All Wheel Drive

[Brovi]

Hi all: I'm new on here and I have 06 M 35X and just few 2 days ago my AWD light came on but not sure exactly what to do next. The manual states to take it for service ASAP and I know the stealership will charge me a lot just to look at it. Any idea what I should check/look for? Or could it be a fuse issue?

[mazz]

check brake fluid levels a low fluid sets off wierd idiot lights

[Brovi]

Thanx, mazz. Is that common for this type of vehicle to run low on fluids? I'll be having it checked out today and see what comes up and I'll make sure to have them check the fluid too.

[SteveTheTech]

The brake fluid will not have any impact on the AWD light.

There are several fuses that control the system but if that is the only warning light on it is likely a problem with the transfer case.

If you want an answer for free it is probably a failure of one of the items within the hydraulic coupler that will require its' replacement.

[Brovi]

Well, I had it scanned at a local mechanic shop that service all types of vehicle yesterday and there's no reading on what is causing the light to come on. SteveTheTech, how can this hydraulic coupler be detected from a scan? And how bad can it be if this doesn't get checked ASAP? Will this cause any other damage to my driving? Thanks a lot for your response

[SteveTheTech]

Most garage scanners cannot communicate with control units on Nissan networks. At the dealer we have a special computer and I do not know how the other side of the world deals with these problems.

If the coupler seizes it is possible the vehicle will stop moving. But when the light is on the unit should be in fail safe mode and defaulted to rwd only. This will make the car much less stable in foul weather. I strongly suggest getting it looked at as soon as you can.

[cji4130]

how many miles on your 35x brovi? ever have the transfer case fluid changed on your vehicle?

[Brovi]

Thanks, Steve. Would it matter if I take it to Nissan or Infiniti? I bought the with 95K and I now have about 105K and change. I just did the 105K service on it including spark plugs but I didn't bother to have the transfer case look at. The light came on last friday so I will be taking it in this weekend.

[SteveTheTech]

As far as which dealer, it kind of has to be Infiniti. Here is why.
The 2006 M scares many Nissan dealers. They do not have anything like it. The electronics and awd system are two systems they do not really use. A Nissan dealer could scan the system for you and you might find one nearby with a guy there that knows these systems but with only a few very expensive parts you really do not want to guess here.

What do the tires look like?

[Brovi]

Got a scan done and it came back with code C1205 (AWD Actuator Relay). Now, I have tow options I was told. First one is to replace the entire relay or replace the electric controlled coupling in the transfer. What it is your suggestion Steve?

Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus
Ultra High Performance All-Season 245/45ZR18

[SteveTheTech]

Ahh yes I have seen this code before on a few occasions.

The logic for the code would lead you in the direction of the relay as that is the description of the code. However the fault is triggered when control unit commands the relay to activate and the coupler. There is however no fault code if the coupler fails to respond to that command. What I think you have is a damaged coupler. Unfortunately this is quite an involved repair. But there is a reasonable option if you have someone you trust to fix it. There is a tsb for an unrelated problem that has a separately available part number to replace just the coupler. (meaning the price is typically lower) I will get the part number and bulletin ID for you. The replacement of the coupler is not a DIY repair for the average weekend warrior. I cannot imagine how difficult this would be on the ground.

I really should have worded my tire quesiton a little better.
What is you tire wear like?

A difference in rotational diameter of 6 millimeters is enough to stress and damage the coupler.

[Brovi]

Steve, I see that you either live or work in Alexandria. What are the possibility of me bringing my car to you instead? I live in Silver 0spring, Maryland and If you are able to provide me the part # on the coupler I can get it and maybe pay you for the labor? I do have someone that can work on it, but you seem very knowledgeable of these things since you are an Infiniti owner yourself. I would really appreciate it if time permits you to help me out or recommend an Infiniti expert (apart from the stealership). Thanks a lot

Front 2 tires has about 90% thread
Rear 2 has about. 60-70% thread

[SteveTheTech]

Ha, how about that what an oddly small world.

In any case. I am a senior tech at the stealership in that area. I can get you a very fair price on it but I do not work on the side.

As far as tire wear is concerned I have a working theory that damage to the transfer case is more likely to occur when the front tires have more tread than the rears. If the fluid in your transfer case has an awful smell that will make the third car in the recent past that I have personally seen with this fault code, more tread on the front tires, and burned clutches.

[Brovi]

Hahahaha!! What a small world. You are correct. In this case, I will gladly accept any offer, advise you are willing to give cause my situation is case sensitive. In response to the tire tread and transfer case, are you saying I am more likely to experience this problem as we speak?

Is it possible to come see you personally at your location and perhaps have a second look again? Your help is very appreciative, Steve

[SteveTheTech]

Hopefully I can change your perception of the stealership, we really are not all bad guys.

Shoot me an email ( nicostevethetech_at_gmail.com) and we can set something up. I would like to give you an honest opinion of what it really looks like in there. If we do not do anything when you stop by we can rotate the tires and disconnect the transfer case which will disable the awd system and have it default to rwd only it could buy you some time.

