Just a few semi-random questions

[elwesso]

1. As some of you know, my cruise control stopped working...... So i have started diagnosis, by testing the stop lamp switch and brake switch......... How do you test the switches???? The BCM is in the way, and I dont think I want to take it out (I always get a little nervous around the Qs computer components)..... I could hardly get my hands up there to unplug it, let alone get tester probes up there........

2. When I let go of the steering wheel on a normal road, it sort of shudders........ Bad steering rack, or could it be related to my shocks???

3. The power trunk stopped working..... I can open it up with the key, but I cant use the switch on door........ It makes noise like it is trying to open, but it wont open.......

[Q451990]

1. As some of you know, my cruise control stopped working...... So i have started diagnosis, by testing the stop lamp switch and brake switch......... How do you test the switches???? The BCM is in the way, and I dont think I want to take it out (I always get a little nervous around the Qs computer components)..... I could hardly get my hands up there to unplug it, let alone get tester probes up there........

The brake switch is fine if your brake lamps work. If you're not comfortable probing the other switch, try to find which pins that switch feeds on the CC control harness. You should be able to check continuity there.

2. When I let go of the steering wheel on a normal road, it sort of shudders........ Bad steering rack, or could it be related to my shocks???

Could be any number of suspension components, badly warped rotors, or out of balance tires.

3. The power trunk stopped working..... I can open it up with the key, but I cant use the switch on door........ It makes noise like it is trying to open, but it wont open.......

Check to make sure the solenoid hasn't slipped or the cable isn't loose. I've heard of some solenoid failures on the Maxima, but not common on the Q.

[elwesso]

If the stop lamp/brake switchs are ok, what could be causing my CC woes........ I dont get any power when I test the no. 5 terminal (i think) and the body ground..... I dont know, and I dont really want to take it to the dealer, because it will probably cause a fortune to get it fixed...... Its not that im not comfortable doing it, but the BCM is in the way, and I dont want to take that out to test it, unless I have to.....

Ill have someone come out and help me look at the trunk... It is a real PITA to take the key out and unlock it that way........ I dont think the solenoid is bad, because it does make noise, and occasionally it will open it up...... How do I tighten the cord.......

[90Q45blue]

It could be a worn-out cruise control servo. I hope that's not the case as those are a 500-dollar part from Joe. If it is the case, look at salvage yards. http://www.car-part.com

Nick

[90Q45blue]

Part cost on that site is 45-150 BTW.

Nick

[elwesso]

See, the thing is, the ASCD main switch (the switch on the dash that turns it on.....) doesnt even illuminate when I press the button, so that means (at least to me) that it isnt getting any power..... It was working beautifully, and then it seems when I unplugged the battery it stopped working........

If you all have any ideas on what this might be, let me know!!!

[Eswift]

2. When I let go of the steering wheel on a normal road, it sort of shudders........ Bad steering rack, or could it be related to my shocks???

3. The power trunk stopped working..... I can open it up with the key, but I cant use the switch on door........ It makes noise like it is trying to open, but it wont open.......

2: wheels, tires, or tie rods?3: is there a latch adjustment procedure in the manual?

[Eswift]

for your ASCD, fuse or relay?..i assume youve checked, but its worth mentioning. i can remember testing lots of circuits without checking all fuses and fusible links first...and being really pissed off when i went back and checked em later.

[elwesso]

Well, I would check the ASCD fuse (the big blue one), but I cant get it out and im dont want to break it....... I know it runs through the horn relay, and the horn works fine.......

Any suggestions on that would be good........ What other fuses and fusible links are there for the ASCD not to get power......?

[VimyJ]

For your trunk actuator, check the disable switch in the glove box. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with my trunk until I remembered that my wife had actually put a pair gloves in there (gloves in the glove compartment? When does that ever happen?) and inadvertely switched the thing off.

[elwesso]

Thanks mike..... Ill verify that, although I never get in the glove box........

How do you get those big blue fuses out of the underhood compartment....... I dont want to break anything.......

[elwesso]

UPDATE-- Trunk works great..... I just bent back the little thing that pops the lock open...... a 30sec job.....! I think the FSM was lying to us when it says the tightening procedure of the cable, and there is nothing there, unless i have to dig into the solenoid.... and that isnt going to happen...... Well anyway, it works great!!

Any ideas on those big fuses...... And also, what other fuses do I need to check......?

[Q451990]

I think you might be talking about the blue relays at the bottom of this picture (viewing the fuse box from the side)?

[Q451990]

If so, you remove the relay (the one in the middle beside the gray one) by pushing in on the plastic tab closest to the fender with a common screwdriver while pulling up on the relay. You can see the tab in this picture with the relay removed.

[Q451990]

You can test the relay with a multimeter. Read the diagram stamped on the top of the relay to find out which pin numbers to probe. The coil should check continuous in the ohms scale (same as touching the meter leads together) and the other two should check open. If you connect the coil terminals of the relay to the (+) and (-) terminals of the battery you should hear the relay click and the other terminals will then read continuous.

