90 Q45 Brake Lights out Need location of Purple Sensor

[slshearer]

Can anybody advise where this purple box is that controls brake lights?Thanks

[Q45tech]

The purple box doesn't control brake lights, however the brake light voltage loops thru the sensor and if sockets or bulbs become defective the extra heat and current can melt the solder on the current loops inside the purple box.

Not fixing the sockets and bulbs will just melt the current loops in a brand new sensor.

In trunk rim under bottom left perimeter trim, left of trunk lock assembly.

[GseaQ]

This is what happens when you don't change the brake/tail light 1157's every year. LongLife are best.

[slshearer]

Thank you for your information, I am a little confused, is this purple sensor located in the trunk area near the brake lights? or under the trunk lid cover,

Q: also where can I get these LL long life bulbs, are they available at a regular parts store or only from Infiniti? Is this sensor also used in the Nissan Maxima, I have found sevreal parts for my wifes QX4 are the same as a Pathfinder just a lot more reasonable to buy.

Thank you for your help I appreciate it!

Stewart

[Q451990]

I don't think the sensor is shared in any other models... in fact I'm not sure that any other model made by Nissan ever had warnings for having a brake lamp out.

If you open your trunk and look down at the area where the lid and body latch together, that's the general area of the sensor. So you have to pull that plastic trim, and the trim that runs under that...

Might want to download the '94 FSM at http://www.nicoclub.com/fsm/q45 if you don't have one... it will help you find it.

The Sylvania LL bulbs are available in parts stores and probably Wal-Mart. I would look to see the country of origin as well... Germany good, China bad... but it's easier to just order a whole box from the dealership, and costs about the same. If you have to order other parts it would be worth getting them at http://www.everythinginfiniti.com - but I doubt the shipping cost would be worth it just for bulbs.

What problems are you having that lead you to look for the sensor?

Heath

[qship96]

[QUOTE=Q451990]I don't think the sensor is shared in any other models... in fact I'm not sure that any other model made by Nissan ever had warnings for having a brake lamp out.

Old technology for Nissan, as my 1979 280zx had similar display, as did my 1982 200sx, and if I remember correctly so did my 1986 300zxturbo

Come to think of it, all three mentioned above also had a light that came on for low coolant in the resivour bottle....something the Q should have kept.

The 1979 280zx even had a sensor and warning lamp for low battery water...another one that should have been kept on the Q.

[slshearer]

I replaced all 4 lights with new ones, I noticed some gray colored material around the old bulbs, they actually looked OK but were not working,I did not get any message about inoperative tail lights till I replaced the old ones now it is on all the time, I checked the forum and there were referrals to the problem soi I suspect the sensor since my main brake light inside the car still works.Thanks

[Q451990]

Are all of your bulbs working correctly now?

Heath

[slshearer]

No

But the warning light is now on!

The inside brake light is still working

[Q451990]

No

But the warning light is now on!

The inside brake light is still working

Ok... so the brake light bulbs are new, but don't work - the tail lights work - but the only brake lights that work when the brake pedal is pressed are two bulbs in the CHMSL (center high mount stop light) in the back window?

If all of that's correct, I suspect you're right on the sensor being your issue.

Heath

[slshearer]

Hi

I have replaced all the bulbs including the turnsignals, reverse tailight/brake lights, I did not know about the LL (long life) ones but I will get them ASAP, It is the 2 brakelights (4 Bulbs) where the turnsignal are located that do not work, I will investigate the sensor next. I think the original bulbs Infiniti supplied lasted a long long time, I would have replaced them earlier if the display had indicated a problem, it indicates the problem now that I put in new bulbs so that is good.

Really appreciate the info!

Stewart

[goody90q45]

Hi

I have replaced all the bulbs including the turnsignals, reverse tailight/brake lights, I did not know about the LL (long life) ones but I will get them ASAP, It is the 2 brakelights (4 Bulbs) where the turnsignal are located that do not work, I will investigate the sensor next.

I haven't seen you mention checking/cleaning the female sockets in the brake lamp modules. If your bulb sockets were showing signs of melting chances are the female sockets are doing the same. I've seen them melt through and still operate but with the warning message.

I know it sounds like a bunch of phooey but the Sylvania LL (1057L) really do make a difference and will clear up the error message it all else is well (I speak from experience). Also, aren't the brake bulbs on a fuse separate from the tail lamp bulbs? Have you checked the fuses? Good luck finding the gremlins.

BTW- I have a purple sensor for sale. Email me if you're interested.

[RAP]

Not wanting to stay out in the cold..., so is the problem outlined above also one us 2000 owners have to concern ourselves with?

Thanks

Jack

That would be # 4 about what NOT to like about the Q45 ? ? ?

[maxnix]

Yes, if you use non-OEM bulbs other than Sylvania LL.

[slshearer]

I haven't seen you mention checking/cleaning the female sockets in the brake lamp modules. If your bulb sockets were showing signs of melting chances are the female sockets are doing the same. I've seen them melt through and still operate but with the warning message.

I know it sounds like a bunch of phooey but the Sylvania LL (1057L) really do make a difference and will clear up the error message it all else is well (I speak from experience). Also, aren't the brake bulbs on a fuse separate from the tail lamp bulbs? Have you checked the fuses? Good luck finding the gremlins.

