2012 M35h bulb replacements, trunk light and interior courtesy light not working

[fernicus]

still, my biggest hassle now is to get that BCM and have it either programmed as you guys said and get the heat working to 100% again..... if it in actual fact is the BCM thats causing the defrost, front drivers heat and interior trunk light/cabin light issue. I hope that's what it is and i wonder if a regular mechanic has the tools to assess that or do I need to go to Infiniti to have it done?
Right now, want to sell the car and failing that, get it repaired in all honesty. Not sure at this point but feel I may have to go and trade in at a dealership. Again, if it wasn't that expensive and I could find an M35h BCM, great. i could probably replace myself. Doesn't seem to difficult.... or is it and is that the actual issue? damn.... lol

[fernicus]

heres the recall that is pending on my car and let me know if this COULD be what the problem is on the car. I'm hoping this is making the heat wonky, the lights off and the defroster not working optimally...... "On certain hybrid vehicles, if the vehicle continues to be operated for a prolonged period of time following a cooling system malfunction that causes the vehicle to overheat, the hybrid powertrain control module will shut off the engine, as designed, to prevent damage. This could cause the engine to shut off while the vehicle is in motion, which would result in a loss of motive power which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the software for the hybrid control module, automatic transmission control unit and inverter to allow the engine to continue operating at reduced power in the event of a cooling system malfunction. Note: If this were to occur, a warning lamp would illuminate to warn the operator and the brake and steering systems would remain operational."

[Ilya]

As stated before...unplugging and plugging in another BCM is 5 minutes of work, at least it was for me. If your car won't start (needing a program like mine did) but your heat works, then you know the BCM fixed at least one issue, etc. etc.

A reprogram is entirely different bag of skittles and can ONLY be done with a CONSULT device (standard Nissan/Infiniti diagnostic equipment) that few (like 1%) of 'mom and pop' shops own. My guess is your local mechanic doesn't have, and maybe even has never even heard of, it.

I would say that recall is not related. Different modules...BCM has nothing to do with powertrain as far as I understand...as it controls components of the body (lights, etc.). I'm also not 100% certain your heat issues are related to your BCM/lights issue as I didn't have any heat issues when my BCM died (for all we know, your heater core or blend door or <x> is the issue). Again, I recommend going to your Infiniti dealer and having them diagnose the car (both heat and lights) at 1-2hrs tops...and then decide what you want to do. Unfortunately, for stuff like this, few if any local 'mom and pop' shops are knowledgeable enough or have the tools to do this. Protip: don't tell them you'll be fixing it yourself or elsewhere so they are under the impression that once diagnosed they'll have the chance to make money...otherwise you might get a half-assed (or full-assed) diagnosis.

You NEED to go to Infiniti to find out what's wrong OR sell the car.

That is, of course, my opinion.

[pedsemdoc]

fernicus,

I agree with Ilya, take it to an Infiniti dealer, pay for their diagnostic work up and assessment and then see if you can't source a BCM
Some Nissan shops can program, because the Consult device is a Nissan diagnostic/programming computer - that might cost you less to program, but you'd have to ask ahead of time if they would work on an Infiniti, though.

check this out: https://www.ebay.com/itm/CONTROL-BCM-MA ... -1&vxp=mtr

have to make sure it is part #: 284B11MA0D (according to the Infiniti parts website I use to cross check part numbers and order OEM stuff from)

only $86.80!!! Give it a go!!

[Ilya]

fernicus,

I agree with Ilya, take it to an Infiniti dealer, pay for their diagnostic work up and assessment and then see if you can't source a BCM
Some Nissan shops can program, because the Consult device is a Nissan diagnostic/programming computer - that might cost you less to program, but you'd have to ask ahead of time if they would work on an Infiniti, though.

check this out: https://www.ebay.com/itm/CONTROL-BCM-MA ... -1&vxp=mtr

have to make sure it is part #: 284B11MA0D (according to the Infiniti parts website I use to cross check part numbers and order OEM stuff from)

only $86.80!!! Give it a go!!

Actually, Doc makes a good point. Call around your Nissan dealers too. The Infiniti dealer where I bought my last two cars (07 M35x and this 11 M56x) wanted like $750 to do the spark plugs on my car or something asinine like that...Nissan dealer literally across the street wanted like $400. Another Nissan dealer (funny enough, owned by the same 'family' that owns the Infiniti dealer) did it for $331 after tax...my service rep at Infiniti told me one of their master techs went there to become the main shop guy and I requested he do the work since he knows these motors.

Definitely call around and ask if they are willing to diagnose your car. Your Infiniti is, afterall, a Nissan.