Another way to check the relay is to swap it with a known good relay, like the a/c relay at the left end of the row (assuming that your a/c compressor works now). It's the same type of relay with the same part number, so they should interchange.

Heath

[elwesso]

Heath..... As usual full of information.......... Thanks for the pictures, they really helped out...

I checked the relay, and switched it with the AC one, and they were both OK...... The ASCD brake switch is fine.......

Where should I go from here??? Any other fuses to check......?

[Q451990]

I've never had a problem with my ASCD other than an occasional problem where it won't set (cruise dash indicator blinks) - but I can just turn the dash switch off and back on again and it's fine for another few months...

The only thing I can suggest is that you go through the diagnostics step by step in the FSM until you narrow it down.

Did you mention that it stopped working after you had the battery disconnected? If so, you might try disconnecting it again for an hour or so and then hook everything back up. Sometimes mysterious electrical gremlins will reset and disappear this way...

Heath

[elwesso]

I have already gone through the FSM about this...... And if you undo the connector from the ASCD main switch (dash switch) and test a certain terminal (cant remember off hand) and the body ground, it is supposed to show up as battery voltage, and it comes with nothing........ Which leads me to believe that the switch is bad, or a fuse is blown....... I dont have a multiple probe tester, so I cant test the switch...... Which is why I need to know where the other fuses/relays could be so I can test them.....

I have disconnected the battery numerous times, but Ill try it again....... Maybe tonight when I go to bed, and it will be undone all night.......

[elwesso]

No worky.........

[elwesso]

Come on!!! Someone on here has to have experienced this problem.... I checked the ASCD fuse in the passenger compartment, and it is ok..... I even switched it with a known good fuse....... This has to be something simple!!!!

[Q451990]

if you undo the connector from the ASCD main switch (dash switch) and test a certain terminal (cant remember off hand) and the body ground, it is supposed to show up as battery voltage, and it comes with nothing

You did test it with the ign. switch in the "on" position (dash lights illuminate and a/c fan runs) - right?

If so the FSM says check fuses and harness. Which only looks like that one fuse in the fuse block. You might want to spring for a better meter. You can buy them inexpensively now... probably less than $40.

Heath

[elwesso]

Yes..... And I do need a better meter, the only thing that works right now is the continuity (i used my grandpas meter while I was at the shop to test it)........ Ill try and get a new one sometime here soon, so Ill get back then........

Ive checked the fuses...... So what "harness" needs to be checked???

[Q451990]

I assume they mean the harness to the switch... you should be able to follow it back to the fuse block at some point. If you have continuity from the block to the connector, then check the fuse for 12V. If it's not there then you'll follow that back to the battery and look for a break.

The other option is to have a Consult test run and see what they find. Might save a lot of time and money.

Heath

[forecast]

Come on!!! Someone on here has to have experienced this problem.... I checked the ASCD fuse in the passenger compartment, and it is ok..... I even switched it with a known good fuse....... This has to be something simple!!!!

I'll put my money on the ASCD unit being bad. It's about the side of a pack of cigars and located in the dash just left of the stereo.

Labour getting it out is a pain, but if you offer to pull it yourself you could get it for $30 maybe at a junk yard.

[elwesso]

How much would a new one cost??? Also, is there any way to test the unit????

[elwesso]

Ok...... UPDATE...... (sorry for the resurrection, I know this is probably bugging the crap out of everyone)

Well anyway, I got me a new digital mulitmeter, and I dont get any volts when I do the no1 termal and body ground..... I checked the ASCD fuse in the passenger block, the ASCD relay, N/P relay, and the horn relay in the engine compartment block.....

So, i put everything together again...... But, I noticed when I press the ON button on the dash switch, something under the hood clicks, and it clicks again when I press the off button....... Would this still be the ASCD control unit being bad??? If so, where is this thing (and how do you get to it)

Also, I could buy a unit from one of the members here (fxjackso), but its from a 92..... Would it be compatible with my 94?? Because Im sure if I were to get it new it would cost a fortune!!

[Q45tech]

I'm misssing why you haven't chosen to diagnose the easy way by pluging in the Consult and letting it do all the self tests.These cars were not designed for non technicans [without the proper tools] to diagnose.

Worst case you pay $97 for the dealer to diagnose then refuse the repair and fix it yourself. After you spend 1-2 hours that is the cost effective solution.

Many modules on the 94 are different from 90-93 because the 94 and later used versions of the CAN data bus to minimize wiring size and amounts.

[elwesso]

Fair enough!!!

Would a regular nissan have the correct consult to use on my Q..... Or am I going to need to go to an INFINITI dealership???

[elwesso]

Ill tell you what, this is one of the goofiest cars ive ever been in!!! It works again!!!! The light doesnt come on (on the dash switch), but everything else works great....

Stupid car.......