'99 Q TCS(off) ABS Slip light on constantly-Help-new member!

[dodiho]

I have a '99 q45 with 124,000 miles..it seems to have the same problems as others on this site: ABS TCS Slip light on all the time....rough,jerky idle at stop lights.....cruise control won't arm/engage with light on....we are an older couple,bought this "Silver Ghost" new and live in central Texas...all of these problems started after a 1000 mile trip through several severe thunderstorms...oh,the trans seems to shudder/not grab right going up steeper inclines now...would some of you more experienced techs tell me some "fixes"...I am fairly proficient with tools,etc. I really like this forum and site! Thanx so much......we live over 100 miles from the dealership...Maxnix,etc.-where are you guys?

Modified by dodiho at 2:52 PM 8/2/2007
Modified by dodiho at 2:55 PM 8/2/2007

[bullittandy]

Replace the ABS relay, $20 and an easy fix. The relay is located on the ABS pump, passneger side firewall insode the engine bay.

Replace the transmission fluid.

[dodiho]

bullitandy...thankx for your reply...I had already checked the fuses/relays in the power center by the battery-all OK...didn't know about the one on the firewall......where could I buy this $20 relay? ...and naive as it sounds,what does the trans fluid have to do with ABS,etc?....would u know why the cruise control won't stay locked on speed--it just won't engage....I appreciate your advice....dodiho

[bullittandy]

I think the transmission problem is unrelated to the ABS issue. Search for posts related to transmission fluid replacement there are many opinions but in general, completely replacing it with a synthetic fluid is highly recommended.

Use the parts source here, infinitiparts USA, click on link on Q45 forum, or search for Infiniti parts and you'll find a source. Worst case is the dealer where it will cost between $35 and $50. Look in the engine bay, passenger firewall and you'll see a aluminum block with brake lines coming out of it, the relay is connected to this part (ABS pump maybe?).

I just had the same problem with the ABS etc lights and the new relay fixed it.

Don't know about the cruise control, maybe related to the ABS relay.

Replace the "ABS relay" and have the transmission fluid changed. This will likely solve two problems, then report back. If you want to wrench on the transmission yourself then you can replace the fluid at home pretty easily. Search for the procedure or maybe some helpful soul wil post the link?

Good luck!!

[qsiguy]

When I just had the SLIP and TCS OFF lights on there was a problem with the TCS system. When the ABS light was on with them my alternator was shot.

Check the alternator.

[dodiho]

Thanx...is there any "warning" about a bad alternator...? other than the obvious: not charging.?...I don't have a code scanner yet,but want to get one soon........U guys do know a lot about these "Flagships" and their quirks.....I'm all ears on these repairs......dodiho

[maxnix]

Verify battery (deep cycle) and alternator first,

[dodiho]

Hello....my in state friend...wondered where you were......could my local Autozone do this for me? And what type of code scanner should I buy for my Infinities? Best price? All of you techs are great!

[maxnix]

If you trust autozone.

Get the $200 OBD II tster with memory, not the cheapie one. Pepboys and others sell them at $30 off often.

[Qproject]

does your TCS ABS and symtoms go away after you shut off car and restart ?

I have the same exact symtoms but it's getting a bit more frequent.

can the throttle positioning sensor cause a transmission to shift abnormally ?

I have a '99 q45 with 124,000 miles..it seems to have the same problems as others on this site: ABS TCS Slip light on all the time....rough,jerky idle at stop lights.....cruise control won't arm/engage with light on....we are an older couple,bought this "Silver Ghost" new and live in central Texas...all of these problems started after a 1000 mile trip through several severe thunderstorms...oh,the trans seems to shudder/not grab right going up steeper inclines now...would some of you more experienced techs tell me some "fixes"...I am fairly proficient with tools,etc. I really like this forum and site! Thanx so much......we live over 100 miles from the dealership...Maxnix,etc.-where are you guys?

Modified by dodiho at 2:52 PM 8/2/2007

Modified by dodiho at 2:55 PM 8/2/2007

[dodiho]

no...all 3 dash lights stay on when it is running/idling......very frustrating....along with the cruise control not engaging...and the rough idle/engine jerk at stop lights....but all these techs have given me some good advice...I will change trans fluid later this PM....and get a rail injection flush if possible today....I just cant find the ABS pump relay near the dash one of the guys mentioned-I found the silver pump/motor and brake lines though...just nothing that resemblesa normal looking relay....

