Instrument panel, radio, climate control dead on 2006 6MT

[6mtsnow]

My 2006 6MT has 4700 miles on it. Two nights ago when I started the car the instrument cluster went black, radio would not turn on, I could not operate climate controls. Problem went away as I pulled into the dealership-of course.

Infiniti customer service says that they can't fix the problem (with my 4 month old car) if they can't recreate it...BS! I'm escalating the issue at Infiniti, but their customer service tells me their answer won't change...nothing they can do.

Any direction in terms of identifying what's wrong (since Infiniti has so far been unwilling to diagnose the issue) or how to get the "right" attention on the matter within Infiniti would be much appreciated. Anyone seen this happen?


Modified by 6mtsnow at 10:58 PM 1/25/2007

[J-Owner]

either a fuse or something is not connected correctly.

When they replaced my navigation screen about three months ago they forgot to hook back up the lights to the center stack, radio didn't work, climate controls, lights are the gear shift, etc.

The actual instrument cluster, speddometer, etc.worked though. Not sure. My service advisor would not even give me my car back in a situation like that until they had fixed it totally. He certainly wouldn't argue with me or tell me when can't fix what we can't recreate???? He would keep the car until they found the problem and let me have a loaner until it is fixed.

I would be interested to know who your dealership is so I can be sure to never do business with them.

Good luck and keep us posted.

B

[Sprjin]

i've had the exact same problem with my 05 coupe approx. 2 months ago...i was listening to the radio and the instrument panel went black and the music stopped playing... none of the buttons worked, but as j-owner experienced, the speedometer was lit and was in working condition.

i restarted the car and it was back to normal, i have no idea what could have caused it... now its working without problems i hope it will be the case for you as well.

[infinititech1]

once again kinda sounds like a circuit board...but you say the gauges dont' work either?

[6mtsnow]

First let me tell you how thrilled I am to get some feedback. I'm definitely feeling abandoned by Infiniti at this point.

It was evening when this happened, so I can't tell you whether or not the actual gauges were functioning, but the instrument panel was completely black-no lights...climate controls frozen, radio dead.

The problem is not constant and has not resurfaced in last 2 days...$30K+, 4 months old, less than 5k mi...intermittent serious problem is not acceptable IMO.

This weekend I'm going to drive down to the dealership where I bought the car. They were very helpful when I was giving them my money, so I'm hoping they'll be equally willing to help now.

Infiniti customer service suggested that I give the dealership direction on performing diagnostics (how backward is that!) as opposed to them starting the car over and over, so if there is anything you all can recommend I have them look at....

[joe603]

If it happened only one time, I wouldn't worry about it. Could have been a glitch in the car's computer (?)

In any case, I'd sit on it for a while, until it becomes a problem. Your car could sit at the dealership for weeks, while they wait to duplicate, and hopefully fix the problem.

[6mtsnow]

Same feedback from my dealer...they need to recreate the problem before Infiniti can take action. They offered to hold on to the car for several days, but didn't offer much hope of identifying the problem.

I'm going to see if it happens again and then if it does, park the car at the dealership.

[thxsurroundguy]

I have a 2003 sedan that is doing the samething, after hitting it a few times it came back .... did you hear anything back from your dealer yet?

[srv2nv]

Sorry to hi-jack the thread, but I have a 2003 sedan and am currently experiencing the same problems. Every once and a while the radio display and light indicators for the climate control and radio (the little lights that light up to tell you what is selected) go out and won't work. The radio continues to play, and can be controlled by the buttons on the steering wheel, but the climate control actually resets and the buttons won't allow me to change it until the lights all come back on. I've gone on hour long trips without it happening, but other times within seconds/minutes of starting the car, it happens. Sometimes they comes back, sometimes they don't. Any ideas?

[Q45tech]

Welcome to the modern world of intermittent connection diagnosis! 1 in 1000 will drive you nuts.

Don't get pissed at dealer since your warranty is with Nissan and Nissan only pays for diagnosis if some defective part is replaced.

[Thugisharmo]

Hey i had the same Problem What i did was i Replaced the Fuse . After that the raido n everything esle went back into working on my 2005 G35 . You can get it from Autozone for $5

[srv2nv]

Thanks for the quick response. I was thinking it was connection or fuse related, but thought I would ask around before replacing anything. I'm going to check the fuses and other connections this weekend. Hopefully I report back with some good news, thanks again.

[infinititech1]

if it was a bad fuse it wouldn't work at all ever...

[srv2nv]

Well, thats what I was thinking, but it never hurts to check. Since the radio/climate control buttons still light up, just not the lights that tell you what is selected, and with the buttons not functioning, i'm thinking it has something to do with the connection between the panel and the equipment behind it. Is there a guide online that tells you how to remove that piece of the dash in order for me to check the connections?

[G_whizz]

Try a quick search...I'm pretty sure it has been covered...if not let us know and we will see what we can do to help!

[infinititech1]

i said it in the beginning of the thread and i'll say it again...circuit board

[asuliman1]

hey .. i had that prob starting with a short somewhere car came on with a jump but looking at the climate control and seat heater none nothing is work its completely blacked out .... im positive its the fuse but if anybody can guide me to that fuse it would be awesome cuz its damn well cold in columbus to be driving without heat... so hints where that fuse may be ????!!!!

[joe603]

Most likely not a fuse. It's the circuit board. Feel free to check the fuses. They are located on the drivers' side footwell area. Feel free to the the FSM (link in my sig) for detailed procedures on access/testing.

[jmann]

If your battery is getting old and about to die it can cause weird problems like these as well. Since you said a jump start brought it back that makes me think it could be related to a low voltage problem.

[audtatious]

Most likely not a fuse. It's the circuit board. Feel free to check the fuses. They are located on the drivers' side footwell area. Feel free to the the FSM (link in my sig) for detailed procedures on access/testing.

Joe, realize that 2nd postings in a thread you don't show your sig

http://www.nicoclub.com/infiniti-service-manuals