Introducing Myself...New NICOclub Member (1991 Infinite Q 45a Owner). Help!

[RBYoshioka]

Hello,

My name is Robert Yoshioka and I am the proud owner (third owner) of a 1991 Infiniti Q 45a with approximately 227,000 miles on the odometer.

Several days ago, on my way to Oakland, California, I experienced a significant loss of power on an upgrade approximately 40 miles into my 300 mile (one way) trip.

I managed to get off the freeway and found a Japanese car repair shop. They took the car out for a drive and when they returned, they informed me that my transmission refused to shift out of first (or second) and that they thought that I would have to have a new transmission installed, or at the very least, would have to have the old one rebuilt. In either case, the price for the work verged on $2,100.00.

I was able to drive the car back home via back roads, and took it to a local transmission repair facility (who shall be nameless at this point) and after he drove the car around the block, he also confirmed that the transmission needed to either be replaced or rebuilt, and he quoted me approximately the same amount ($2,100.00) to do the work.

Then I got to thinking...Neither of these transmission repair persons had any significant experience with Infiniti Q 45a's of any vintage, and I needed to get more information from a reliable source. It was at that point that I Googled "Infiniti Q 45a" and after some scrolling, came across NICOclub.com.

My cousin is visiting us for the Thanksgiving holidays and he is more handy with cars than I am, and when I tried to describe the problem, we took the car out for a drive around the block (the third time) and we could not get the car to shift out of the lower two gears.

We performed the electronic self diagnosis for the automatic transmission, as detailed in the service manual and were presented with the following error codes on the diagnostic information display: "4, 5, 6, 7, and B."

We were able to remove and then re-seat the AT Control unit, at which point the sensor on the instrument pod registered "OK," but when the car was re-started, the "Transmission Malfunction" message appeared.

At this point, I am not sure what to do. The Q functioned beautifully until I lost power on my way out of town, and I am wondering which of the following options makes sense for me:

1. Sell the Q to the transmission dude for $100.00 - a price he says is fair (but is it)? He already charge me $75.00 to "diagnose" the problem when I brought him the car initially, and says that he would be willing to "gamble" to fix the transmission and then would "try" to sell the car and make a "small" profit. In hindsight, his math is suspecious, and after having paid him the $75.00 up front, I would only be making $25.00 on the transaction

2. Sell him the car for $200.00. Am not sure that he will go for the raised price. My net would be $125.00...not much, I think, for moving on a beloved member of our family!

3. Consult with either another transmission mechanic or the Nissan Service Department at out local Nissan dealer...If they do not have the proper diagnostic equipment, and if they do not have much experience with troubleshooting Q 45's anyway, why bother, or am I mistaken here?

4. Contact Mr. Jerry Tucker (name found on this forum) apparently an extremely capable and fair mechanic in San Diego via email and see what he has to say for himself.

5. Try to get information from someone here on this forum regarding a reliable place to purchase a rebuilt Q transmission (am I mis-reading the posting...did someone say that such transmissions might be available for upwards of $200.00 from someplace in LA, at a "Nissan Building..." with or without a warranty, and have the "new" transmission installed here in Santa Maria?

6. List the car for sale, "as is" on EBay and ask approximately $600.00? leaving the car and its accumulated problems to another owner. If I had the time or the expertise, I know that I could sell off parts of this car and make more than the $600.00 that I would be asking for on EBay.

The Q is in extremely good condition, having spent its whole life (as far as I can determine) here in California. I am the third owner, and have put on approximately 120,000 of the 227,000 miles.

I will try and take some photographs as soon as our house guests have left, and will post them here for everyone's perusal.

So, troops, any thoughts? Any suggestions? At first I was in a hurry to get some resolution (sale or fix) of my Q, but after reading most of the postings to this forum, I must admit to falling back in love with the car (again for the nth time), and could use some dispassionate advice.

Thanks in advance for ANY help that can be rendered.

Best of the season to you all,

Sincerely,

Robert B. [email protected]

2.

[ceningolmo]

Holy crap!.... Best first post to the Q forum EVER.

I'm one step above a total ignoramus, so I won't attempt to help. I am sure some of the experts will step in to help you out.

Welcome, again.

[elwesso]

welcome to the asylum, or the best Q forum on the net!

