Divorcing a Q45

[kanilure]

This is a great forum. I have been using the diagrams and service manuals for years. I am a new member. I'm sorry, but I cannot figure out how to do a search for a key word! This time I have a real problem and a question.

I have a 1996 Q45 that I have had for 15 years, since it came off lease. I love it. My wife hates it. I think she is jealous of the time I spend in the garage alone with it. Actually I have it for sale right now and the idea of getting divorced from it is causing me a good bit of grief. It is only 3 years from antique status here in Georgia, and I have never owned an antique car. Every time I look at it the body lines they say "Classic" to me. Every time I put my foot on the floor and hear that ripping sound of 305 vintage horses, like a Thai Fighter from Star Wars, I think "Why am I doing this?" It's not all that special. I've seen some nicer ones on this forum. But it is all there except the wheel covers that someone stole. The pictures are at this link if you want to look at it. http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... us=50&mmt=[INFIN[][]]&listingId=338255281&Log=0

I am not trying to sell it here on the forum. I have had, like, 18 or 20 people call about it! The problem is I cannot in good faith sell it to anyone, especially a woman, because it is not running right. I got a P0340 code just a couple of days ago. This would be its fourth Camshaft Position Sensor, and I just cannot believe that a car like this would eat CPS's like this. This one is only 10,000 miles old. When I took off the harness connector at the sensor I found that there were four wires, black, black and white, orange, and orange and black. However, there is a fifth white wire not connected to anything and this is what is confusing me. One of the wires, the #2 was stripped a short distance from the harness connector. The orange and orange and black wires were in kind of a wire metal sheath, and the bare end of the fifth wire was wrapped up in the wire mesh sheath and the stripped #2 wire was shorting up against this sheath. So I took the wire sheath off, covered up the stripped #2 wire and taped up the bare wire. Now my Q runs worse than it did before I unplugged the connector and made the changes!

I don't know what to make of this. Could someone have run a fifth wire to replace a shorted one? Should I connect that bare end to the stripped #2 or not. I could take this back to my shop who put the second CPS on several years ago. I put the third one one but I did not jury rig the wires. Can anyone hazard a guess about what is going on here with the wires?? I have not gotten through all the continuity testing yet, and I just can't believe that a Q would eat this many CPS's.

However, the bigger question here and the one I need some guy help on is this: Should I keep my 17 year old Q45 or should I let it go? Every time I spend money or time on it she (my wife) just denigrates me for putting money and time into a "Sunk Cost" in her words. She doesn't understand the way I feel about the car and really doesn't give a s***.

Oh, and there is another problem. I told my wife I would get rid of the Q45 and my 4runner if she would let me buy a Lexus GX470 (used, I don't buy new cars anymore). I thought I could overcome my addiction to the Q by getting a luxury ride with all the bells etc., plus 4 wheel drive, and while I really like this Lexus SUV, alas, it is just not a Q45.

What is it about Q45's? I have replaced just about every GDM sensor on this car at the cost of thousands of dollars before I started doing it myself and yet when I get in it and it is running right, it is the sweetest car I have ever owned (except maybe that 1956 Mercury Montery with the 292 engine).

Now I find myself in potential marital strife because I am thinking of going back on our agreement (my wife and I) about selling or donating the car. Maybe I should just pay her the $1950 and she would be happy?

I need help.

[elwesso]

Welcome to the board...

First off, regarding your CAS issues, that is very strange. I've heard of very few CAS issues with the G50 Q45's, and I believe the CAS on the 96 Q is basically the same as the 94-95.. At this point what I would do is find a "pigtail", or the connector with a section of the harness that you can splice in. Cut the harness on the car off and splice a fresh one in, sounds like the one you have is pretty messed up so it might be easier to splice in a new one and kind of start over.

Most of the CAS issues that seem to come up here usually revolve around the connector, either loose or corroded, or both.

I agree with you though, recently I've driven many cars and I prefer the G50 Q over any of them. This includes an 07 BMW M5, newish G37, M35/M45, FX, and a few others. Yeah, some of them are faster, have more technology, have better interiors, and arguably better looking, but I really feel "at home" in my old Q. It's like comparing a new pair of dress shoes to your old sneakers that are broken in and super comfortable.

My '94 Q has 206k on it, and I really think that if I need a new daily driver I'll just get another Q, perhaps a Y33?

Regarding the cost situation, it's pretty obvious that keeping an old car is cheaper than getting a new one. Lets say you're going to spend between 15k-25k on the GX470 (depending on year). You've already got the Q paid off, so right now you're just paying for maintenance. I would reckon a guess that the GX470 will take a similar amount of maintenance per year (not repairs) than the Q, perhaps even more since it's 4WD. Yeah it might be a "sunk cost" that you'll never get a return on, but overall to keep the Q on the road HAS to be cheaper, especially if the engine and trans are in good shape. Now, if you were looking at replacing the engine and transmission that might be a better arguing point to get out of the car and get something new.

[qship96]

you live in Georgia,home of one of the best specialists in old Q45s, Have Byron take a look at it and fix it properly,once. Search this site for "Byron" and you will find his contact information.I am shocked you have replaced this multiple times,as mine is still the original factory installed part at 295,000 miles on my 96Q.

[Q451990]

http://www.t3atlanta.com/Home.html

Last I heard Byron was still at the S. Cobb location.

Good luck!

Heath

[maxnix]

GX470 handles like a fully loaded cement truck in corners. Very tipsy. You will be very unhappy unless you are over 80. Maybe even then. Can you say timing belts?

T3 for sure.