2006 QX56 Help!!! Bought salvaged to rebuild

[jzman350]

So... I am a new owner of a 2006 QX56 and have a few questions. I have been here for a few days searching to compile answers to a few questions but its time for some direct one on one contact. I have owned Nissans before, no Infiniti's, and I have a few BMW's that I do work on.

So here is the story. I bought a salvaged title 2006 QX56 that had some front end damage. Not really worried about that as its a pretty easy fix as far as body and paint goes. I bought it not for resale value but for a good, spacious car to take on trips when needed or travel to get groceries and business supplies. My questions and gremlins are below. Any help would be great.

1. Horn doesnt work and volume up doesnt work....--I think this is the clock spring and if you think so, I will order and replace.
2. Heated seats don't heat. At least they don't feel like it. All 4 lights will light up in both positions but I really think its not working.
3. It seems like the VDC and tow mode buttons work sometimes and sometimes they will not show up when on.
4. When in 4WD the green light on the console won't come up.
5. Radio reception doesnt seem good. and the mis and rear speakers will not work, only the front two.

Again, not looking for a resale car, just looking for a good spacious 3rd family car. I picked it up for $5500 and the interior looks brand new.

Also, there is a vibration under your feet when its on for a min then goes off. I know there is sound at the rear drivers wheel and I think thats some leveling pump, Is there one in the front that would cause this?

Thanks everyone for your help. I hope you can.
JS

[AZhitman]

Sounds like there's probably an issue with the Body Control Module, which would include all those light & switch issues. I'd get the front end fixed, then start tracing backwards from the bulbs... I'll bet they're all related somehow.

You nailed the leveling pump.

Merry Christmas: www.infinitiservicemanual.com - You'll find a ton of help in the FSM.

[jzman350]

Thanks Azhitman..... So does the BCM have to be coded to the vehicle or anything or is it a 1 for 1 swap. I think the only code it flipped is a BCM memory error... But we cleared it to see if it would through again.

Also, I wonder if I started with the BCM to make sure the clock spring is bad?

On that leveling pump, are you saying there are two. One in the from and back? Are they suppose to be that noisy?

JS

[jzman350]

AZhitman.... After further TS I don't think it is the BCM. I looked over the manuals, Awesome and Thank you, It looks like all the functions that the BCM controls works.

I took the key fob out this morning and programmed it using the IN OUT Key method and it works. It even makes the horn sound but it sounds weak and sad.... All the windows up/down work, sunroof works, tailgate lift/open works.

Just seems like all those functions work... Thoughts????

Only thing that concerns me right now is that the heated seats are not heating. Lights come on but no warmth. Second is the 4WD light, the green one on the cluster, does not come on when 4WD is engaged. The diagram shows it and it works.

Last is the radio. Something is not right here. The back speakers and the reception is bad....

JS

[marctronixx]

first off the 2006 qx is the same as the armada of that year, so any internet searches you do, also include the armada of that year.

1. do the other controls on the steering wheel work? just sounds like the entire steering wheel should be replaced.

2. check fuses. if all the seats dont work, it could be a BCM related issue.

3.instrument cluster could be faulty. the entire CANBUS system is a serial computer network and the instrument cluster is a major part of this system. if its faulty or if the wiring harness is faulty, lots of things will happen.
4. again, could be BCM related.
5. check the radio antenna on the rear glass. the connection may be damage. also the wire to the head unit could be damaged.

needles to say, being a salvaged car, it could be anything that is causing these issues. perhaps the main wiring harness needs to be replaced in the dash!

since you are cool around cars, have you plugged up a scan tool to read any DTCs? that is the first place to start...

ooh the vibration in the pedal is the ABS doing its pre check.

[AZhitman]

Looks like progress, and Marc is right - Could be anything. You see anything that looks like evidence of water damage?

ON the heated seats, are you sitting on them, or just turning them on? They won't heat up without weight on them.

[marctronixx]

yeah what does carfax say? could have been in a flood or have had water damage. water will wreak havoc in the most smallest of places.

you may need to get a new main harness. again check the DTCs to get a good starting point....

[jzman350]

Marc and AZ.... Thanks guys... So here is a run down.

I think the seats work they just are not as hot as my BMW's. After sitting and driving a while they did heat up and all four did. Again I was just comparing to the other cars.

I think its either the clock spring or a connection. The radio is working fine now. But I turned the wheel and the back speakers stopped but the again with a full turn they came back on. I do think the antenna is half connected. The plug on the back passenger side glass is off.

Doesnt look like any water damage. No flood lines both interior and exterior. Car Fax only has it as front end damage not a flood. Fuses look good and no corrosion.

I just ordered new front struts and rear air shocks. The air shocks are a bit pricy but it has the auto leveling and they are leaking bad.

With 190K miles it needs some service. Will put in new upper control arms as well. Ordering all new tires and then getting it aligned.

But really guys it drives great with bad shocks and after going through with a comb its coming together.

I did pull the codes, I have an odb with the iPad and nothing has popped.

Any thoughts you guys have.

[jzman350]

Also,,, I found an electrical connector that is not hooked up today when checking fluids. I am looking on diagrams to see. But it comes off the engine wiring harness and plugs into a connector straight down on the right side of the battery. The male end of the plug is broke.

So if you look at the battery cover and go straight down its right there. Almost looks like it plugs into metal tubing for power steering.

[jzman350]

it fit s to the top of a pully on the belt system

[jzman350]

Any help of thoughts to what this connection is...

[marctronixx]

pictures speak a thousand words

[jzman350]

How do you post a picture?

[marctronixx]

use "img" codes.

or use a cloud service (dropbox, etc) and post the link.