active suspension
active suspension
bought my91 q45a 7 months ago(63,000 miles) love the car but it doesnt absorb a bump well at all. is this common ? is there anything i can do about it?-also the 60,000 mile service was done on it(prior to my buying it) i went on a 3,000 mile trip(without incident)shortly there after the active suspnsion would crapout-i'de be going along i'de feel the car drop &the a/s light would come on-i'de pull over shut the car off for aminute &it would be o.k.
It is fairly common for them to ride ruff when the shock towers are depleted of their nitrogen ( happens after so and so many miles).
Can be replaced at dealer for $$$ for for less, thru one of our board members who has done this many times (look for "texasoil" in our member list above, you might consider emailing him as he doesnt monitor our board as closely as others).
The "a" suspesnion is wonderful when it works properly and comparable technology is only available in very late model MB's at $90,000 or above.
But understand that it can be very expensive to keep running properly.
As for the second part of your question I have a guess right now but will wait for the Guru's to chime in with a diagnosis.
Fred...
Can be replaced at dealer for $$$ for for less, thru one of our board members who has done this many times (look for "texasoil" in our member list above, you might consider emailing him as he doesnt monitor our board as closely as others).
The "a" suspesnion is wonderful when it works properly and comparable technology is only available in very late model MB's at $90,000 or above.
But understand that it can be very expensive to keep running properly.
As for the second part of your question I have a guess right now but will wait for the Guru's to chime in with a diagnosis.
Fred...
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Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14296
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- 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
Well you have 9 nitrogen charged accumulators that need recharging every 6 years but the extremely low mileage [63k???] on a 12 year old car bought you some time [12 years is unheard of].
At the minimum Texasoil can send you recharged replacements [for around $2500] and roughly $1000 install/change labor........the dealers will want to just replace the 4 strut accumulators [new ones] for around $5,000 [kind of a half way solution but the ride will return to 70% of new]. All new units would run around $9,000
Finding some one who is expert at dealing with this is tough......most dealer techs are barely functional in this area since many came on board after the system was discontinued in 1995.
The minimalist solution is to remove the active system and replace with conventional springs and shocks/seats, boots, etc [retrofit] for $1500 to $2,000.
At the minimum Texasoil can send you recharged replacements [for around $2500] and roughly $1000 install/change labor........the dealers will want to just replace the 4 strut accumulators [new ones] for around $5,000 [kind of a half way solution but the ride will return to 70% of new]. All new units would run around $9,000
Finding some one who is expert at dealing with this is tough......most dealer techs are barely functional in this area since many came on board after the system was discontinued in 1995.
The minimalist solution is to remove the active system and replace with conventional springs and shocks/seats, boots, etc [retrofit] for $1500 to $2,000.
If you have an active car you must , must have a service manual. In the manual there is a self test procedure. Turn on the ignition but do not start. Then toggle the high/low switch back and forth a minimum of 10 times before 10 seconds are up. Leave it on low,and the dash "active susp" light will blink trouble codes. Each code is a two digit entry, and there is a pause between. For example, "55" is the all OK code. The suspension light will flash five times, short pause , then flash five times again. After a long pause it will repeat. Try this and tell us the code. But, you must still get a manual.
You have a sensor problem. These are not so expensive, and may be easy to replace. Texasoil, mentioned earlier, who does recharges, or I, who have a parts car, may be able to supply a used part.
You have a sensor problem. These are not so expensive, and may be easy to replace. Texasoil, mentioned earlier, who does recharges, or I, who have a parts car, may be able to supply a used part.
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texasoil
- Posts: 875
- Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2002 3:18 pm
- Car: '92 Infiniti Q45A
'94 Infiniti Q45A
'94 Mercedes-Benz SL600
Active suspension diagnosis
Fred Jackson pretty well covered the first steps. The Q45 active suspension system is extremely reliable and trouble free EXCEPT, by design, the nitrogen charge in the accumulators slowly dissipates. It is the nature of the type of accumulator Infiniti used( free piston rather than bladder seal). It is very rare that other parts of the system fail, and a good supply of 'recycled parts' are available--if you know enough to ask for help. Dealers don't have much choice but to use new--except most of them will install my recharged accumulators now. ( I wholesale the parts to them, they charge retail to you)
I supply exchange recharged accumulaotrs for $250 each with 1 year 100% replacement warranty, lifetime 50% off.
It costs less to keep an 'active' active and performing as new than the periodic (50K miles) conventional strut replacement required on the standard cars.
I supply exchange recharged accumulaotrs for $250 each with 1 year 100% replacement warranty, lifetime 50% off.
It costs less to keep an 'active' active and performing as new than the periodic (50K miles) conventional strut replacement required on the standard cars.