[fernicus]

so the same work at a Nissan dealer would cost less than an Infiniti dealership? if I'm getting that correctly. Gotcha. Well, the car is booked tomorrow for the recall fix and they are pricematching the winter tires from Tirerack which is a great thing so we'll get both of those things out of the way, thank god. Now I noticed especially the temp has dropped another 5 degrees here that there seems to be no heat at all coming from the vents period. A ceramic heater that I had plugged into the lighter now has stopped working after 2 small days of use. Hilarious.
I intend on hitting up the service people at Nissan to check out the heat/lights issue and see if they can diagnose that problem at same time, hopefully not charging me and telling me if they've seen that crap with other m35's from that year but doubt they'll bypass the $125 charge. If it requires a whole e Sent a text to the swine that sold me the car asking him about the snows he told me he would give me and about the amount of serious problems with the car and obvi no answer yet. Probably never get one. What a mess that car has turned out to be. I'll decide once I drop the $125 on the assessment what to do but looks like the sucker is going to be sold off. I have other issues to worry about to be honest. You guys have been an amazing help, straight up. PEDSEMDOC, is that BCM though for my car? an m35h? can it be used? hoping it doesnt fry the car any further. lol

[Ilya]

Yes, Nissan dealers are cheaper than Infiniti dealers but can usually do all of the same work (at least out of warranty).

Good luck...hope you get this sorted one way or another where you feel good about the result or at least less bad.

[fernicus]

so brought the car into the Infiniti dealership for tires, the recall and to check the heat/lights issue. Paid their $150 charge and they seemed reluctant to price match the tires i showed them at Tires.com. hopefully they will and hopefully they'll figure out what the issue is. If it is the BCM, then I'll just buy a compatible BCM and have Nissan reprogram it for me, hoping it will be cheaper. That's what you guys had advised, correct? Still don't see it being very cheap to be honest as you guys advised. True? If it is too much of a hassle and expensive, I'm going to sell the sucker in the summer and be done with it. Am I correct in thinking so? Thanks, Ilya, for advise.

[Ilya]

This is the best course of action IMO (paying the diagnostic fee). Now we wait...

[fernicus]

so on the humble and amazing advice of you gents/ladies? here, I went and paid the diagnostic fee to get the issues checked out. Got a set of snows which I desperately needed with that car without rims and they even price matched them to Tirerack.com which was pretty cool. The tech there advised me, peter don't bother get the tires if you ask me because without heat the car isn't worth it especially with the amount it will cost to repair. Nice. He stated that it looked like the blender doors were working fine but he's sure it was the heater core! and possibly the actuator not working properly within the dash. he says that he notices the blender doors working properly when they are indicated by climate system to operate but could be within the visual of the doors themselves, further past. he stated the heater core was to be replaced and another heating element that i don't recall. This of course doesn't take into account what the lights issue is also, they only diagnose one issue for your diagnostic fee. Funny. I asked him hey could it have anything to do with the BCM on the car and he said highly doubtful. Cost of the repair? $5000. Great..... He suggested trading it in to another car on the lot, possibly a Q50 but at this point I'm so turned off Infiniti although the car did look appealing that they had there. I'm thinking hanging on to the car although it's like a Greek freezer on the inside and selling it during the summer or even now if possible with a set of new snows as a loss leader. Live and learn. What do you guys think of all this? makes sense? The tech is the onsite specialist in Infiniti hybrids and said the he spent a day and a half on the issue. And it's only a 2012?? wtf? I feel like I should take legal action against the moron that sold me it but I bought the sucker midsummer. Perhaps too late? Yourr thoughts would be great, guys.

[Ilya]

Yeah I don't think you have any recourse on the car as it was a private sale (from what you've said); so as-is. If you bought it from a dealer, lemon laws typically have like a 90 days or something whether he offers a warranty or not. Find out what they are in your state. You could investigate small claims court or something...but again, is it worth it?

I think the heater core or something along those lines is a safe bet...but that's a steep price. Take a look at the FSM (factory service manual) on this site (FAQ link in my signature) and see if it's not something you can do yourself. Or ask your local mechanic how much he'd charge. BUT...at the same time...there is no guarantee that's what the issue is...so you might be throwing money at the car and not get a result.

So, all that being said...it sounds like either way, whether it's lights or whether it's the heat...you're looking at a massive bill in the multiple of thousands. Personally, I'd be looking to get rid of the car but doing so honestly (next buyer needs to know the issues). I know it's going to suck to lose money on the car (I've lost thousands on vehicles in the past - lost $2k on a Civic I had when I was 16, $2k on a Maxima I bought at the auction with plans to drive which ended up being 100x worse than your M in terms of issues that the insurance didn't state and am $3k upside down on an old 1989 Kawasaki KLR 650 I currently own which I JUST got running after 2 years of trying to fix it - I'll likely lose $1,500 on that) but karma will pay you back down the road in life if you sell that car honestly and don't screw the next person down the line by selling it in the summer so they don't think to try the heat.

