Just bought, help me fix my minor issues...

[paranoidjack]

1996 J30, pearl white, love the car, shifts too much but fast as hell...

a) no CEL working (failed emissions due to knock sensor malfunction and idle control failure..this is how I found out there were problems). wondering if it is a bulb or if there is an easy way the dealer disabled it.

b) pass window does not go down ( I hear this is a common infiniti/j30 issue)

c) some dash lights (rear defog) are out, just bulbs I think

d) At times, car seems to REALLY bog down until maybe 3k, then SURGES back to life (I'm thinking this may be knock sensor related). Typically runs it's best when cold.

Thanks for the help in advance guys...I am very mechanically inclined and will do all the work myself, but need some pointers...I come from the domestic world and this thing has so many sensors it's ridiculous.

Also, do they normally idle loud? I know it's not an electrical fan but a crank fan..but DAMN that ***** is loud!

[driverdriver]

1996 J30, pearl white, love the car, shifts too much but fast as hell...

a) no CEL working (failed emissions due to knock sensor malfunction and idle control failure..this is how I found out there were problems). wondering if it is a bulb or if there is an easy way the dealer disabled it.

b) pass window does not go down ( I hear this is a common infiniti/j30 issue)

c) some dash lights (rear defog) are out, just bulbs I think

d) At times, car seems to REALLY bog down until maybe 3k, then SURGES back to life (I'm thinking this may be knock sensor related). Typically runs it's best when cold.

Thanks for the help in advance guys...I am very mechanically inclined and will do all the work myself, but need some pointers...I come from the domestic world and this thing has so many sensors it's ridiculous.

Also, do they normally idle loud? I know it's not an electrical fan but a crank fan..but DAMN that ***** is loud!

Welcome to NICO!!!

Answers to some of your questions:

(b) Could be switch or something else. Best to take apart the door and have a look.

(c)bulbs go out in the clock, AC/Heat unit and Stereo. All are easy to replace.

J's don't Idle loud when warm. They do however start-up like a 50's Buick and idle loud till warm. This is normal. Loud idle all the time isn't. Check your MAF.

[paranoidjack]

Wow, wasn't expecting such a prompt reply.

Thank you my friend (apu)

hmmm...so when I pull the dash apart to change the bulbs, where to get the new ones? Are they just generic tinies?

EDIT: Also, the car died twice today as soon as I started it. Sputtered and died. Third time caught after a short struggle and drove like a champ all day...worries me....

[driverdriver]

To access those bulbs:

(1.) remove bezel around transmission shifter. Lift up gently. The bezel is held by tabs. (2.) You will see two screws at the base holding the wood in place, unscrew them.

Full instructions are at http://www.fuzzycats.com in the J30 DIY section along with pictures of the bulbs.

The bulbs are a dealer only item and are cheap.

As for the sputterring and dying, I think you fuel pump and/or sending unit is dying.

[paranoidjack]

thanks, just ordered the bulbs...how to check for the fuel pressure on these cars? Easier to just bring it in and have it checked at the stealership you think?

[DominickJ30]

I am sick and tired of people dogging dealships and their techs.

Guess what, you have a problem with your car, and you obviously do not have the skill to fix it yourself.

Just take it to the pro and bend over.

Why is it that people have no problem paying skilled people like doctors and engineers but when they need a trained technician to fix their car the labor is not worth a dime.

[paranoidjack]

easy killer, I'm not looking for trouble.

I'm referring to the fact that they charge $83.63 for an ashtray.

I am fully capable of working on my car, have changed an engine, transmission, and have services suspension and brake systems on my vehicles for years.

I am a shadetree mechanic, not a pro by any means.

I'm only saying that some parts are ridiculous. My $.60 bulb is a good deal...an $83 ashtray is not. Yes yes, junkyard, I know..done and done.

Go to the "dealership" and ask them for a new OEM steering wheel, bring a pillow for when you hit the ground!

[paranoidjack]

Nice box btw, used to be a MECP installer so I can appreciate it's quality. I've always been a fan of sealed boxes.

[elwesso]

Welcome to NICO paranoid!!

Ive never heard of the CEL light actually burning out... id assume its integral wiht the instrument cluster.. I wonder whats causing the IAC to not work right...

b and c have been answered already, i agree with them

It could be KS related, id also check into the fuel pump..... Once you replace the fuel pump and fuel filter, go from there.

[paranoidjack]

Thanks elwesso... I've been searching for a j30 forum since I got my car a month ago...it's a bit tough to find one with substance. Prior to my J I had a '91 Prelude that I loved, god for such an old car http://www.preludepower.com has HUNDREDS of thousands of posts on just 3rd gen ludes...

Looking forward to the forum here.

[J-Owner]

Sounds like Domick J30 needs to take a chill pill! I am sure ALL dealerships and techs are honest and trustworthy............hang on I am still laughing........I recently purchased a new G35 coupe and was lied to as usual. You just have to pick and choose through the BS. Also, I finance multilillion dollar properties and I don't make $83 an hour, excuse me my dealership charges $98. Everyone has there own opinions!

But I digress..... as a former J30 owner I had your same problem with the sputtering and in my case it was the fuel pump. You might check there. The J is an awesome car, I really miss mine.

