2003 M45 stoppd on the highway.

[Ryan Heo]

Hi, I just bought a 2003 M45 which 123k on it at Sep.10th. At the next day, the car was jerked one time while I was driving on the passing lane at I-75W and then it lost the power and stopped. There was no time pull over to shoulder. About 5 minutes of scary time, A police came in and towed M45 to a nearest shop where it is about 30 minutes away from my home.

At the shop, the mechanic told me that the fuel pump was out and then asked $1200 ($900 parts+$300 labor). It is ridiculus, so I look up the part on the Internet. The pump is around $100 (not OEM). I bought it and sent the pump to the shop. In this evening the mechanic told me that he needs the pump assembley now. I was really upset since he did not tell me about that at the very first time.

After talked with him, I think he doesn't know what the problem is, so just guessing... and guessing...
What do you guys think? Do I have to tow M45 to a dealership now or order the assembley parts for him?


Help me out thanks.

[EniGmA1987]

That sounds like both some incredible bad luck, and someone trying to pawn off a car with a known problem.


I really dont know what you should do, the problem could be mechanical or it could be something with the computer. If its a computer thing then a dealership definitely needs to do the work. Dont let any third party touch your electronic stuff unless your just installing a custom stereo.

[MaxBolus]

From the Dumb Questions That Gotta Be Asked Dept:
It isn't out of gas, is it?

Since you just bought this car, wondering if are you aware of the failing gas gauge issue common with these cars?

[szh]

From the Dumb Questions That Gotta Be Asked Dept:
It isn't out of gas, is it?

Since you just bought this car, wondering if are you aware of the failing gas gauge issue common with these cars?

A darn good suggestion! The car may say that it has nearly quarter tank (sometimes more!) left, but could be bone-dry.

Z

[Ryan Heo]

I don't think the gas was out or the broken gauge. The previous owner told me that he fed regualr gas instead of premium... I put premium gas at that time.

[EniGmA1987]

Thats bad in an M45... M35 can take it, but a definitely no no for an M45.

[myother45isalesbaer]

My OP...do what you have to do to get it to the dealer or a good mechanic. These cars are not to be trifled with by A-hole back yard mechanic. Have it towed on a flat bed ASAP to someone who knows how to work on them.

[Q451990]

You mentioned I-75... if you're somewhere near Atlanta I would suggest T3 automotive as an alternative to a dealership. www.t3automotive.com

Heath

[Ryan Heo]

There was near in Danville, IL.


Thanks,
Ryan.

[shak77]

these cars are notorious for having a fuel gauge problems. I personally got stuck in similar situations twice. Get you car towed to the dealer and definitely check the gas. The shady mechanic is just trying to pull a fast one on you.

[Ryan Heo]

I will talk to my mechanic. He wants to replace the fuel pump and regulator. It has been in the garage for a month so far.

[sunoco]

I will talk to my mechanic. He wants to replace the fuel pump and regulator. It has been in the garage for a month so far.

A month?!?!? Are you f*** serious?!?! Dude......get a new mechanic.......ASAP

[Ryan Heo]

Most of time was to wait the parts since NAPA costs me $600 for a fuel pump. I had to find the pump at online. All parts were ordered by me now and the mechanic seems not too smart (I guess).

[sunoco]

Take it to the dealer and be done with it!

[Ryan Heo]

I've got the call from the mechanic. He wanted to order the fuel regulator but the Infiniti dealer in NJ sent a fuel sending unit. He called another dealer in IN. They will have the regulator but it has be a special order. Thus, I gave him a more week anyway. If he won't finish the job by the next week, then I have to see the Infiniti dealer.

By the way, if he won't finishi the job, do I still have to pay for him?

[sunoco]

IM sure he will try to charge for whatever he has done so far. Thats between you and him though.....

[myother45isalesbaer]

IM sure he will try to charge for whatever he has done so far. Thats between you and him though.....

To be straight up I do not understand why Ryan would let this guy even touch his car. I would have had it pulled ASAP from this so-called mechanic. A month, that is insane. If Ryan does not pay this guy and the mechanic wants to play hardball all he has to do is put a "mechanics lean" on it. A mechanics lean is actually stronger than a bank foreclosure. The mechanic can literally own the car until he is paid in full. It can not be towed without the mechanics permission. He should get that car away from this guy immediately is my OP and get it to a trustworthy person who knows how to work on Infiniti's or get it to a dealer. Ryan.....sounds to me like you are getting taken big time. Hope I am wrong.

[Ryan Heo]

OMG...
When the car was stopped on the highway, I was panic. I wanted to get out the situation and then tow it to the nearest shop. The next day, when the mechanic called abouut the failed fuel pump, I didn't doubt it. Replacing the fuel pump shouldn't be a difficult job to him even me. I let him do that. However I think that was the biggest mistake. I didn't think that he had no idea about the Infiniti.

I plan to bring my voice recorder for recording the conversation between me and him. I will update all my story: How dumb I was! in next week.


Thanks,
Ryan.

[myother45isalesbaer]

Ryan, I am not an attorney.....but you may want to read this.

If a person (licensed repair facility) has repaired, furnished supplies or materials, towed or stored a vehicle and has not been paid for the services rendered, that person has a lien against the vehicle. The lien arises at the time the registered owner is presented with a written statement of charges for completed work or services. Although if services were performed that were not agreed upon and no written and signed estimate was issued beforehand, a mechanic has no right to keep the title owner from reclaiming the vehicle. If a mechanic asserts a fee that is not reasonably related to the work performed, and refuses to return the vehicle until that price is paid, the owner of the vehicle will be able to recoup a storage fee from the mechanic, as the mechanic is in the wrong for refusing to return the vehicle. In doing so the mechanic would commit the crime of conversion, or Embezzlement.