Decisions decisions...

[pedsemdoc]

A quick perusal of the FSM - you have to remove the dash to get at the heat/AC unit, not a difficult, BUT very tedious job, with tons of screws/clips that you could easily break, not to mention crack your dash as a bonus trying to get at the culprit.

Sounds like it would be a loss at this point, unless you knew a competent mechanic who ought to charge you a whole lot less, and again as Ilya said - that's assuming THAT is the problem...no guarantee.

Sounds like the @$$hole who sold you the beast, blindsided you. Unfortunately it's left a bad Infiniti aftertaste for you - I feel very fortunate, I am on my second Infiniti and I love 'em.
My first, an '06 M45 would've prolly gone to 200k+ miles with only slight cracking of the dash as it's only fault - got rear ended which bent the frame, so total loss.
My 2013 M37 has been flawless as well, except when I caused a short, changing out interior bulbs to LEDs which fried a harness.
The electrical/computerized systems on modern cars are generally the money pit nowadays, unless you're rebuilding an engine or taking it apart, the mechanical stuff is pretty solid (assuming you are doing the scheduled regular maintenance)

sorry about your bad experience, but there are always some lemons out there, regardless of the make and model

[Ilya]

Sounds like the @$$hole who sold you the beast, blindsided you. Unfortunately it's left a bad Infiniti aftertaste for you - I feel very fortunate, I am on my second Infiniti and I love 'em.
My first, an '06 M45 would've prolly gone to 200k+ miles with only slight cracking of the dash as it's only fault - got rear ended which bent the frame, so total loss.
My 2013 M37 has been flawless as well, except when I caused a short, changing out interior bulbs to LEDs which fried a harness.
The electrical/computerized systems on modern cars are generally the money pit nowadays, unless you're rebuilding an engine or taking it apart, the mechanical stuff is pretty solid (assuming you are doing the scheduled regular maintenance)

sorry about your bad experience, but there are always some lemons out there, regardless of the make and model

I can concur; have had the same experience.

07 M35x was traded in for my 11 M56x with 142kmi on it and ZERO issues. Would have easily ran to 200k. ALL (including front windshield) are tinted so I never had issues with the dash cracking as very little UV's actually make it into my car to damage it's materials.

11 M56x has has a few bugs (timing chain recall, my own issues with the LEDs shorting out a bunch of stuff) but all was fixed under warranty. Since warranty expired nearly 30kmi ago, I haven't had a single issue.

These cars are rock solid generally speaking. I hope you get another one but this one, at least for me, would be heading to the sales block.

[fernicus]

yes, this one is definitely heading to the sales pile and will sell it as is. I went to dealer and they were willing to give me tops $15k for it which was roughly $5000 less than I paid towards another car. Sucks. They had a pretty sweet Toyota Avalon, Q50 and a 2014 Lexus GS350 also. All sweet. They were willing to do an online live auction with the car along with the snows I just bought to get best value but still didn't trust the whole thing. Privately was probably best. yeah, heater core and that would take care of heat which was most important but interior lights and trunk light problem was another matter. So many issues on one car and a hybrid. Probably why they discontinued them after first year. lol. sucks.

[fernicus]

so what I may end up doing and a salesman at Toyota told me was to put it up on the auction site that dealers have online and hope that it sells for close to what I paid for it. Hoping not to lose more that a few thousand on it but I did just buy the winters. Or sell it during the summer or trade it in to another car at dealer as I mentioned above. Love that 2014 GS250 although salesman did confess it had a $3000 claim against it. damn...... lol

[Ilya]

I'd go for GS out of that group...Q50 ain't all that great IMO.

[reggiebrown40]

Just curious - were the lights burned out when you bought the car or when you tried to replace the standard bulbs with LED's? I think this question was asked earlier in the post but you never answered....

[fernicus]

good question, reggie. so the lights were out from the get go when I first got the car, only the cabin and the trunk ones. When I tried checking them and seeing there was current, there was none at all and tried putting in the bulbs also to test which weren't burnt from visual inspection. Then I found out the heat in the compartment didn't work, originally thinking only the drivers side was out. the rear defrost works but takes quite awhile and the of course the front defrost is a drag also because no heat, just cold air it seems. Now I'm hearing a rattling or what sounds like a small box stuck in the rear passenger side wheel well rattling around. this happened around the time the snows were installed so hoping it's related to that. Bringing it back to the Infiniti dealership to check that out and hopefully it's their slipup because I don't need to be paying anymore $ which I won't at this point. This car is ending up being a heap to be honest. Brakes were cleaned up approx 2 months back when I originally tried to get this sucker assessed. ridiculous.
So thus far, Infiniti says its the heater core and another heater item which I don't recall the name of.
Another 2 independent mechanics say its the actuaters on the car that are the problem. Everyone seems to only be stabbing in the dark at this and if I go to any of these guys to repair, who knows if problem will be fixed? I'm done with it. Check out the rattle in wheel well and be done with all at this point. I don't feel like spending another $1000 at the indy mechanic to try and repair or as Infinity quoted, $4000 approx to repair issue when I paide $20000 for the car plus fees originally. Forget it. Opinions?

