1995 Infiniti Q45 starting problem

[MrCrowley]

Hello,
I am having a kind of weird starting situation. I was thinking it was the fuel pump that was causing the issue, but am not sure now, and not sure if the security system affects the fuel system.

I had driven the car from Texas to Massachusetts, no problems what so ever (Thank God). Last week, I had been driving the car, again no problems, until I stopped at a WalMart. When I returned to the car, it wouldn't start. The engine would turn over, but the car wouldn't start. I figured, either electrical or fuel was the issue. I got some starting fluid and the car would fire, but just a minute, till the fluid was burned then die.

I had the car towed to a mechanic, 2 days later he attempted to start it, it started and ran fine. He had me pick up the car and test it to see if it fine. I drove the car to WalMart again, no problem, then back home, still no problem. I drove the car later that evening to classes, and after classes...it would not start again. Instead of towing, I left the car overnight in the parking lot, the next morning it started and is running fine, no stalling or stuttering.

I am wondering if the security system can be an issue as when it arms, the light is solid. After a minute, the light turns off…it does not blink showing it as armed.

[sandydennis11]

I had the same problem and actually the same with the key fob. It was the fuel pump and the fuel pump control unit.
Infiniti replaced the fuel pump, that didn't work. So then they replaced the fuel pump control unit and the fuel pump relay (quoting off the invoice).

Original estimate. $1200.00. +/-

Fuel Pump...367.43
Fuel Pump Relay...129.13
Fuel Pump control module...688.97
Labor...700.00
Shipping for the parts ...60.00

They originally want $2475.53. and then dropped the charge to $1840.51 because they never informed me that the control Unit also needed replacing.

Try to avoid the dealerships. BTW the parts were shipped from a Infiniti in Massachusetts to San Francisco.
Also , I think the key fob antenna is right near the fuel pump area behind the back seat.

[Q451990]

I'd suspect a fuel pump issue too, although the controllers usually fail and stay failed vs. what you describe as an intermittent issue.

To eliminate the controller, you'd want to try grounding the pin that's actually grounding your fuel pump through the controller. See the picture on page 2 about half way through this thread. q45-stalling-dying-t575907-30.html

This isn't a good long term solution, because this runs your tri-mode fuel pump in the high mode at all times - rather that just during hard acceleration - which stresses a number of fuel system components. But it's a good diagnostic to tell you if it's the controller.

[MrCrowley]

thanks all...I am suspecting the fuel filter may be an issue. I ran the tank low, and now the car is kinda missing. since I havent used the remote to activate the alarm, just lock and unlock with the key, I haven't ran into a starting issue.