My '02 Q45 won't turn over. [SOLVED - missing key transponder chip]

[Jester.308]

So this Wednesday I went to go look at my Q45 that started right up after sitting for over a week at the dealership. It ran smooth, showed no hesitation. The fact that it started up right away is one of the reasons why I bought it. Come Friday the guy offers to bring my car up for me so I didn't have to travel back down. mentions although it's a new battery one of my buddies left a light on while trying to find the moonroof button but he jumped the battery and it started right up. He drives it up two hours. I finish making my payments and he leaves. I walked to my grandma and said "You want to hear it purr?" she said sure as I hopped in with my Midas touch, took out the unusual key and put it in the ignition to watch the car lights, speedo, other electrical features turn on. But the engine just fails to turn over and start up, they say cars like this are the type to not start in right in your drive way rather than on the road, does anybody know why the f*** it happened right after I bought the car?

[EdBwoy]

That's an odd one, but I see it in my 2003 M45 sometimes.

Usually I get in, put the key fob in and wait just a little while for (I assume) the computer to recognize the transponder. But my car sits a lot, and this happens during the first drive after sitting.

[Jester.308]

Well it was driven two hours when I went to turn it on.

[EdBwoy]

It could happen if the time between unlocking the door and an attempted start is too short. Have you tried to stick the key in and wait for a while before turning it? I think you'll hear a click

[Jester.308]

It could happen if the time between unlocking the door and an attempted start is too short. Have you tried to stick the key in and wait for a while before turning it? I think you'll hear a click

No, I have not although the fob battery needs to be replaced so I opened the door with the key, I remember I just put the key in and turned it at the dealership earlier this week without waiting and it started up. I will try that when I go to look at it tomorrow, unfortunately I can't park it at my house until it's registered which blows because I want figure this out.

[Jester.308]

So I just got back, the metal key only opens only the door and trunk and will turn on the car but wont turn on the engine. The plastic part however when I put it in and twist it won't turn. A magnet fell out of my fob when I changed the key and I left it at my house not knowing where it went. I just put it back in and I'm heading back to the car to see if it'll turn now that I put the magnet back in.

[EdBwoy]

You got it, that "magnet" is your transponder chip.


If you need a spare key, read this: 03-m45-key-replacement-t591081.html

[Jester.308]

I got it started but the service engine light came on, the dealer lied to me so I'm returning it, I'm quite frustrated right now, mostly because the dealer knew and didn't tell me and even went as far to clear the code which I'll be sure of tomorrow when I hook it up to the computer and find out how many times he cleared the code.

[EdBwoy]

I thought it was pretty unusual for a used car dealer to drive a 15 year old Infiniti 2 hours one way to a buyer... but this is 2017 and my definition of "usual" is constantly being stretched.
Before jumping to any conclusions, find out what code it is. It might be something minor that surfaced recently.

when I hook it up to the computer and find out how many times he cleared the code

That's possible?

[Jester.308]

I thought it was pretty unusual for a used car dealer to drive a 15 year old Infiniti 2 hours one way to a buyer... but this is 2017 and my definition of "usual" is constantly being stretched.
Before jumping to any conclusions, find out what code it is. It might be something minor that surfaced recently.

when I hook it up to the computer and find out how many times he cleared the code

That's possible?

If the codes weren't cleared completely yes apparently so. I was originally going to come back and get it myself but he offered to do it and fill the tank so I wasn't going to say no to that, I should have an update tomorrow but the way it's looking the car came with KY Jelly.

[Jester.308]

Update: The car through 6 codes that the guy cleared and the suspension has a problem 1k+ in repairs is what my guy says, Eleventh Street Associates in Fall River, Massachusetts is the place for anyone wondering.

[michaich]

So what were the codes? The only thing I can see to keep the car from starting all the time would be the cam positioning sensor, which is easier to replace than the second thing, crankshaft positioning sensor. There could be a few more, but those two are common and most of the time overlooked! I would hate to see you give up a nice ride only because the small camshaft needs replacing. Suspension can't be all that bad if the dealer was willing to drive the car for 2 hours just to deliver it. With that being said...Follow your first instinct! If it tells you to run, then run as far away from that deal as you can!

[EdBwoy]

I also had those sensors in mind at first, but then the key fob "magnet" & being able to even get to the codes made me think that the original issue had been solved.

Not sure how sweet the deal was, but 6 codes (could be the same 3 pending & also active, after all) might be a little too much for me if I paid perfect car money assuming no problems. It'd be helpful to know which ones they are though.


FWIW:
I sell my vehicles the same way I buy them - tested from a cold start. If the seller can't accommodate that simple request, deal is off. If buying from a dealer, I tell them I'll be there in the evening and show up as soon as they open. It sucks to be surprised but this way I get to know all the quirks as the car is started after a long hiatus. Dead battery, noisy engine, low oils & fluids, a tire losing air, oil drips & smells, transmission that won't shift until warmed up, etc...

[Jester.308]

Yeah the original issue was solved, but this new issue arose and I remember asking my dad, what do you think it will cost for the car to pass inspection because it will not pass over here with the issues, I said "so what is the number dad 1000 to be road worthy?" and my mechanic just starts shaking his head and also said the dealer cleared the codes before I bought the car and before he bought it down. I really wanted this car but I bought it being told that the rotors needed servicing soon and that was it. After I get rid of this I'm going to get a STS, the 02 Q45 and the 03-04 M45's are my dream car so I will own one someday.