infiniti engine lose power/hesitation>>does not start

Post by **msudawgs98** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

I need your help. My J30 does not start! Last night, I bought an octane booster and put it in while i filled up my gas tank. On the way home everything was fine until I passed a slow car. I accelerated and noticed that it didn't have quite as much power coming from engine. As I pulled up in my neighborhood, I noticed that I was losing power. The engine would idle roughly>>would hesitate>>hard shift. Noticibly, the more I throttle it the less power I have. I drove around the neigborhood a couple of times and I noticed that it was getting worse. I pulled in my driveway and let it idle. It would idle correctly then suddenly it would drop to where the car would vibrate and shake. Finally, it just stalled. I tried to crank up the car this morning but it would just turn over, idle roughly for half a second and stall. I definitely need help on this one. I don't know what to do. The recent changes I made to the car are: new battery, replaced oil/filter, replaced fuel filter, and replaced air filter. Again, I'd appreciate it if any of you guys can help me.

Post by **NY94J30** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

Any sounds from the rear (i.e. fuel pump)?

Post by **msudawgs98** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

"Any sounds from the rear (i.e. fuel pump)?"

there's no weird sound coming from the rear.

Post by **DAEDALUS** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

Replaced air filter? Wiggle the MAF harness connector on the intake tube right above the airbox. It gets loose/corroded over time and can cause the symptoms you're seeing. I am certain it has nothing to do with the octane booster, since those don't do anything.

Post by **maxnix** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

Daedalus is correct, but might it have been contaminated gasoline? Do you use this station regularly.

Were the station's tanks being filled while you were there? Have heard of that stirring sediments and totally trashing a new fuel pump with dirt.

Post by **msudawgs98** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

"Replaced air filter?" = I changed out the air filter>>new

I've tried wiggling the MAF harness but still doesn't work. As far as bad fuel. It might be the case. It was raining pretty hard last night. Maybe water in the gas tank? I've already used a water remover>>tried to start it and it still won't work. I've checked the ignition fuse under the hood. The fuse is still good. Any ideas? I'm planning on checkin the spark plugs in a minute.

Post by **maxnix** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

msudawgs98 wrote:"Replaced air filter?" = I changed out the air filter>>new

When?

What Daedalus was asking indirectly was if the MAF connector was hit accidentally. Did you take it off to check for corrosion? Wiggling it may or may not improve the contacts if they are bad. Usually best done while running to see if there is a problem.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

Post by **msudawgs98** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

"Replaced air filter?" = I changed out the air filter>>new

I've tried wiggling the MAF harness but still doesn't work. As far as bad fuel. It might be the case. It was raining pretty hard last night. Maybe water in the gas tank? I've already used a water remover>>tried to start it and it still won't work. I've checked the ignition fuse under the hood. The fuse is still good. Any ideas? I'm planning on checkin the spark plugs in a minute.

Post by **msudawgs98** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

I checked the MAF contacts and they're in great shape. No signs of corrosion. I changed out the air filter probably around 3500 miles ago.The J is still not running yet. Keep the suggestions coming. The J is my daily driver. It's still too cold to ride the motorcycle!thanks again

Post by **msudawgs98** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

alright brand new spark plugs in the J30 still NOT working. what gives? i'm getting a little frustrated. need help!

Post by **cweberj30t** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

Sounds like your engine is starved of fuel. When you replaced the filter, did you pull the fuse? I would check the pump fuse and the pump to make sure you are getting pressure. It could also be a failed injector as well.

Post by **DAEDALUS** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

How did the old plugs look?

Post by **msudawgs98** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

"How did the old plugs look?">>The plugs looked like it needed to be replaced. I can tell that it was flooded since the injector smelled like fuel. Also, there's alot of carbon deposit all over the tip of the plug.

"Sounds like your engine is starved of fuel. When you replaced the filter, did you pull the fuse? I would check the pump fuse and the pump to make sure you are getting pressure. It could also be a failed injector as well.">>I didn't pull any fuses when I replaced the fuel filter. I did, however checked on it today to see if it was burned out. I'm goin to siphon out most of my gas and add new fuel to see whether it'll work. As far as a failed fuel pump, where is that located?

Can I have the car towed and have diagnostics performed on it. Will a failed fuel pump or injector show up in the diagnostics? How much will this cost? I haven't given up just yet. I prefer to solve this problem with all your help

Post by **DAEDALUS** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

Pull the fuel pump fuse, and crank it over several times...hopefully it'll start after a bit. I think you're running way too rich. Maybe there's an injector leak? What year is the car and how many miles? A bad O2 sensor would make things worse too. DId you notice how the exhaust looked when it ran? I think the pump is in the tank...most of us are Q owners, but the J is mechanically very similar. Do you have a fuel pressure gauge?

http://www.fuzzycats.com/j30.htm

Post by **msudawgs98** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

"Pull the fuel pump fuse, and crank it over several times...hopefully it'll start after a bit. I think you're running way too rich. Maybe there's an injector leak? What year is the car and how many miles? A bad O2 sensor would make things worse too. DId you notice how the exhaust looked when it ran? I think the pump is in the tank...most of us are Q owners, but the J is mechanically very similar. Do you have a fuel pressure gauge?"

