Electrical Issues

[buckwild]

What's Hangin Q Folk

I'm new to this forum and I have had a luv for the q since it's introduction. Like many I couldn't afford such a high end vehicle at the time. This website has helped me so much already but I have to ask a quick question just to get a general direction to pin point my problem.

I recently purchased a 91 (std) Q with 130,000 and a very new looking engine. Engine and trans didn't have any issues. I purchased the car in Queens, NY and drove it home to Philly, PA. There seems to be some sort of random electrical issue. The first would be the front speakers making a high pitched noise and you could barely hear any music unless you turned the volume all the way up. Second would be the passenger window would work without any problems and then one day I rolled it down for a second and then it just died. I took the window off track (like the rear two) cause I thought the motor went. Well a few days later the motor made a buzz and it was working again. Third is the gas gauge, it never seems to float at the proper level. It seems to stay at half a tank when I get gas and then it doesn't seem to want to drop below 1/4 tank. And the last issue is the temp control unit which I've seen already as a common issue with the LCD going in and out. Mine only came on once then as soon as it came on it went off. I was thinking about the ecu being the issue. Has anyone had any of these symptoms? Also I did search for related issues and I haven't some across anything similar.

Thanks for any and all help.

[elwesso]

welcome to NICO!!!

First your bose amps are probably shot. You are probably better off installing a fresh aftermarket stereo then messing with the bose IMO. The bose is great when it works but once it dies its hardly cost effective to keep it going...

For the window id wonder if a regulator has gone and its hanging on for dear life. Id take the door panel off and see whats going on. IT could be a loose conection. just see whats going on, thats your best bet... we can advise once the panel is off and we REALLY see whats going on.

you might ask the previous owner if the fuel pump was ever replaced. Common for inexperienced techs to bend the float, or its just stuck. I did it first time I replaced the fuel pump, and I had to take it apart again and fix it...

Send your climate controller to Jerry tucker so he can rebuild it and make it work again!!

[96Qowner]

1. The first would be the front speakers making a high pitched noise and you could barely hear any music unless you turned the volume all the way up.

2. Second would be the passenger window would work without any problems and then one day I rolled it down for a second and then it just died. I took the window off track (like the rear two) cause I thought the motor went. Well a few days later the motor made a buzz and it was working again.

3. Third is the gas gauge, it never seems to float at the proper level. It seems to stay at half a tank when I get gas and then it doesn't seem to want to drop below 1/4 tank.

4. And the last issue is the temp control unit which I've seen already as a common issue with the LCD going in and out. Mine only came on once then as soon as it came on it went off. I was thinking about the ecu being the issue. Has anyone had any of these symptoms? Also I did search for related issues and I haven't some across anything similar.

Thanks for any and all help.

Welcome to NICO! Glad the site has helped.

I can offer a couple answers.

1. The amps in your Bose speakers are probably shot. More specifically, the capacitors go bad with age. There are a couple places on the net where you can get them rebuilt for $100 or so.

3. It sounds like your float is bent. This often happens when someone not acquainted with the Q replaces the fuel pump - they try to go through the trunk instead of the back seat and it's too tight that way - float gets bent when the new pump is installed. Any evidence of it being replaced? If so, you can go back in and pull the pump and straighten the float - not exactly easy, but not impossible either.

I doubt it's ECU issues.

[Edit] I see Wes answered you in Infiniti Online Mechanic. Try not to cross post.
Modified by 96Qowner at 2:56 PM 1/9/2007

[qsiguy]

Welcome to NICO! I'll provide my opinions on these issues and I'm sure many will offer their advice as well.

High pitched noise in the speakers is most likely due to the Bose amps going out. I believe there are some capacitors in them that goes out and that makes them squeel. You can have them rebuilt, replace them with some used ones you may be able to find here or on E-Bay, or last, if you are handy with electronics you may be able to repair them yourself. Each speaker has it's own amp in the doors.

The regulator for the power windows will wear out occassionally but it wouldn't have started working again. The "regulator" is the mechanical mechanism the window moves up/down on. I haven't seen too many motors go out. When the regulator goes it's usually the cable guides crack and the cable gets tangled up which binds up the regulator and the motor can't move it anymore. If it started working again it could have been a bad/loose connection, a window switch, or there is power window control unit in the door that I've heard can go out although I haven't experienced this.

Fuel gauge issue is probably either the gauge or the sending unit in the tank. You can simulate the signal from the sending unit in the tank and see if the gauge works then. I'd have to look it up to give you the details of that as I don't have my FSM with me now. The sending unit basically sends a ground signal to the gauge with varied resistance to ground. You'd have to pull the panels out of the trunk to access the top of the fuel tank. From there you could also measure the resistance of the signal wire from the tank. Of course you'll have to take readings with fuel in the tank and them run it down and take another reading to see if it's working. I'll look up some details in the FSM and repost or if someone else knows it they can post some info.

I haven't done the temp display light but I'm pretty it's not difficult. Some else will have to post on that one or if you do some searching you will likely find some info.

I doubt the ECU has anything to do with any of these issues.

Good luck.

[elwesso]

I merged the threads!!

[buckwild]

Thanks for merging the topics.......

I'll take a look at the floater/ fuel unit to see if it's bent. As for the radio/speaker issue I'm not too concerned about at this point (that engine plays it's own tune). I plan on putting all the windows back on track this weekend and I'll check each motor for loose connections. And I may just end up getting a aftermarket system but that Bose sounds great with only one rear speaker working.

Thanks for the quick responses and I think I have some work ahead of me that I'll enjoy cause this forum helped me with narrowing down so many possibilities. I can't wait to get to know her.