (2600 miles) - Replaced combination switch

Right headlamp inop (1300 miles)

Doesn't this all seem unusual?

Doesn't this seem ridiculous? My 1991 Q needed nothing except oil changes. Is this a lemon? PLEASE THOUGHTS ANYONE. And yes, I am a dope for next checking service history PRIOR to buying it and having it shipped cross country....

A nervous 2nd time Q owner.

[AZhitman]

Not sure what to call you, but welcome to NICO!!!!

What an awesome find - A 94 with that few miles? Jackpot.

To be honest with you, the bulb-related gremlins COULD have a VERY simple cause: Q's are notoriously finicky when it comes to bulbs. Believe it or not, just ONE non-OEM bulb can set up a bulb-burnout-nightmare that will drive you NUTS. (Don't ask me how I know...). Do a search for BULBS in the infiniti mechanic forum for all bulb-related posts - very helpful.

Replacing every single bulb with an OEM unit sounds radical but may be the answer.

[PalmerWMD]

I echo az's sentiments all around.

Congrats on teh great ride!

He is also right on target w/ his bulb comments.

About this one:Car stalls - added extra ground to air flow meter?(39000)

It's a common thing for the MAF connector to cuase problems, if the owner did oil changes thru the top, rather than bottom (easier to get to ffilter, but <hard> on MAF connector).Also the replacement connector is a bit improved w/ an extra ground----> routine.

Fred...

[911/Q45]

I think the previous owner worked most of the bugs out for you and predict a smooth ownership experience. Many owners wouldn't bother to chase things like that, guy sounds pretty meticulous.

[maxnix]

I would keep an eye on that alternator and its voltage regulator, after you have inspected all sockets and assured yourself the bulbs are OEM only.

Have it tested before dealer warrranty expires or you buy it.

[ninjak84]

It sounds like most of the things were simple things that only need replacing once in the car's life time. To find a 94 with that little mileage is great! Check for a rollback though, just to be safe.

[Mayhem_J30]

ninja, you plannin on buying an infiniti some time soon?

[AZhitman]

Also, BUY a warranty!

I think warrantybynet.com will still cover a 94 - Check them out.

Also do a search for "warranty" as I have done some extensive posting about this company.

[AZhitman]

ninja, you plannin on buying an infiniti some time soon?

We're working on him - They're dropping like flies!

[greg_atlanta]

Long service history is better than short service history. It means owner was attentive and got his money's worth out of the warranty!!

I wonder if there was a custom stereo or alarm installed, or if the prior owner was using xenon-like bulbs which draw too much current?

[22349.b.cvc]

No custom anything. Factory, factory factory.... Thank the Lord Almighty. I am an OEM man as far as that stuff goes... but under the hood....?!?

I found the 1994 Service Manual stashed away with the jack. That giant service book sure did come in handy when looking for the pre-wired CD changer adapter. The dealer was trying to sell me an install kit. Why the heck would I need that? Give me 8 screws and drill and that should be it right?

[maxnix]

Threaded mounts (less perhaps the cross bar) are all there for the factory bracket.

Drilling will only allow corrosion into the chassis.

[texasoil]

look the maintenance log proves the car is a lemon. I feel sorry for you tell you what, I'll take you out for what you paid. Maybe I can make some lemonade

[AZhitman]

I hope like hell you're joking Texasoil.... Because you're way off base. I'd hate to hear what you'd say if you saw MY Q's maintenance log!

Like Greg said above, a long service history means an attentive owner who got their money's worth out of the warranty. Face it - When you have a warranty and you bring a car to the dealer, they're gonna find SOMETHING that's not PERFECT. Not necessarily broken or defective, but replaceable all the same. Doesn't mean the car's a lemon. Matter of fact, all of these cars will do their first 150K (and do it WELL) with little to no maintenance without breaking a sweat. That doesn't mean they don't have parts that have worn or require replacing.

I'm sticking with my bad light bulb theory - I'd bet money there's an aftermarket bulb (or relay) in that car that's making it act up.

[22349.b.cvc]

Thanks AZHitman. Of course I took the car to a dealer out here. The dealer out here wanted to change the coolant hoses for $945.00 because they are "brittle". I was unable to locate any brittle hoses. Possibly there is one I can't see? They also wanted to replace the front left strut and strut covers on both front struts for $452.00. I could see light seepage from the front left strut.

I know what the dealer thought. Here's a new owner. We better break him in good.

I told the dealer I was going to pay an independent to get a second opinion. Kind of funny how the mood changed. The second verified the needing of the left front strut but he stated it was not in need of replacement yet. He also said the hoses did not need to be done.

Hmmmmm. Someone must be starving at the Infiniti dealer.

[Q451990]

If the struts are leaking, they're shot. Even worn ones that aren't leaking are shot! You won't believe the difference when you get the suspension back to like-new.

BTW, I'm sure TexasOil was kidding... maybe looking for a new Q?

Heath

[AZhitman]

Actually, doing the hoses ANYWAY isn't a bad idea - Once they've gotten brittle to the touch it's usually too late. That can be DIY or by a "cheaper" shop.

New shocks on all 4 corners ain't a bad idea either - Check my thread entitled SHOCKS for a great price, also a DIY job. That $400 will get you all 4 shocks.

[22349.b.cvc]

Isn't there a NICO member at Scottsdale Infiniti that gives better than average deals on this stuff?

By the way, the dealer said it was 10 hours labor for the cooling hoses. WOW! 10 hours at 85 an hour?

Where did I go wrong?

[maxnix]

Actually, doing the hoses ANYWAY isn't a bad idea - Once they've gotten brittle to the touch it's usually too late. That can be DIY or by a "cheaper" shop.

By the time they fail, it is too late as the engine will be destroyed by overheating.

He may have been referring to the under-plenum hoses, which involves a lot of labor to remove the plenum. At such time, there are many other services and inspections which should be performed to reduce overall labor expenses.

[AZhitman]

Get the parts (under-plenum hose package) from Joe at Scottsdale - Ask for the NICO deal.

[Aus94Q45]

Those hoses may be under the plenum -- some hard to see. Occasionally you may see a small pool of coolant in the middle of the V under the plenum. Even with low miles the years have taken a toll on those hoses. I bet they are brittle. That may explain the price tag to replace the hoses. Be sure that your second opinion mechanic checks those hoses too.