[fernicus]

p.s. You guys may think this is insane but if I implored, begged cajoled and was just downright as charming as my Greek background would allow me to be, perhaps writing to Infiniti Canada and explaining everything that happened and my issues would allow them to let their humane side maybe help me out with this situation and perhaps, maybe???? repair the car for me OR allow me to trade it at the price I bought it towards another one of their more ahem sturdier vehicles at the dealership? The group that owns the Infiniti dealership in my area also owns a toyota and lexus dealership in the same area where both the Avalon and the GS350 is located. Far shot but I have nothing to lose except my wallet it seems at this point and honestly, I'm not that rich at this point being on a waiting list to have my achilles tendon operated on due to a workplace accident. Worth a try, you think?

[Frog]

You probably have a better chance buying a lottery ticket and winning

[fernicus]

I did. Once. lets try again.

[reggiebrown40]

Opinion: sell the car. If it has given you this much trouble and is going to cost thousands to fix, get rid of it.

[fernicus]

yes, Reggie, totally on track to do that. Listed it already, problems and all.

[fernicus]

so as a final addendum, gotta my local Infiniti dealership. I get them to pricematch my winter tires which is great and not an amazing deal after all is said and done really except I got a great set of tires for the price of cheaper ones. I ask for a diagnostic of heat problem and they say that after a day and a half of checking and rechecking, it's the heatcore which is the issue and another heat something something part. They state that it will cost 4500. to repair said issue!! Huh??? Also I start hearing a heavy duty rattling and whirring from the rear passenger tire, bring it back in to them and they check it and tell me that it's the wheel bearings that are shot and its a safety issue if not repaired immediately. Cost? 7-5-0 the oh so cute blonde tech person tells me. Cool! $75? no, $750. Right and hell no! I tell them I'm coming to pick up the car asap and i bring it around to my usual trusted corner mechanic although pricier lately. On the way there, the whole rattling and whirring metal clanging has miraculously disappeared. Frank my mechanic says to me the next day Peter I went over it 5x and there is nothing wrong at all and nothing needed. I give him $50 and go. Ok, Infiniti, way to go. Obvi, the dealership tried to rope me into a needless repair even after fixing it because it was probably their ineptness that they hadn't tightened the bolts or tire back onto the car. A good guess? Also, I'm beginning to think that the problem may just be the BCM needing replacing and reprogramming but Infiniti decided to at the same time, sell a heat core and other item and make even more money AFTER repairing the BCM issue. Bait and switch. Any have any input? In the end, I'm still pretty sure I'm dumping the car seeing as either job is in the $1000's to repair. Infiniti insisted up and down it had nothing to do with the BCM at all and that it didn't control lights and heat in the car. Am I in the wrong or is Infiniti in the right? riiiiighhhhtttttt......

[Ilya]

Dump the car.

But I'd be willing to bet a coffee that your issues is BCM + Heater Core or <some other heating component>...I don't see the heat issue being related to the lights issue. But that's my $0.02.

[fernicus]

so you're thinking the problem is both the heater core and the BCM? great, double the price and headaches.

[Ilya]

Hence why I said dump the car or fix the heat and learn to live with the light issue. Either way...selling, fixing one issue or fixing both issues...you're gonna lose your pants on this one. Lesson learned for you and also for me (check heat, etc. when buying a car in the summer)...it's unfortunate and I've been there (think I've mentioned before) but alas you learn and move on...

** Note: I'm no expert and that's just my opinion, considering what I went through when my wiring got shorted...I don't think your heat would be affected by that...**

[fernicus]

yes, i've learned my lesson and one dealership on tradein offered me $13000 approx on a trade in towards a toyota avalon which would end up costing me 15k approx to upgrade to. sucks. Great toyota but still have money owing on the M35h. What a joke and I'm usually pretty savvy. yeah i could live with the lights but not the heat. What I'm going to do is check out some other cars ie. GS350, Subaru Legacy 3.6r and an Acura RLX at some dealerships and attempt a tradein, straight out and see what happens. Of course, the trade in will be crap but so is car.

[Ilya]

I'd shoot for the GS > RLX > Q50 > Avalon > Legacy...in that order.

[reggiebrown40]

I'm confused. You bought the M35h from a private seller, but he allegedly sold you a car with existing issues. Why would you still be paying him?