G50: New member, new to Q, some issues (was: I'm New!)

[Lakeshow24]

Hello All-

I'm a new '91 Q45 owner. I picked this thing up from an auction, and I'm impressed. Initially I was downplaying the Q45, thinking that I would just give it to my mom. But after returning to my Mazda Protege I'm beginning to want to invest some money into the obviously better car... the Q45.

It ran pretty well for a few days, but I noticed a couple things that worry me a touch:

The "transmission malfunction" indicator popped up the other day, even though the fluid looks clean, normal level, and the transmission shifts crisply. A few days later (yesterday), while changing lanes on the freeway I attempted to give the car some gas to get moving around traffic, and the car briefly stalled for about two seconds before returning to normal acceleration.

Later in the evening, with all lights and accessories on, the engine actually stalled at 2,000 rpms and gas wouldn't move the rpms (I heard the engine speed increase, but the tach didn't move beyond 2100 or so) for about a full fledged minute while I was traveling downhill on the freeway. The engine returned to normal function, but I still wasn't sure what was wrong.

Made it home. Parked. Came back out an hour later to go to McDonalds and noticed the "Brake" light was on, as if the fluid was low. It wasn't low at all.

While in the drive-through waiting on my food, I'm checking my rear view and notice excessive white smoke from the tail, and a rich fuel smell.

Made it back home, parked. Came back out 30 minutes later to change parking spaces, and noticed that "brake" light on and the "Anti-lock" brake light on simultaneously.

What do you guys think? Failing alternator? Or is there some other issue I need to be worrying about?

EDIT: I broke out my Vector alternator and battery tester. Yes, I have a failing alternator. GREAT NEWS! It looks like I'll be in for a long day if I do it myself, or I'll be paying a mechanic a pretty penny to change it out. Is the alt replacement easy... difficult? It looks like I have to remove the passenger wheel, battery, passenger side motor mount, and fan, just to get to the alternator. Is there an easy way out?

[superuber]

Welcome! First off the alt. is not easy to do if you don't have a lift!second: chain guides! Do a seach on these before you eventhink of starting the motor! Unless of course you bought it to trash.Also, what is the service history? mileage?

[96Qowner]

It's tight, but the main thing is to get the AC compressor out of the way.

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[ceningolmo]

Hello and welcome to NICO.

[Lakeshow24]

Welcome! First off the alt. is not easy to do if you don't have a lift!second: chain guides! Do a seach on these before you eventhink of starting the motor! Unless of course you bought it to trash.Also, what is the service history? mileage?

Hmm. Well, it looks like the alternator is best removed from the top. While a lift would be nice, wouldn't ramps suffice? It does look like a tight squeeze between the radiator and water pump, but if the fan is removed there may be some space. I see a solid metal line that may interfere a bit, and I'm not sure what it goes to yet because I've never worked on a Q45 and haven't owned one longer than, oh, a week now?

I don't know the service history at all, although it looks like the previous owner did take it to the Infiniti dealership a few times. I noticed how the engine is leak free, and how little tiny vacuum hoses have been replaced with what looks like OEM hoses (and not Autozone crap). The engine runs quiet, no rattles or squeaks.

I may not even have to remove much to access the alternator if the fan is removed. No? Remove the fan, remove the belt, remove the front bolts to the alternator bracket, and hopefully, just hopefully I'll be able to wiggle the alternator enough to access the wiring in the back of it...? (I'm being optimistic here)

another question... how can I easily tell if I have a Q45a or just a basic Q45? (hoping I have the "a" model and some nitwit stole the 'a' from my Q)

[ceningolmo]

another question... how can I easily tell if I have a Q45a or just a basic Q45? (hoping I have the "a" model and some nitwit stole the 'a' from my Q)

It would probably be pretty obvious to you at this point... the "Active" isn't exactly a hidden feature. There is all sorts of extra stuff on your car when you have an Active.

However, here a few things you can look for... 1. Check for an N - H switch in the center console between front seats. That is your Normal or High ride height setting.2. Look at your engine compartment.... right in front of your power steering reservoir... is there a mysterious looking reservoir that says "fill only with Nissan Active Fluid A"? If so, you have an active.3. Look at your front strut towers... do you have large metal hoses running in to the top of your "struts"? If so, you have an active.

[Lakeshow24]

It would probably be pretty obvious to you at this point... the "Active" isn't exactly a hidden feature. There is all sorts of extra stuff on your car when you have an Active.

However, here a few things you can look for... 1. Check for an N - H switch in the center console between front seats. That is your Normal or High ride height setting.2. Look at your engine compartment.... right in front of your power steering reservoir... is there a mysterious looking reservoir that says "fill only with Nissan Active Fluid A"? If so, you have an active.3. Look at your front strut towers... do you have large metal hoses running in to the top of your "struts"? If so, you have an active.

Awww man! I failed every one of those tests (1-3).

I guess this just gives me an opportunity to purchase a newer one (with metal timing chain guides included!) and the active suspension.

[ceningolmo]

Everyone knows that the 1991 was the best Q45a evar... well, if by "everyone" I mean me. I own two of them. Bane of my existence... I love them so.

Anyway... chain guide job is long, tedious, and a bit annoying. But, even the partially retarded (me) can do it. So, don't be scared off by those early years. They're the fast ones!

[elwesso]

I mirror everyones sentiments here. The alternator shouldnt be that hard, you will want to take the battery out and the fan and shroud, maybe the radiator if you want even more room.. All of those things shouldnt take more than an hour to get off.

Remove the belt and its not too hard but it takes some fighting to get it off. Some people like to loosen the AC compressor (you dont take it off hte car, just unmount it and leave it hooked up to the hoses) and that gets clearance. I didnt do it when i removed my alternator, FWIW...

[Lakeshow24]

Well, tonight the Q left me stranded. I fully charged the battery, thinking that even though the alt was malfunctioning I could still make it 3 miles down the street to pick up some money and milk from the market. Well, I was wrong. It chugged out on me and I had to get towed back home, about 5 miles.

Now the car is sitting in the garage. I am now paying a taxi to get me to the greyhound station, then taking a 4 hour trip from bakersfield to los angeles, to get my other car from my folks' place.

Ah well. At least I have an iPOD. Gotta go now!

[superuber]

Not to harp on you, but when your car is broke get it fixed and don't drive it!

[Jesda]

"Transmission malfunction" is a farking lie. It almost never comes up when there's an actual transmission problem.

Its much easier from the bottom. A couple hours to unbolt and move the compressor, and then after that its 10 minutes to undo and yank the alternator.

When I did my compressor, I removed and reinstalled the alternator just for the hell of it.

[Lakeshow24]

"Transmission malfunction" is a farking lie. It almost never comes up when there's an actual transmission problem.

Its much easier from the bottom. A couple hours to unbolt and move the compressor, and then after that its 10 minutes to undo and yank the alternator.

When I did my compressor, I removed and reinstalled the alternator just for the hell of it.

A couple hours to unbolt and move the a/c compressor? Do you have a mini write-up you'd like to do? It may help me out. I'm up to the challenge... at home.

[elwesso]

Seach for alternator replacement..... Theres a BUNCH of threads in the Q45 and infiniti online mechanic forums to help you!

[Lakeshow24]

I searched, but don't really recall any articles with step by step recommendations. It's fine though, because I'm sure I won't have a problem changing it myself. I just like being aware of any potential difficulties, strange/unique design aspects of the Q45, etc,.

[maxnix]

The upper nut is the only gotcha, as I am sure you discovered.