On the other hand, the mechanic can assess certain expenditures from the owner that are related to the work performed. These expenditures are normally, towing, storage fees, and the cost of filing the lien.

If the vehicle is towed by a public agency or private towing company, the lien arises when the vehicle is towed or transported. The lien may be satisfied by selling the vehicle through the lien sale process.

To conduct a lien sale, the person/lienholder must have possession of the vehicle and may have lien sale authorization from the DMV depending on the State and or value of the vehicle]. Interested parties, including the registered and legal owners of record will be notified, by Registered Mail, before the sale occurs.

[Ryan Heo]

Honestly... I don't know about law. As long as he can complete the job by next week, I will pay. Otherwise I will hire an attorney. I don't care if the attorney's fee is higher than the value of M45. I want to see how it ends.

[myother45isalesbaer]

Ryan.....let us all know how it turns out. Best of luck to you.

[MaxBolus]

man..one more thing came to mind: many years ago I was driving our Taurus wagon (ick) on the highway and hit a chunk of metal. It banged around underneath the car for a second, then the car just died suddenly and I pulled to the side.
While waiting for the tow truck, I remembered that there is a fuel pump cutoff safety switch that shuts the pump down in case of a collision. Apparently this chunk of metal smacked the fuel tank just enough to trigger that safety. I found and reset the cutoff and pulled away just as the tow arrived..

Not sure if our cars have a similar device, but maybe something else to check (when you get your car back ). Do you recall hitting any road debris before the stall?

[The00Dustin]

Do you recall hitting any road debris before the stall?

Or, in the case of Taurus wagons, did you hit a big pothole or get airborne? I hadn't thought of that either, and since the Y34 is a rare beast, very few people would know of such a shut-off if it wasn't in the manual. Might be worth checking the manual / fsm for...

[Ryan Heo]

Finally, I got my M45 back. This is the third time I drove the M since Sep 3rd.

1. Diagnose ...................................$40.00
Waiting a part for 1 week
2. Repalce fuel pump (labor)................$132.00 (*I ordered a defected part)
Waiting a part for 2 days
3. Replace fuel pump (labor) ................$132.00
Wait a part ordered by the mechanic for 1 week. He ordred a wrong part.
Wait a part for 1 week.
4. Fuel regulator assembly (part) ...........$99.00
5. Fuel add ....................................$20.00
After tax and MIsc.............................$431.66

I ordered the fuel pump and filter at $130 and sending unit $150 later (not installed). The grand total is $711.66. It was the horrible experience... What I've learned from that. Be smart and think through even if you were in panic.

Since the mechanic gave an estimation around $1200 = $300(labor) + $900 (parts), I told him that all the parts would be ordered by me. He wanted me to order a fuel pump and filter. After 1 week, the pump was came in but it was broken. I ordered the second one by the overnight shipping. However he charged me the labor caused by the broken part. I accepted that since he did not order it. After he got the correct fuel pump, he wanted to replace the regulator either. The mechanic never mentioned to me about the regulator before.Thus I complained that why he did not told me at the first place. Then I let him order the regulator to the Infiniti dealer. After 1 week later, the part was came in and it was a sending unit not regulator. He called me that the regulator was order by himself to another dealer. Another week later, I got the M45 back.




Thanks guys.



P.S. The sending unit is in my hand as a brand new. Since the mechanic told me the fuel gauge malfunction but not the gauge which was checked by him, the unit has to be replaced. Does anyone know how to do that or DIY for the job?

[myother45isalesbaer]

Ryan,

I must admit I did not think this matter was going to turn out a well as it did. I do feel you got a little lucky. The price in my OP did not seem that bad either.
Glad you are back on the road.

[candymanfb]

5. Fuel add ....................................$20.00

I'm glad you got your M back, but are you sure it wasn't a lack of fuel issue?
Also, I was told that the 2003-2004 M45 does not have a fuel filter by my mechanic.
You should also file a complaint with the NHTSA (http://www.nhtsa.gov/).

[The00Dustin]

5. Fuel add ....................................$20.00

I'm glad you got your M back, but are you sure it wasn't a lack of fuel issue?
Also, I was told that the 2003-2004 M45 does not have a fuel filter by my mechanic.
You should also file a complaint with the NHTSA (http://www.nhtsa.gov/).

Perhaps you were told it didn't have a replaceable/separate fuel filter; I really doubt a car with a gasoline engine built in the last decade didn't have a fuel filter at all. I would guess that the fuel filter is built into the pump. Also, he ordered that himself, not the mechanic, not that the nhtsa has much to do with mechanics (don't know, not checking), but what is there to complain to the nhtsa about?

[candymanfb]

You're right, I was told the M45 doesn't have a fuel filter that can be replaced/serviced.
I was suggesting complaining to the NHTSA for the sudden stoppage on the highway!
In my opinion, the mechanic did the best job possible. It could have been pricier.

[kevj]

i have a q45 same yr these infinitis have bad crank and camshaft sensors they go out and make car act crazy. it will cut off,brakes and steering lock,idle rough,wont start etc. I think i am having sensor trouble now have yours checked,the sensors are about $40 each and they should b put in in 2hrs or less.so about a $200 job if he's fair

[m4 fifth]

Correct Kev J i had the same issue and did the same mistake the previous owner did and took it to a regular mechanic but they could not fix it and wanted to change all kind of other fuel related stuff. The bad crank and camshaft sensors were the problem but you have to change the correct sensors even though a regular mechanic will think it is a particular bank the dealership will locate the correct bank to replace and from what I remember it was on the engine head towards the front it was two of them. The guy went so far to show me that the wrong ones were replace by taking the old sensor that was supposed to be the bad one and putting it in the correct spot and bam i was back rolling. At the time I had someone to do the work on the side that was an infiniti tech.