Hi, good people.
I just bought a 91 Q45, 200K km and seems to be in good shape overall.
But I have some issues, and hopefully you wise people will be able to help me.
First of all, however, I'm a mechanical basket case and so my skills are limited to checking the oil etc.
Anyway, three times now the Q has refused to start for a couple of moments when the engine was warm. Then it started just fine and appeared to drive normally.
Also, though I received some answers on the Infiniti General forum, I might as well re-ask them here just in case.
- I may have a coolant leak (well, the Q may, not me), thanks to a small puddle left on my friend's driveway, much to his chagrin.I know it's hard to diagnose online, but is this common? Is it probably just a hose, a seal? Responses I've received include pointing me to the water pump, hose ends, fill caps
- For instance, the display for the HVAC unit doesn't work (maybe a fuse?) though the HVAC itself works (you just can't see its settings)
In reponse to this I've been pointed to http://www.jerrytucker.net, which is much appreciated. I was hoping (against all hope!) it was only a fuse or something, and I haven't had a chance to check that yet.
Also, I live in Calgary, Alberta and was wondering if anyone knows of a good service place here besides the Infiniti dealer - someone who can save me $$ while still doing the job right.
Anyway, thanks very much for your insights.
CheersJim Bray
'91 Q45 starting problem
Qs are sometimes hard to start soon after a short drive, with the engine warm, due to fuel in the cylinders (overly rich). Next time you're in that situation, mash the pedal all the way to the floor before you start the car. This will shut the injectors off. Release the pedal as soon as the car starts. The LEDs in the HVAC burn out over time....very likely your problem. You can fix it yourself or send it to Mr. Tucker. I've heard nothing but great things about the quality of his work.
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Q451990
- Moderator
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- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 8:21 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 - 118K, 2022 Toyota 4 Runner, 2004 Frontier M/T - 108K, 2012 Xterra (Mom's), 2023 Rogue (Inlaws)
- Location: Columbia, SC
- Contact:
The LED display power supply is the culprit, and a common problem at that. Some members with electronic experience have had success heating up solder joints, flexing the board, etc, but the $100 is worth it compared to a new one!
When you say the car doesn't start, does the starter engage, or do you turn the key and nothing happens?
If you have a hard start condition (starter turns car over several seconds before starting) only after a warm soak, but it starts fine when cold or after sitting only a few minutes - I'd suspect injectors bleeding down and flooding the engine. I had this problem after using remanufactured injectors. A leaking bottom o-ring on one or more injectors can also cause the problem. A sure sign of flooding or an overly rich condition is a few puffs of black smoke at start-up when the condition is present. Have someone else start the car and look at the exhaust.
Heath
When you say the car doesn't start, does the starter engage, or do you turn the key and nothing happens?
If you have a hard start condition (starter turns car over several seconds before starting) only after a warm soak, but it starts fine when cold or after sitting only a few minutes - I'd suspect injectors bleeding down and flooding the engine. I had this problem after using remanufactured injectors. A leaking bottom o-ring on one or more injectors can also cause the problem. A sure sign of flooding or an overly rich condition is a few puffs of black smoke at start-up when the condition is present. Have someone else start the car and look at the exhaust.
Heath
Thanks for your replies.
Re: the starting. It doesn't turn over at all when I experience that no-start. It does nothing. It's as if I turn the key and the battery is dead.
As for the HVAC LED's, thanks for the advice. I should probably send it off but that means I need the knowhow to take it out and put it back in again and that's a real stretch for me. I wasn't kidding when I said I'm a basket case.
Do you think the dealer will rip me off to fix it? My one experience with them so far was getting a quote for shocks and I wasn't impressed with the price nor their phone manner.
CheersJim
Re: the starting. It doesn't turn over at all when I experience that no-start. It does nothing. It's as if I turn the key and the battery is dead.
As for the HVAC LED's, thanks for the advice. I should probably send it off but that means I need the knowhow to take it out and put it back in again and that's a real stretch for me. I wasn't kidding when I said I'm a basket case.
Do you think the dealer will rip me off to fix it? My one experience with them so far was getting a quote for shocks and I wasn't impressed with the price nor their phone manner.
CheersJim
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Q451990
- Moderator
- Posts: 11030
- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 8:21 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 - 118K, 2022 Toyota 4 Runner, 2004 Frontier M/T - 108K, 2012 Xterra (Mom's), 2023 Rogue (Inlaws)
- Location: Columbia, SC
- Contact:
With a no-start situation, it's probably the starter relay. It's the blue one mounted to back of the strut tower near the firewall and ABS actuator on the passenger side of the engine bay. You might try tapping on it when you have your no-start situation to see if it fixes it. A good test is to have someone hold the key in the start position while you tap it with the back of a screwdriver. If it starts when you hit it - that's it! Another possibility is a loose connection on the battery terminal.
Climate control is easy to handle... check out this link for instructions. The dealer will probably only want to replace it with a new unit, so think $600-700. Being able to do very simple things is a good way to save lots of cash when you're trying to straighten out an older Q! I believe Jerry Tucker may have an exchange program where he'll ship you a working unit when you pay for it and a core charge, and then refunds the core when you send your old one in, but I'm not sure. That would eliminate being without heat or a/c for a week or so.
Good luck!
Heath
Climate control is easy to handle... check out this link for instructions. The dealer will probably only want to replace it with a new unit, so think $600-700. Being able to do very simple things is a good way to save lots of cash when you're trying to straighten out an older Q! I believe Jerry Tucker may have an exchange program where he'll ship you a working unit when you pay for it and a core charge, and then refunds the core when you send your old one in, but I'm not sure. That would eliminate being without heat or a/c for a week or so.
Good luck!
Heath