95 Q45 Not shifting into low gear??

[ldy]

Howdy folks, first post. I'm new to Infiniti. There is a 95 Q45 available for sale near me. The car is in good condition. However, when I drove the car it had very little throttle response under 30 mph, and was very sluggish from a stop. I timed the car from 0-60 a couple times at around 12 seconds. The car bogged off the line, then seemed to come to life around 35 mph. The car handled nicely and seemed to run well. A scenario that fits the performance is the car wasn't shifting into first gear. Perhaps this is a readily recognizable issue? I would like to buy the car, but need to know what I'm dealing with. I would appreciate any input from those familiar and experienced with these vehicles.

Thanks!!

[ldy]

The seller said, "It shifts into first in sport mode". What is sport mode?

[qship96]

He lied to you.....run away quick ! There is no "sport" mode. Even the cleanest old Q hides multi thousand dollars of needed repair and replacement of old semi worn out parts,if you arnt prepared to spend a few thousand in repairs and.replacement parts cost in the first year,dont buy the car regardless of how low the purchase price......many learn this the hard way.

[Skibane]

Was the Check Engine Light on (or even functional?)

Typically, when the engine computer determines that the engine isn't running right, it retards the ignition timing and throttle response enough to prevent major mechanical damage under the worst possible conditions of ambient temperature, fuel quality, air density, engine speed, etc.

Basically, since the computer isn't getting useful measurements from one or more sensors, it operates the engine in a manner that minimizes any damage that might occur from not having those measurements.

As engine speed increases, the computer relaxes some of these restrictions.

RESULT: The engine is sluggish and weak off the mark, but gets stronger as engine RPMs climb.

[ldy]

The check engine light was not on. I couldn't guess if it was functional. I didn't notice if it lit on start up. Your scenario sounds like a good description of the symptoms. Frankly, I was amazed all the "features" in sight seemed fully functional. The car is quite clean with 123,000 on the odometer. The owner stated a late uncle had owned the vehicle since new. The uncle died two years ago, the car has been mostly parked and neglected for the two years. There was another possible clue. At one point I thought I might smell oil. I was wary and looked for symptoms of burning oil. Finding none, I looked for leaks. The passenger side front of engine was wet from a long term, slow leak from high on the engine, mabey the valve cover. Engine oil was clean, no evidence of water.

I'm interested in the car, but wary. I'd be willing to spend a grand or fifteen hundred to refresh things. But more would be too much. I'm fairly handy, but ignorant of modern diagnostics and electronics.

The car had a couple features I'd like to know what they are. A TCS (I think) button was just behind the shifter. Pushing the button resulted in a light stating TCS off. What's TCS? The other was a button labeled shift lock. What's shift lock?

[ldy]

I told the owner I was interested in the car but not comfortable buying it without a diagnostic. Where might I get such a diagnostic service done? I'm near Park City, Utah.

[PetersQs]

Forget this car. It could be anything, bad MAS, bad MAS cable, transmission blockages, needs VC gaskets ($$$). I am on my sixth Q and find that most of the Qs that are cared for are worth a little TLC. This one is not one of them.

[Skibane]

If the car has been parked and neglected or years, the battery died long ago - which might explain why no Check Engine Light was present (the light gets reset for a while after the battery is disconnected or goes dead).

"TCS" is short for Traction Control System - The TCS switch disables or enables it.

The "Shift Lock" release temporarily overrides the electric solenoid that normally prevents the transmission gear shift lever from being moved out of Park. if the solenoid or associated wiring ever fails, the "Shift Lock" release allows you to still move the shift lever, or tow the vehicle without a key.

[qship96]

Even if battery was dead or disconnected- upon replacing battery,every single obd2 trip code is either a first or second trip code- meaning by the second engine starting and driving, the check engine light will illuminate if there is a code thrown by the computer.

[ldy]

Being completely new to these cars, they've captured my interest. I appreciate the advice and information. I will educate myself and watch for another one. I noted a "gen one buyers guide" listed in a sticky on this forum. However, I had no luck finding the article. Can someone point me to it?

[qship96]

Try www.q45.org

[white90esex]

If you are just putting the car in D then it isn't going to downshift into first. You can manually put it into 1st and it should feel drastically different. To eliminate one shift they thought it would be a great idea to put that feature in there

[qship96]

If you are just putting the car in D then it isn't going to downshift into first. You can manually put it into 1st and it should feel drastically different. To eliminate one shift they thought it would be a great idea to put that feature in there

Only the 90-93Q started off in second gear.......they fixed that in the later models,which all start in 1st gear even when put in "drive"

[white90esex]

would ya look at thaaaaat.......

[94Q45Beast]

take a look at the TCU