I returned from a 4 day weekend and tried to start my 92 Q (125K). The starter sounds like it is spinning freely but not engaging to turn the engine (I did not lift the hood or start playing with it, as it is raining, cold, and late!). In the manual (EL-20) the flow chart says for Engine Turn by Cranking -(yes)-does starter motor turn?-yes- does gear shaft turn?
Here is where I would like some help. Where is the starter and how can I approach it to see if it the shaft is turning? Does the car have to be jacked up? (It is presently parked uphill on a gentle incline). I think with some coaching I should be able to work through this.
What is the life expectancy of a starter? Should this be a wakeup call to have it replaced? Then the question: rebuild or replace?
ThanksKen K
'92 Q: starter does not engage
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maxnix
- Posts: 22627
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1995 Infiniti Q45t
2000 Infiniti Q45
Re: '92 Q: starter does not engage (kdkrone)
Starters are usually good long term. Try the hammer on the solenoid. Lower passenger side of engine. Best done on a lift.
Do not jack it on a hill! If you move it, flat bed it.
Modified by maxnix at 9:15 AM 12/18/2007
Do not jack it on a hill! If you move it, flat bed it.
Modified by maxnix at 9:15 AM 12/18/2007
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Q45tech
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- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
Re: '92 Q: starter does not engage (kdkrone)
My 90Q still has oem starter after 317,000 miles but half of those were interstate, something like 150 miles between cranks as opposed to typical street where a crank might be every 10-15 miles. My guess is ~~ 23,000
How many cranks were completed on your starter?
If you drive 5 miles between cranks in 125k that's the same 25,000.
Age may be more critical than mileage...............16 years is a long time for electric motors to last be it: fan, HVAC, alternator, window, sunroof, seat, or starter.
You need to have vehicle on a lift to diagnose and replace [easily]. Passenger side lower quadrant.
How many cranks were completed on your starter?
If you drive 5 miles between cranks in 125k that's the same 25,000.
Age may be more critical than mileage...............16 years is a long time for electric motors to last be it: fan, HVAC, alternator, window, sunroof, seat, or starter.
You need to have vehicle on a lift to diagnose and replace [easily]. Passenger side lower quadrant.
Re: '92 Q: starter does not engage (Q45tech)
Apologies! I panicked too soon.
When I went out in the light of day and it was only lightly drizzling, I could see that the fan was, indeed, turning. I cranked a few series of 5-6 seconds without any ignition (normally, my Q starts immediately). One the fourth or fifth such cranking, there was one sputter and the smell of gas. I waited a minute and cranked again. It coughed and sputtered, then finally erratically idled. Within a minute it was running without missing.
In the olden days before individual coils and with a distributor, I would think that the wet weather caused condensation and that there was jumping of either the spark or the electrical impulse to the distributor. I am not sure what the equivalent is with a fuel injection engine... Perhaps with the wet weather there is some association. I have no idea. I also live in California where the gas has additives, although in 6 years this has not happened before. Anyway, I did not trust the situation and drove another car to work...!
Sorry to have posted erroneous info.Ken K
When I went out in the light of day and it was only lightly drizzling, I could see that the fan was, indeed, turning. I cranked a few series of 5-6 seconds without any ignition (normally, my Q starts immediately). One the fourth or fifth such cranking, there was one sputter and the smell of gas. I waited a minute and cranked again. It coughed and sputtered, then finally erratically idled. Within a minute it was running without missing.
In the olden days before individual coils and with a distributor, I would think that the wet weather caused condensation and that there was jumping of either the spark or the electrical impulse to the distributor. I am not sure what the equivalent is with a fuel injection engine... Perhaps with the wet weather there is some association. I have no idea. I also live in California where the gas has additives, although in 6 years this has not happened before. Anyway, I did not trust the situation and drove another car to work...!
Sorry to have posted erroneous info.Ken K
