Bugs in the Electrical System???
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LongBeachQ45
- Posts: 89
- Joined: Sat Jul 15, 2006 8:09 am
- Car: 1997 Q45/Cima Hybrid
Bugs in the Electrical System???
I recently purchased my 90 Q45, which has under 80K miles, but have noticed some odd things with it's interior functions. The A/C control unit's power cuts in and out with no telling when in may work, the seat and steering wheel sometimes dont move into their saved position when you put the key in (but always return to the exit position when the vehicle is turned off), the steering wheel wont telescope foreward or reverse, and the radio squeels, eats tapes, and the front speakers dont work. What can I do to fix any/all of these problems, and when replacing the stereo, what brand fills the massive whole left by the bose? Also, what are the costs of the new chain guides and can they be put in by myself? I am capable of working on cars, but I have always owned late 60's muscle cars, so imports and computer systems make no sense to me. Anything will help.
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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
Re: Bugs in the Electrical System??? (LongBeachQ45)
1990 Q had some bugs but most of these problems you describe come from just being a 16 year old car with 17 year old electronic components.
Capacitors have a finite life and this decreases with exposure to heat, the hotter above 70F the shorter their life!
One of the weaknesses in junk yard parts of the same age is they have probably been subjected to the same heat..............Arizona - TEXAS vs Minnesota - NewYork JUNKYARDS.
The automatic telescoping steering wheel is usually a dirt problem on the pontentiometers that translate position to a reference voltage.
Climate control display is usually a solder joint or two overheating from ambient heat and just age [which increases current flow thru the joints.
Lots of 90 Q are worn out having owners who didn't keep up with replacements to maintain as new standards.
We see them all the time cars which need $6,000 to $12,000 worth of rehabilitation [usually 55% parts and 45% labor @ 70/hr].
Worst Case:77 hours of shop time = 60 hours of focus efficient work by experts. [tech who work on Q45 everyday of the week for the last 10-15 years].
$6600 in retail oem parts or $5,000 with a discount or maybe $3,500 from junkyards, ebay etc.
Impossible to say what shape a car is in whether in needs the 6k or the 12k or somewhere inbetween.
A car of this caliber would be $50,000 today so spending $5-8,000 is peanuts.
I am sure there is lots more wrong that you haven't noticed.
I spend [maintenance and repairs] $42,000 over the past 307,000 miles and 16 years keeping my 90Q functional and 100% working to near new specs. $2625 per year on average but one $7,000 year [year 8]and one $6,000 year [year 9].........the last 7 years have average just at $3,000 per year.
Old lux sport cars can cost almost as much as brand new ones to operate, when depreciation disappears M&R just take its place. Savings are primarily insurance, tag tax, and interest expense.
Capacitors have a finite life and this decreases with exposure to heat, the hotter above 70F the shorter their life!
One of the weaknesses in junk yard parts of the same age is they have probably been subjected to the same heat..............Arizona - TEXAS vs Minnesota - NewYork JUNKYARDS.
The automatic telescoping steering wheel is usually a dirt problem on the pontentiometers that translate position to a reference voltage.
Climate control display is usually a solder joint or two overheating from ambient heat and just age [which increases current flow thru the joints.
Lots of 90 Q are worn out having owners who didn't keep up with replacements to maintain as new standards.
We see them all the time cars which need $6,000 to $12,000 worth of rehabilitation [usually 55% parts and 45% labor @ 70/hr].
Worst Case:77 hours of shop time = 60 hours of focus efficient work by experts. [tech who work on Q45 everyday of the week for the last 10-15 years].
$6600 in retail oem parts or $5,000 with a discount or maybe $3,500 from junkyards, ebay etc.
Impossible to say what shape a car is in whether in needs the 6k or the 12k or somewhere inbetween.
A car of this caliber would be $50,000 today so spending $5-8,000 is peanuts.
I am sure there is lots more wrong that you haven't noticed.
I spend [maintenance and repairs] $42,000 over the past 307,000 miles and 16 years keeping my 90Q functional and 100% working to near new specs. $2625 per year on average but one $7,000 year [year 8]and one $6,000 year [year 9].........the last 7 years have average just at $3,000 per year.
Old lux sport cars can cost almost as much as brand new ones to operate, when depreciation disappears M&R just take its place. Savings are primarily insurance, tag tax, and interest expense.