1998 Infiniti QX4 Won't Start, Details inside

[JP1997]

Hi all,

I bought a 1998 QX4 4 months ago and got a great deal on it. Car had 105,000 on it and was in great shape.

Car ran beautifully for 4 months.

About 3 weeks ago I was driving to a friends house around 20 miles from my house when car died. Wouldn't start, but *would* turn. No big deal, I'll call AAA.

Later that day car starts, and any engine lights go out.

Don't drive for 3-4 days because of work, and then I take car out again. This time it makes it ~5-8 miles. Call AAA again.

I go home and check the Mass Air Flow intake and sensor, intake is 100% clean and looks new even.

Car goes 3 miles, dies.

Car sits in my driveway, and now it won't start at all.

It gives codes but I can't read them because to get the car to a scanner means car starts, which means codes disappear.

Anyone know what it could be?

The fact it's gotten worse leads me to believe it's an actual problem and not a sensor going bad.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[fueler]

You can read codes without starting the car - just turn the key to the farthest position before "start"

[JP1997]

Thank you for the reply, what I mean is that when the car starts the codes turn off. To get the car to a place with a scanner I have to drive it there, hence the situation. I might just pay the $75-100 for towing if need be.

[MisterH]

Thank you for the reply, what I mean is that when the car starts the codes turn off. To get the car to a place with a scanner I have to drive it there, hence the situation. I might just pay the $75-100 for towing if need be.

If your onboard diagnostics detects an error it is stored in memory and can be retrieved and read with a scan tool anytime afterwards and engine doesn't need to be running. If I may offer a suggestion for the future: If you want to try doing your own diagnosis and repair and get useful help through this forum, the first thing you absolutely must have is a way to read the error codes yourself. You can do it by either buying a handheld, all-in-one OBD2 scan tool or purchasing an OBD2 plug that interfaces via Bluetooth or WiFiwith diagnostic software that will run on a laptop computer or a smart phone. Either approach will cost as little as $30.

[JP1997]

Thank you for the reply, what I mean is that when the car starts the codes turn off. To get the car to a place with a scanner I have to drive it there, hence the situation. I might just pay the $75-100 for towing if need be.

If your onboard diagnostics detects an error it is stored in memory and can be retrieved and read with a scan tool anytime afterwards and engine doesn't need to be running. If I may offer a suggestion for the future: If you want to try doing your own diagnosis and repair and get useful help through this forum, the first thing you absolutely must have is a way to read the error codes yourself. You can do it by either buying a handheld, all-in-one OBD2 scan tool or purchasing an OBD2 plug that interfaces via Bluetooth or WiFiwith diagnostic software that will run on a laptop computer or a smart phone. Either approach will cost as little as $30.

Thanks for the response! One of my friends is going to let me use the scanner from his shop, I'll report back tomorrow!