Help! I just got a 94 Q45 a week ago, need help!

[ito]

Hi. I just got a 94 Q45 a week ago and the CHECK ENGINE light came on yesterday.The thing is, that I've never owned an INFINITI before, so... I wanted to figure out what the cause would be to this warning light. The car seemed pretty smooth and stable just two days ago. The difference I feel on it now is the following:- The steering wheel & shift knob tend to rattle a little bit. When I am driving it, on 1st and/or 2nd gear, it tends to make a more costant rattling motion and sound till it picks up about 30+mph.- Another thing I notticed on this car is that it makes a constant crackling sound on or around the Catalytic Converters when turned on and even off (parked).CAN ANYONE PLEASE GIVE ME SOME TIPS/HELP ME OUT... PLEASE? Thanks A LOT guys.

[Q-less]

The noise on the exhaust is normal, could be enhanced by be ac dripping or valve cover leaks.

My engine light came on and I remedied it by cleaning the MAF sensor connection, not only wigggling it but resoldering the connectors. zerothread?id=95260I also replaced my fuel pump. Do you hear a whinning or buzzing noise coming from the rear deck? What is the mileage on your car?

[ito]

Hi there.I am not sure of the whinning/buzzing noise from the rear deck, but i'll check later on for my lunch break.Now, the mileage is... 138+K, almost 139k .Thanks for the 411, I'll definetadly clean the MAF sensor connection... I was thinking of doing this but now that you confirmed, I'll feel confident. The connectors, I'll check those out to see if they need to be held back together.Thank you.

[Q-less]

Don't unscrew those screws unless you want to resolder though. I assume it helps because it looked corroded in there and it came off easily, it will create a better connection.

The mileage seems right for the fuel pump to start to fail if it wasn't replaced at around 100,000 miles. I drove around with the check engine light on for months and never really heard the symptom of buzzing until it died, but the light will come on WHILE it is dying.
Modified by CherryPoppinQ45 at 2:02 PM 4/14/2005

[Q-less]

I only give you my remedies for my check engine light being on. What you really need to do is check the codes that the engine light being on creates. It could be injectors, sensors, etc.

[ito]

Do you know where I could get a code reader?

[Q-less]

When you check on the buzzing you may want to pop the trunk and listen. If you hear buzzing after 10 seconds, your pump is probrably failing. The firs t seconds of buzzing is normal as it is priming.

I'm sure others will chime in soon and give you their two cents. A few will tell you about the infamous search button.

[Q-less]

Do you have the big FSM manual in the gray case? It gives detailed information about how to do it. I'll get mine out and tell you how, you read blinks of the warning light....I think. I haven't done it in awhile, but you don't need a tool for basic codes that are set off from common issues.

[Q-less]

I have had my eyes dilated and its a pain just to get on NICO, but I will read it as soon as I can and post it up.

[Q-less]

WELCOME TO NICO BTW!!

How did you get wind of us?

[911/Q45]

11 years of CA gas=bad fuel injector.

[ito]

I don't have no manual at all.IF you could get that info for me, i'd greatly appreciate it... if you got no time, then it's alright too.I really appreciate your input, thanks again.

[Q-less]

I'll read it and post it soon, I just tried to read it and its all blurry due to my dilated eyes. Hey, at least I'm trying

[ito]

I'll take close attention to the gas injectors, thanks.

[ito]

I ended up here by doing some "NET RESEARCH"... when I saw the URL, it gave me a little flashback. I have heard good rep about NICO in the past, so here i am.

Thanks for the good welcome'

[DAEDALUS]

zerothread?id=21144

[ito]

zerothread?id=21144

^---- THANK YOU!

[Q-less]

My work here is done

DAEDALUS is a great source for information, he has helped me out in the past and surely in the future!!

[ito]

Thanks a lot guys,Nice to know you guys actually pay attention to your forum.My first day and ALREADY got (many) answers.I'll sure keep coming back.

[maxnix]

Be sure to get a FSM, TSB and Service History.

