Few questions for Q45 experts (long post)...

[aez987]

Hello,

I have a 1997 Q45t. I have a few minor issues that I need assistance with:

1.) The driver's side cat converter's heat shield dropped off partially. There was a wire (looked like a ground wire) attached to the heat shield. I completely removed the heat shield. Are there any detrimental effects from removing the heat shield? What was the wire used for?

2.) The car has had a persistent on-and-off hesitation issue for the last 6,000 miles. The car tends to stutter or move very slowly at very irregular times. It doesn't appear to be temperature related, or engine load related - it's just happens at random. I always use premium fuel. I've changed the air filter. Anyone experience this issue?

3.) The wing mounted LED third brake light has a few dim bulbs. The dealer wants MAJOR money to fix. It doesn't appear that it's a simple bulb replacement. Can anyone steer me in the right direction to fix this?

4.) Finally, how do I remove the fog (driving) light lens? I know how to change the bulbs, since I've done that numerous times, but I want to get inside the actual housing. Amazingly, I've been under the car for hours trying to figure out how to remove the lens, but it won't budge. Any help on this one?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

[miata007]

For item #2. Can you elaborate more on this? I have the same car/year and also have a problem with engine not being smooth and acceleration problem as well. I thought about replacing the spark plugs/coils but don't have the time/money right now.

007

[1990q45er]

I wouldn't exactly describe myself as a Q45 'expert', but this might help:

#2: Sounds like a MAF problem. The pins in the connector shell are crimped, not soldered, so they come loose after a while, and will cause random stuttering, among other things. I'm not sure if that's a problem with 1997 Q's, but it sure was a problem on my 1990 Q. Cleaning the MAF and throttle might help as well..

If this isn't the problem, then it might be a mis-firing cylinder.. might wanna check the spark plugs/coils, but (speaking from experience) this is quite a *****.

anyway, that's my two cents.. hope it helps.

[elwesso]

Welcome to NICO!!!!!!!!

1. No detrimental effects, juts dont park over a pile of dry leaves.....

2. Sounds either MAF or Knock sensor related.....

3. No one here has come up with an easy solution to this..... However if you were crafty you could probably figure out what LEDs they use and solder in new ones.

4. See attached photo... To get the foglight out, simply GENTLY pry out that little reflector thing and then there are 2 screws you remove... you can then pull out the ENTIRE foglight assy... From there youll have to seperate the lens from the housing by heating it up and prying it away.....

[aez987]

Thanks for the feedback.

Forgot to mention for #2 that I had the dealership replace the spark plugs, and still no better.

Thanks again.

[redmanfx]

Thanks for the feedback.

Forgot to mention for #2 that I had the dealership replace the spark plugs, and still no better.

Thanks again.

Check the MAF first and let us know if you smell gas from time to time. Injectors clogg, get stuck and so forth so it may also tie into an injector issue.

If you clean the MAF, DO NOT GET THE ELEMENT WET WITH CLEANER, clean the screens and tube and blow the MAF off with air pressure.

red

[1990q45er]

If you clean the MAF, DO NOT GET THE ELEMENT WET WITH CLEANER, clean the screens and tube and blow the MAF off with air pressure.

red

i wish I had known that before I cleaned my MAF.. i soaked it with cleaner. doesn't seem to have caused any problems though..