[qsiguy]

When my lights were all on it wasn't because the alternator wasn't charging. The internal regulator or diodes had failed and the voltage was actually very high. I was monitoring it with my multimeter and the voltage would get as high as 19-20 volts and would change with RPM. That high and I'm fortunate that some control modules and various devices didn't get toasted.

Code scanner may or may not tell you what you want to know about your alternator. A simple test of voltage with the car running, even at the cig. lighter, could provide you with much information.

[Qproject]

from my further research, all symtoms and signs point to the throttle body.

Clean out the throttle body, sensor and run a can of bg44k. This is what I will be doing first before anything els.

It makes sense since your symptom's started after a long drive in wet weather.

no...all 3 dash lights stay on when it is running/idling......very frustrating....along with the cruise control not engaging...and the rough idle/engine jerk at stop lights....but all these techs have given me some good advice...I will change trans fluid later this PM....and get a rail injection flush if possible today....I just cant find the ABS pump relay near the dash one of the guys mentioned-I found the silver pump/motor and brake lines though...just nothing that resemblesa normal looking relay....

[dodiho]

thanx...I will try to clean out MAF and TB...but wht spray solution would u guys use? We are in a small town and have an O'reilly's here....I sure appreciate all the responses....this is a great site.....and I do feel like the wet long drive caused some of the troubles...it will start up....idle fine for a few seconds,then drop down to 300-400 rpm and die...I can't even slowly bring it up to speed in park as it seems to either "starve or flood" and die...but I don't get any fuel smells in the cabin.....as I said,we were driving in a severe rain storm in south Texas when the ABS SLIP TCS came on and the cruise control went off! Now the cruise light will come on but won't engage....my wife is ready to ditch the car! How often does the fuel filter need to be changed out?

[maxnix]

...all 3 dash lights stay on when it is running/idling..........

ABS + TCS + BAT = New Alternator

Or at least a belt and probably an idler pulley.

[bullittandy]

ABS + TCS + BAT = New Alternator

Or at least a belt and probably an idler pulley.

I'm going to have a stroke! He did not say the battery light is on.

If the ABS, TCS and SLIP lights are one then there are two likely possibilities, the alternator, easily checked but not easily replaced and the ABS relay, not easily checked but easily replaced.

I had this EXACT SAME PROBLEM 3 weeks ago and a new relay fixed it.

I found the silver pump/motor and brake lines though...

Thats the part, the relay has three connectors on it, it does not look like a normal inch square relay.

[dodiho]

getting back with u on volts...tested at cigar lighter...voltage was steady at 13.88 at 60 mph......with a/c and lights on...so,I'm guessing no problem with alternater/battery....I'm still thinking some relay..but the ones by the battery box on my '99 are OK.....I can't seem to find a relay by the abs pump on passenger firewall area....?????

[dodiho]

bullitandy....as my momma used to say: now children,play pretty! (re: maxnix-battery) anyway-lol- u are reading my mind about the abs "relay"-it sure doesn't look like any I've seen before....is the whole strip of 3 units bad or how do I test or buy what's needed......and buy from where? I just had my rails cleaned-- a lot of black smoke blew out of exhaust..but haven't driven it far as I had to get back to work.....will have to work on one problem at a time...ABS,etc. lights first....then herkie/jerkie at stop lights...then cruise control....!

[dodiho]

bullitandy....where should I buy the ABS relay u are talking about and how should I describe it....what is the rough estimate of the cost?--so I'll know if I'm paying too much somewhere! Again...thanx for your input...

[maxnix]

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com

[Qproject]

hey guys, these sites below are so much more informative.

http://www.infinitihelp.com

http://www.townhall-talk.edmunds.com

http://www.infinitihelp.com/Ow...S.htm

just about every piece of info I've gotten here on nico have been absolutely no help. zero.

[maxnix]

just about every piece of info I've gotten here on nico have been absolutely no help. zero.

you have to read the previoius posts to analyze properly and ask the correct question.

Multiple deferred maintenance failures increase diagnosis difficulty exponentially. Why we always insist on a maintenance history.

[pagong]

Sorry to bump this up, but this is good to keep uptop for Q45 owners experiencing the same symptons.

Fortunately for me its just the TCS, SLIP and ABS lights are ON.No jerking, stumbling, rough idle , NO transmission slips or whatsoever.

Thanks for the info guys/gals.