Then set back and start reading. All will be revealed to you.
Modified by maxnix at 6:33 PM 4/18/2005

[ito]

Guys:

I am back again, still having trouble with my car.

This past weekend, I didn't have much time to get TOO INTO the car, but I did have enough time to give it a good under-the hood visual inspection.

There's a new thing that i notticed, after running the car...Obviously, the car had been shaking, but it just got worse now.When I noticed the increase of rattling and shaking of the steering wheel & shift knob, I decided to pop the hood. What I found is the following:

FIRST OUT COMEs: The MAF seems to have been replaced already, as it looks quite "new"... .and I noticed a red label that said "remanufactured product". The other thing that I was suggested to check, was the Fuel Pump; this one tends to be new as well.I bought this car from a small dealer, and a lot of parts/sensors/alternator tends to be new and/or been replaced.PROBLEM?:I notticed some white smoke coming out of the driver side of the engine. It seemed as if it was coming out of that piston. What I am guessing now is that, problably... it's leaking thru there? what you guys think?

P.S. A little hint I might add is that... I've felt quite enough loss of power when I accelerate. 0-35mph'ish takes quite a while now and the RPM HAS to go all the way up to, what... 3500-4000RPM.

THANKS A LOT GUYS. Hope to see some answers/suggestions soon. See ya'. -ito

[maxnix]

How did you inspect the fuel pump?

Is the head gasket or the exhaust header gasket leaking? In either case, I wouldn't drive it until correctly diagnosed.

[Q-less]

The other thing that I was suggested to check, was the Fuel Pump; this one tends to be new as well.

Are you guessing this because you saw a new FUEL FILTER, or did you actually remove the back seat, rear deck, and open up the gas tank?

[ito]

How did you inspect the fuel pump?

Is the head gasket or the exhaust header gasket leaking? In either case, I wouldn't drive it until correctly diagnosed.

From what I saw, it was the exhaust header gasket leaking.You wouldn't drive it, but the bad thing is... that's the only car I got at the time, so I got no choice.Well, yeah, like I was mentioning the loss of power: It DOES seem quite slower as I accelerate from a stop 'till it picks up to 35~40mph; as I be doing this, it makes a puffing sound.Now, the other thing is, i.e. on the freeway, when I already be going at a certain-steady speed (so to say, 50mph) then I try to accelerate more... in THAT case, it feels no problem.
Modified by ito at 10:05 AM 4/19/2005

[ito]

Are you guessing this because you saw a new FUEL FILTER, or did you actually remove the back seat, rear deck, and open up the gas tank?

You are right, all I saw was the "new" fuel filter. I apparently got them mixed up. I'll go ahead and get to the gas tank this coming weekend, until that time will I get a chance to do so. Thanks for bringing that up.Now that we're talking more about the PUMP itself, IF it was the fuel PUMP that was going bad... then what's up with the exhaust gasket--- on the driver-side of the engine?>> What's the cause of all that shaking motion? Cause I'd say it is quite intense. So to say, when I get to the first stop light from my house after having the car parked; that's when it rattles the most, so much that you can see my knees shaking too.
Modified by ito at 10:09 AM 4/19/2005

[ito]

I feel I should just go ahead and get it diagnosed, but I really feel kind of skeptical about those auto shops, I really hate going to one, since they're almost always trying to bull---- and make the problem seem worse to make more $.You guys have any idea on what I am looking at, if I did take it to the dealer?... Should I just go ahead and check the ECM myself?

What you guys think?
Modified by ito at 10:04 AM 4/19/2005

[ito]

Would it make a difference on the results whether I check the ECM -or- just take it to the dealer/shop?

[DominickJ30]

Take it to the dealer. It seems like you did all you could. At least you may know part of the problem. They shouldnt bullsh1t you too much.

[ito]

I guess that'd be the best, I just don't want to be lied to... but sure, I could just make sure they explain to me what they say is wrong and try to figure what sounds reasonable and what doesn't relate.

[911/Q45]

Jerry Tucker in Miramar is the man for the Q. Well worth your time to go there for analysis and repair.