I can check on the parts information for you tomorrow.

[Brovi]

Well we do understand that Dealers have to make some sort of revenue for providing service to us and so the perception we, as "civilians", have on you guys aren't always accurate though we are trying to save money as well. I really do appreciate all your help.

I'd rather get the parts needed to have it done the right away instead of going from awd to rwd. Once you are able to provide me the part #, I will go ahead and get it. I will definitely contact you via email tomorrow once I hear from you. Thanks a lot, steve.

[finikM35]

Hi! So how often does transfer case fluid needs to be changed? i bought the car with 80k on it and now its little over 100k and i have no records on what was done to the car before.

Nvm i see its every 30k so i should probably do it now.

[SteveTheTech]

I understand the gamble you take when bringing your car in for service anywhere. In my career I have worked in about one of each of the levels of service. You really never know who is going to drive your car, what they are going to sell you, or who will actually be working on it. Unlike many other skilled tradesmen we almost never actual meet the clients. That is something I do not like. I have felt for many years that if you (the owner) got to meet and talk with the person actually fixing the car and understanding exactly what you are concerned about. That is however not always possible in the real world but developing a level of trust is essential to ensuring you leave there feeling like you spent money wisely, instead of wondering what (or if) they did to your car is terrible.

As far as intervals, once you really pass 60K it should be inspected annually I would say. You can tell by the color and smell when it is time to change it. Also water intrusion and contamination is something that must be checked when the fluid is inspected. I have seen some cars go very long periods with original fluid and they have been fine. It seems like wear and driving habits effect the wear level.

[Brovi]

Hello fellow forum members: I just want to let everyone know that. Stevethetech is the best tech guy I have ever known. Nothing more, nothing less. Simply the best!!! I took my car in for service and he was able to save me tons of dollars I would have spent if I had taken it to the average jo shop as oppose to Infiniti dealer. You guys should take his recommendations/advices/ things to look out for and do when he does post them on here. I will forever be grateful and I will now switch my current service center to the Alexandria location. Stevethetech, you're the best!!!!

[cji4130]

Hello fellow forum members: I just want to let everyone know that. Stevethetech is the best tech guy I have ever known. Nothing more, nothing less. Simply the best!!! I took my car in for service and he was able to save me tons of dollars I would have spent if I had taken it to the average jo shop as oppose to Infiniti dealer. You guys should take his recommendations/advices/ things to look out for and do when he does post them on here. I will forever be grateful and I will now switch my current service center to the Alexandria location. Stevethetech, you're the best!!!!

Hey brovi,

glad to hear your issue has been resolved. please be a little more specific on how much this cost you to fix, and how much the dealer potentially tried to charge you. also steve, how common of a problem is this on our 35's with all wheel drive? i will be changing my transfer case fluid as soon as the weather improves.

CJ

[Brovi]

Well, steve diagnosed my car issue first without even looking at it and it turns out that he was actually correct on possibility of replacing the Electric Controlled Coupling for the AWD that could have cost me around $1500 plus change but it turns out that a leaking from my sunroof was causing the Actuator relay to respond and possibly going bad completely. Anyway, I took it in for tire rotaion and balance and he completely diagnosed every single component, cleaned and readjust the roof, cleared the AWD code off the dash..and there you have it. Steve,you're the best!!!

[cji4130]

Brovi!

i know this is off-topic, but i also had my tires rotated about 1000 miles ago and before i had them, the tire pressure monitor system worked perfectly, now does NOT work AT ALL! just ** all around. howabout you?

[Brovi]

I am not really sure, to be honest with you. I am a new kid on the block when it comes to these things. I think Stevethetech will be able to provide an answer/solution to your question. By the way, my car is running smooth like its brand new

[SteveTheTech]

Brovi, Thanks for the kind words I am glad I was able to help you out with this.

It turns out the root cause was corrosion at the awd control unit. When we formed a list of concerns to go over something sounded a little funny to me. I started by checking the condition of the transfer case fluid (which was actually looked great). The was not it, then I watched the computer signals and found that the signal was registering but the coupler never saw it. A visual check of the control unit showed that there was green corrosion on the bottom of the connector. I have a bunch of chemicals and tools for cleaning this but sometimes it is too far gone to be saved and the connector and control unit require replacement. Brovi was actually quite lucky that his water leak was only a few months old.

The cost to replace the awd coupler could exceed $1500 depending on where you get your parts.

[cji4130]

Where is this control unit/connector located on the vehicle, steve? id like to give mine a visual inspection as well, in an attempt to avoid this in the future lol my m is getting up there in milage, havent quite hit 100 grand yet, but getting there.

[SteveTheTech]

It is mounted to the passenger side of the interior of the body behind the trim cover in the foot area under the glove box.

If you unplug it be sure to do it with the car in the OFF position. If you unplug and inspect the white connector for anything fuzzy and green you will quickly be able to rule that out. Although many things have to happen for water to leak there it has happened.