It was certainly better than the expensive beautiful shiny piece of **** I have now. That G coupe rattles like a damn tin car! Fast, yes! Worth $40K, HELL NO!

[elwesso]

Sounds like Domick J30 needs to take a chill pill! I am sure ALL dealerships and techs are honest and trustworthy............hang on I am still laughing........I recently purchased a new G35 coupe and was lied to as usual. You just have to pick and choose through the BS. Also, I finance multilillion dollar properties and I don't make $83 an hour, excuse me my dealership charges $98. Everyone has there own opinions!

But I digress..... as a former J30 owner I had your same problem with the sputtering and in my case it was the fuel pump. You might check there. The J is an awesome car, I really miss mine.

It was certainly better than the expensive beautiful shiny piece of **** I have now. That G coupe rattles like a damn tin car! Fast, yes! Worth $40K, HELL NO!

INteresting thoughts J Owner....... I think your post has a lot of truth to it...

Do you really not like you G35??? Would you take your J back???

One thing im finding that many people that own old infiniti's dont likethe newer infinitis... I for one dont like the G35 too much, i havent had the priveleage of driving a 6mt yet... I dont know, it "just aint the same"..

[VimyJJ]

It was certainly better than the expensive beautiful shiny piece of **** I have now. That G coupe rattles like a damn tin car! Fast, yes! Worth $40K, HELL NO!

That's not good news for me. I've had my eye on a coupe or X. Gotta remember that the J was a $40k car 10 years ago. It was one of the reasons Nissan got into financial trouble because it was expensive to produce and FWD was all the rage at the time. My 95 J is still amazingly tight, very comfortable and fun to drive after 165k miles.

[J-Owner]

Honestly guys, I have been very disappointed with the G Coupe. I mean to look at it it is amazing! Beautiful! HOT!!!!! to drive it however is a different story.

That thing has had so many rattles in the 8 months I have owned it I can't even tell you. I continue to take it in to have some creek or rattle fixed. I didn't spend that kind of money to have something that rattles like a tin can.

I don't like the drive, it rides rougher to me than my mom's corvette did. I rode in a friends Mustang GT last night and it drives smoother.

Now I understand, it is a sports car and it does have tighter suspension so on that front it does as it is designed to do.

What I have realized in owning the G35 Coupe is that I am not a sports car person and I am ABSOLUTELY a luxury car person. If I had it to do over again I would have gotten the new or even a used M (I always liked the old M style while others didn't) or the FX.

I feel that while the interior upgrades on the '05 were needed and are nice they cut some corners on this car and what really pisses me off is that for '06 now you get the memory seats and the bluetooth and the keyless start! Go figure. The memory seats would have been nice because everytime I take the car to the car wash the idiots can't figure out how to get into the back seat so they move my seat all the way up and then I have to reset it to get that perfect seating position that I know can't find. I have just told them to stay out of the back seat all-together from now on.

Sorry for the tirade there. My final point is I would absolutely take my J back in a heartbeat. That was the best car I have ever owned. I loved that thing! And then I got the car fever and I let that damn salesman talk me into getting a newer car (mine was a '95). The J was an incredible car and while I am sitting in traffic in a top of the line $40K luxury coupe, when I see a J pass my head turns like it was a Bugatti that just drove by.

I am debating on selling the G but have no decided anything yet. I may keep it a few more years and see what else they may come out with and then get rid of it. Time will tell.

Later,B

[paranoidjack]

Welcome to NICO!!!

Answers to some of your questions:

(b) Could be switch or something else. Best to take apart the door and have a look.

(c)bulbs go out in the clock, AC/Heat unit and Stereo. All are easy to replace.

J's don't Idle loud when warm. They do however start-up like a 50's Buick and idle loud till warm. This is normal. Loud idle all the time isn't. Check your MAF.

Thanks man, changed the bulbs today, interior instantly feels 10 million times nicer at night.

Now the CEL issue...I need to resolve this asap, I can't figure it out! All fuses are intact, and there is no relay for it or anything. I'll have to take the dash apart to see if I can change the bulb, if that is it. No one has ever had a CEL burn out on this fantastic vehicle?

Sorry about the G man, but I really do think that they don't build cars like they used to. My 90 prelude feels 10x more solid than the new civics. I am not impressed with many vehicles past Y2K...mercury marauders are sweet though!

[VimyJJ]

Man, that sucks! I was really hoping the G would be a great replacement for my venerable J. I took some test drives in the new Infinitis and they drive very nicely but it is hard to gauge how well they would hold your interest over the long haul. One of the most amazing things about the J is how refreshed you feel after a long drive in it. Perhaps there is no 6 cylinder replacement vehicle for that car. I drove a great 2003 M45 but I'm limiting myself to a 6 banger.

[J-Owner]

Well, again everyone has a different opinion so while I wish I would have gotten a different model Vimy you may like the coupe. It varies.

I just wish it rode more smoothly and wasn't as plasticy inside. While it doesn't look too plasticy inside it is which is the source of a number of different rattles.

The car is incredibly sharp to look at and is fast it just didn't turn out to be what I had hoped for.

My J had 133K on it when I sold it. It was a '95 T maroon w/ black leather and was meticulously maintained. I sold it for $5,400 to a guy out of state. I am sure he is REALLY enjoying it and will probably put another 100K miles on it. My loss is his gain I guess as he got a great car.