1997 Q45 stutter

[fz1max]

I Bought a used 97 Q45 with 185,000 miles that runs and drives like new except it has a stutter at idle. It runs great when moving it only happens at idle and it does it alot less when i put it in neutral. The check engine light is on.

Local shop checked it out and said it had no codes showing, they cleaned the fuel loop and said all the injectors were working fine. Thanks for any ideas with the stutter.

[Q45tech]

97-99 Q [and other Nissans] require a Consult II or III to read many codes.

Need to have dealer read codes and pay for a pre/post buy inspection to outline the $3,000 in deferred mainteances and repairs.With 185k I'm sure the previous owner skipped many things.

97-01 had ignition coil problems that showed up after 70k warranty expired.

[maxnix]

We need a maintenance history to really help you.

But I would find a better shop with at least an ASE certified technician if not an experienced Infiniti technician to diagnose the CEL. I don't think the CEL will illuminate unless a code is thrown.

Read the stumble and miss threads here and in IOM.
Modified by maxnix at 6:39 PM 8/12/2008

[kevinis]

Well gee; doesn't this sound familiar.

Brian, Q45Tech, ANYONE...was there ever a TSB on this??

After reading the Q45 anniversary edition thread, ("test drive it first with the air conditioning on") living my experience and reading your experience (Brian) this just seems like something there would be a TSB on.

BTW, when the tech had his consult (or whatever, he showed me two, one he said cost him9K and the other one 10K - must have bought it where they got my coil and spark plugs - smirk)the time he got a code on cylinder 3, there was no check engine light lit.

[maxnix]

the time he got a code on cylinder 3, there was no check engine light lit.

That can indeed happen. Reset your ECU, switch coilpacks 1 and 3, then scan in a week or two. If it follows the coilpaci, then it is the culprit. If not, you have some more diagnostice to perform.

No TSB to my knowledge and my speculation is that it never occurs before OEM warranty expires and dealer approach is to repalce all coilpacks as a wear item.

Cannot stress enough the importance of a clean intake path preliminary to diagnosing your problem. Many erroneously assume there is a single cause for any particular symptom when in fact there may be multiple and different causes.

[fz1max]

Thanks for the advice will do that. One other thing I bought the car with just the key and the alarm went off. Now I cant get it to stop, is the a way to reset it. Thanks

[maxnix]

Is it the chipped OEM ignition key? Those are not inexpensive to replace.

Look on eBay for a remote from a reputable reseller.

[fz1max]

yea I think it is the chipped key, went to a locksmith and it was delear only. I disconected my battey over night and got the alarm to stop by locking and unlocking the passenger door. my check engine light also went out or got reset in the process.