Check engine code

[lkercado]

I recently bought an used 96Q45 (A beauty). The car's acceleration is very, very poor. I started to do work on the codes findings from Auto Zone and I got po340 for the Camshaft position sensor, po325 for the knock sensors but there is one they could not identify which was po100. Do you know what that code is for and knowing the parts that I need to replace, Am I in trouble?

freaking out guy here

[Q45tech]

No more than any one else who buys a used [11 year old] heavy lux car.

Cars are sold because the owner learns they need expensive work.

A $50k car in 95 that currently trades in for $4k and retails for $7k, tells you to be prepared to spend it's current purchase price to get it right.

What ever you do when the plenum is off to change the knock sensors and their harness [$1000] make sure EVERY underplenum hose [about 20] and every runner gasket are replaced along with a valve cover reseal and sparkplug change............all in about $2000.

P0100 is MAF = either unit or connector probably both.I'll bet a detailed complete exam will show about $4-5k [at $75 per hour] is needed to make the car perform as nearly new [wear and tear on engine transmission internals excluded]..........all depends on the previous amount spent by previous owners and mileage.

Compared to a equal BMW or MB or Lexus or Audi your total cost [purchase plus rehab] will/could be be significantly less. As these have a $3-$9k purchase premium for the same 1996 model [4door V8] and all will still need the typical used car work.

Not reserving $3k in cash for immediate rehab is the bane of used car buyers.

[maxnix]

Not reserving $3k in cash for immediate rehab is the bane of used car buyers.

As is not obtaining the Infiniti dealer provided service history or not having it inspected by a senior Infiniti service technician (one trained in 1989 on the then new G50 model), preferably before purchase. See the early G50 buying guide, even if yours is the last year of the model for the US.

Get thee to http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/infiniti/ and download a FSM and all the TSB.

[96Qowner]

At least you're not the only one. I bought my 96 with 147K on it, and it immediately needed the cam sensor and an O2 sensor - not terribly spendy. The MAF is relatively cheap - a genuine Do-It-Yourself job - you can get a used one through car-parts.com for less than $80.

The BIG cost is replacing the knock sensors, which requires labor-intensive removal of the plenum. As Q45tech pointed out ... that's when you have to (want to) do everything else - hoses, VC gaskets, plugs, etc, while the plenum is off. I had to do my plenum job because an inaccessable fuel hose started to leak in cold weather.

Don' freak out. You can stall the knock sensor job as long as you don't lug it too much.

I believe Q45tech has repeated pointed out that maintaining a Q will cost you 20 cents a mile or so, whether you like it or not - simply the cost of owning one of the best cars Japan ever built.

[franknitty69]

i recommend:

buying tools (if you haven't done so already)reading the entire fsm (including tsb's)buying parts from joe @ infin of scottsdaledoing work that you can do yourself

the dealership is complete a ripoff and should only be used for diagnosis and maintenance/repair that you cannot do yourself.

this is my opinion and others on this board may feel differently, but i save mad $$$ doing the work myself.

if you get stuck, research on this board. it's the best out there for nissan/infiniti, especially the q45.

[Q45tech]

Actually the 90-93Q cost around 14 cents per mile when calculated from day one brand new! {like 7 cents to the 1st 100k then 20 cents from 100k to 200k.

The 94-96 are less expensive [transmission and chain guides] however an active and touring and traction control each have own their own add on cost.

[lkercado]

First of all ...thank you all for the great advise. Ok, I am done with the knock sensors, cam sensor, plugs, etc... What a pain!!!

Now, the car is running much better but I am having problems when starting the engine. I got new codes (P0115 and P0125) which are ECT's sensors. Do you know the specific parts related to these codes? I can't get Infiniti of Scottsdale to find it by specific name.

P0115- Engine coolant temp circuitP0125- coolant temp for closed loop fuel control

Thanks in advance!lkercado

[Q45tech]

The knock sensor harness also contains the ecu coolant temp sensor on earlier Q............did you replug it [both] in to the new harnesses, these sensors never fail but can get suggish when coated with coolant deposits.

Also another temp sensor in the crossover coolant pipe under plenum.

Less than 15 year experieced Q techs usually have to repull the plenum a few times to fix things they forgot to connect or caused to leak.