BTW- I have a purple sensor for sale. Email me if you're interested.

Hi

I would be interested what do you want for it with shipping to 30019

Thanks

[Q451990]

so is the problem outlined above also one us 2000 owners have to concern ourselves with?

I have never heard of a failure on the Y33 or F50... maybe they beefed the sockets up a bit. It's still a good idea to only use good quality bulbs though... no Dollar General bulbs in the Q

Heath

[mattd1979]

I know that this is an old thread but just wanted to know if this problem was ever taken care of. I am having the same problem. I didn't know I had a problem with my brake lights until I let my Mom drive it to the store. As I watched her drive away and then hit the brakes, I noticed that the 3rd brake light was the only light coming on. When she got back, I checked the fuses and I checked the light sockets themselves with no evidence of burning or melting.

[GseaQ]

Matt,

Check the picture in my post above and see if your sensor looks anything like that. I had to get a plug with about 6" of wire from a wrecker for the sensor I got from one of the guys here.

Glenn

[slshearer]

Hi,

I bought a unit from someone on this thread, it was no better than the one I originally had, the seller advised me to check everything, harness bulbs, sockets grounds etc.. I did but I could not find anything wrong, His part was defective too... I went to my Infiniti dealer and bought a new module problem solved, BEWARE of used electronic parts that are proned to failures no matter where they come form, I wated a day because I trusted the seller of the used part, DUMB ME!!! Good Luck!

[mattd1979]

I found the module that was in the picture above and sure enough it had signs of the same terminal as in the picture getting hot and the plastic around the pin on the module had begun to melt. It wasn't burnt like the above picture, it was just starting to melt. I took the module out, removed the cover, and found that the solder had seperated from the pin. So, I resoldered the pin with more then the usual amount of solder, reconnected the module, wedged a rod to hold the brake pedal down and took alook at the rear of the car to find the brake lights working. So, thanks for all of the info. I was able to save the module that I had.

[GseaQ]

Good job. You caught it just in time.

[maxnix]

As these cars age, fewer used electrical parts in particular are still good.

[Infinitiguy19]

Here are some pictures of a possible good or bad circuit board from a 1991 and 1993 Q45: http://picasaweb.google.com/pp...ensor#

Also to add:

Purple box=1990-1993 Q45 tail/stop lamp sensor.

Black box= 1994-1996 Q45 tail/stop lamp sensor.

I found the above out the hard way when I was stupid enough to sell the possible working part for stupid cheap, and now I need it.
Modified by Paul Wall at 12:06 AM 9/4/2009

[Q451990]

Also to add:

Purple box=1990-1993 Q45 tail/stop lamp sensor.

Black box= 1994-1996 Q45 tail/stop lamp sensor.

I found the above out the hard way when I was stupid enough to sell the possible working part for stupid cheap, and now I need it.

Modified by Paul Wall at 12:06 AM 9/4/2009

I assume there's a different one for the "T" spoilers - I think it just uses one bulb instead of two.

I picked up a pink (maybe purple) one at the Pull A Part in Charlotte over the weekend for about $7. They had three Qs - one with no key and a locked trunk, one with a toasted sensor, and one with the one that's now in my spare parts box.

I would like to figure out the difference between the sensors to see if they can be "tuned" to a lower current draw if I switch to LED bulbs - so that I can still have the functionality of the bulb out warning.

Heath

[mattd1979]

I looked at the link with the pics of the 1991 and the 1993 sensors and noticed that they did a redesign and replaced the chip and extended the wires that run parallel to the board on either side I guess to help radiate the heat better. Mine must have been replaced already because it is the same style as the '93 pictured in the link.

[Infinitiguy19]

Actually the shorter one is a 1994-1996 sensor.

The longer board is a 1990-1993 sensor.

Sorry for the confusion.

I assume there's a different one for the "T" spoilers - I think it just uses one bulb instead of two. Heath

I am unsure how many bulbs the T spoiler uses but I think I agree with you on one bulb.

And the above sensors are from non Q45t's

I would like to figure out the difference between the sensors to see if they can be "tuned" to a lower current draw if I switch to LED bulbs - so that I can still have the functionality of the bulb out warning.

Heath

Someone want the "JDM Tyte stuff" too I see.

[mattd1979]

If you were to swap in the tail lights from a 94-96 into a 90-93, you would need to also swap the tail light module from the same vehicle that you got the tail lights from right?

[Q451990]

If you were to swap in the tail lights from a 94-96 into a 90-93, you would need to also swap the tail light module from the same vehicle that you got the tail lights from right?

That's correct. I believe the 94-96 used one bulb for the tail/stop section instead of two...

Heath

[mattd1979]

Yeah, which explains why I was getting the "tail lights out" message when I swapped the 95 tail lights into my nephew's 90. If I knew that then, I would have taken care of the problem. The 95 tail light assemblies are still in the car, but I swapped in the older light sockets to get the message to go away.

[Victor]

I don't know about these brake light bulbs you are talking about, but for incandescent light bulbs used in a house long life light bulbs are just bulbs rated to be used at 130 volts instead of 120 volts, as a result they draw less current when used on the 120 volts coming into your house and glow dimmer, and thus last longer at the cost of putting out less light. Myself, I would go with a shorter life span for the safety of having brighter brake lights, but some on this board think just the opposite and purposefully black out their tail lights and brake lights.