Well, this is certainly an unfortunate debut into the Q world. I assume since you've read the posts (good boy!!!!!) you know about the chain guides, and all that fun stuff (if you're wondering if its a hint if you havent done so, youre right!).... so ill pass over that and go to your issue.

Impressed you did the self diagnosis.

"4, 5, 6, 7, and B.. Good lord, ive never heard of that many codes at once. However, its a good thing, because theyre all related...

The codes are for the shift solenoid A, shift solenoid B, overrun clutch solenoid, torque converter clutch solenoid, and line pressure solenoid, respectively.

Heres the short answer... if the trans was shifting fine before and it suddenly stopped, that menas theres no mechanical problems.. also, very rarely do you get mechanical errors and electrical ones at the same time.. So i think the worst case we're looking at here is replacing all of those solenoids, which would probably be in the neighborhood of $400 plus 2 hours labor... However, more likely, its a bad connection somewhere because these solenoids dont really fail completely like this, especially enough where the computer detects a problem (which basicalyl all it knows is if theres a short or an open circuit)....

im guessing you may be looking at a bad ground somewhere..... Someone who is skilled with electronics can do this, or you can try and do it yourself. We can help!

[maxnix]

.... we took the car out for a drive around the block (the third time) and we could not get the car to shift out of the lower two gears.

You realize that in D at less then WOT the transmission starts in 2nd gear?

No mention of timing chain guides being redone. Suggest you spend some time reading through the posts. $200 rebuilds are a slip of the keyboard.

Might want to read in particular posts by texasoil and Q45tech.

With your enthusiasm and comprehension, I predict you will become a Q master. Might not drive your car until you figure a few things out first.

Jerry doesn't have the time nor does he have to say anything about himself. He is booked up weeks in advance, and reading testimonials about his level of service here will give you a clue as to why.

Welcome aboard.
Modified by maxnix at 7:52 AM 11/27/2006

[Ozzie]

Q45tech is the man.......

Why that dude shares so many secrets and years of knowledge here is beyond me....

He COULD make a mint off of us (Q owners), but choses instead to share his knowl;edge and wisdom for free here.......

I hope a few members here take their car to him..... Not that he needs to work harder!!

PS: I hope the cheaper solution that wes (elwesso) offered fixes your car.... Let us know what you do, and how it all goes..

DON'T GIVE UP ON THAT Q45a!!!!

[Q45tech]

Every [non wrecked] broken Q is worth $500 delivered to the buyer...even those with a bad engine or transmission as a parts car! However in CA there may be junking fees I'm not aware of that might diminish the value?

A proper Nissan Factory transmission is >$2000 + $500- $750 installation, however in EL Monte there is a giant importer of Japanese Junkyard engines and trannies.

[SoCal90Q45]

Got a good used trans for $300 installed it ... its not Rocket Science.

I'll find out where my bro got it. He did it - he ended up with my 1990 Q45a

[lino]

Wecome to NICO RBYoshioka!

It's nice to see another Q45a member here. It seems that we tend to find this site for the first time right after having a problem with our cars. I never knew about this forum until I did a search online looking for a solution to my flat accumulators. I bought my car and was in desperate need of help as my car almost made me cry whe I found out how much work I needed to do to it. Then as fortune would have it, I found this unbelievable club. The members here are amongst the most helpful, resourceful, and kindest people I've ever seen, with such a genuine interest in helping and now I love my Q so much that I wouln't trade for anything else. It's not perfect, but I'm doing the best I can. I wish I was as fortunate as you and could say that I have driven the Q for 120,000 miles. I've had my car for only 1 year.

Listen to Wes and maybe your problem does not require replacing the transmission. Best of Luck and when you get around to it, please post pics.

[Q45tech]

If you plan on keeping any car for a while you must spend some time thinking about how and where to get replacement parts and major items IN ADVANCE before they fail!

On this site you will see constant reoccurring themes:Shocks, front suspension parts, fuel pumps, FPCU, ac compressor, rad, alternator, idler pullies, water pumps, belts, hoses KS, injectors, transmission mounts, window regulators, etc.

[lino]

How often do transmission mounts go?

How often do window motors and/or regulators go? My driver's side window is starting to work slower than it use to. Is that a sign of failing motor or regulator?