I have a 1994 J30t with 140000 miles. I cranked up up the J30 numerous times until it finally quit due to a dead battery. What I noticed is that the car has started, instead of half a second, for a couple of second and it just dies. As far as the injector leak, how would I check it? As far as a bad O2 sensor, where would it be located. I failed to mention that the check engine light has been on and off from time to time. What are some of the problems with a check engine light? Would a bad O2 sensor make the check engine light come on? As far as the fuel pressure gauge in the J, mine doesn't come with one. Thanks again

Post by **IvoryJ30t** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

maxnix wrote:Were the station's tanks being filled while you were there? Have heard of that stirring sediments and totally trashing a new fuel pump with dirt.

gas pumps have their own replaceable filters.

they look like the oil filter off a diesel truck.

thats why sometimes it takes a gas pump forever to pump, the filter is dirty.

Post by **maxnix** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

Yeah but gas pumps are like cars; some are maintained and some are not.

The story to which I referred was posted on a G35 forum. Infiniti did not cover the complete replacement cost.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

Post by **cweberj30t** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

msudawgs98 wrote:"1. I failed to mention that the check engine light has been on and off from time to time. What are some of the problems with a check engine light?

2. Would a bad O2 sensor make the check engine light come on?

1. If your check engine light has been on and off from time to time, then something is telling your ECU that it is not functioning correctly. I'm thinking it's most likely a failed injector.

2. Yes

Since it isn't starting, and your battery is dead, tow it to an Infiniti Dealer and have them run Consult and see what codes it's throwing out (since your check engine light is on).

Post by **msudawgs98** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

"tow it to an Infiniti Dealer and have them run Consult and see what codes it's throwing out (since your check engine light is on)."The infiniti dealer is 2 hrs. away.

Post by **VA99Q45** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

A better way is to buy a OBD II scanner at Advance auto or Pepboy. They have a good one at $129. If you find out that you don't really need afterward, you can always return within 90 days.

Post by **cweberj30t** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

How bout a Nissan dealer? If not, then a fairly good mechanic that knows Nissan/Infiniti.

Post by **mateo** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

maxnix wrote:Daedalus is correct, but might it have been contaminated gasoline? Do you use this station regularly.

Were the station's tanks being filled while you were there? Have heard of that stirring sediments and totally trashing a new fuel pump with dirt.

Its hard to get very much sediment in fuel anymore (at least in California). The regulations with filters in the tanks, etc. cause less and less junk being xfered into the car.

Post by **msudawgs98** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

"A better way is to buy a OBD II scanner at Advance auto or Pepboy. They have a good one at $129." What does the acronym "OBD" stand for? Is this the same used on infiniti cars (will it show what's wrong with my car)? I'm not too keen on this particular subject.

Post by **VA99Q45** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

OBD stands for on-board diagnostic. If you want to learn more about OBD II, go to this website http://www.obdii.com

The OBD II scanner at auto part store is not he same as what they use at the dealer, but it may shows you what wrong with your car.

Post by **cweberj30t** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

OBDI for a 94 J30. You can have Autozone check the codes and look them up in your service manual.

Post by **cweberj30t** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

You can check the codes yourself if you can find the ECU. Do you have a service manual? Look up diagnostics and ECU is on the passenger side kick panel. You have to turn the screw to diagnostic mode. It will flash X amount of times and then pause then flash another X amount of times. The first set is the first number (if it flashes 5 times then the first number is 5) and the second set is the second number. Look up the number and you will find what code it is. You can look it up in your service manual.

Post by **msudawgs98** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

According to the website, this particular OBDII scanner does not work for my '94 J30t. The OBDII scanners were not standardized until the '96 model year. The only Infiniti model that's compliant that year was the Infiniti G20

Post by **cweberj30t** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

^^^^^^^^ Check my post before that. You need an OBDI scanner and you can check it without it.

Post by **msudawgs98** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

Can anyone of you tell me where the fuel pump is located on my '94 j30?

Post by **Rex** » Thu Feb 26, 2004 4:42 am

msudawgs98 wrote:Can anyone of you tell me where the fuel pump is located on my '94 j30?

Every J30 owner should have Carlos_Knology's page bookmarked. Look under the J30 parts diagrams.

infiniti engine lose power/hesitation>>does not start

infiniti engine lose power/hesitation>>does not start

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