n00b - stop/tail light inoperative

[nicoblu710]

Hey all -

First -thanks to everybody in these forums. Been lurking here for like 6-9 months after I was pretty much gifted a 92 Infinti q45 by someone who didn't take great care of it but also didnt use it a lot. I know next to nothing about cars but after having some power and shifting and "bucking and jerking" issues I consulted this forum (thanks google) and was able to get the car in really good shape. Thanks really to Hi Tech Auto in Hollywood. Steven - (323) 462-3095‎

It's been running smoothly for about 6 months now which is awesome. Recently, however the "stop light inoperative" & "tail light inoperative" messaging has appeared -and while all the lights work - it's really annoying and I want it fixed.

I took it in a few days ago and the sensors are definitely burned out - so I just went to the infiniti dealership in Santa Monica who quoted me some 90 ssomething dollar price for the sensors (2).

I want to make sure that I am buying the right thing before I put the money down - are these the part #s I need? Any help would be appreciated.

I'll soon post some pics soon (somebody actually like pulled up next to me while on the road and told me about this forum a few weeks ago - too funny)

Anyway, here are the part #s I was given @ the dealership - any help would be appreciated.
2655160U00
2655660U00

thanks again

[oldmako]

Without sounding like a total Tool, did you check the center stop light in the rear window as well? That will also trigger the indicator. It is a sneaky lil mofo.

If you did, my bad and heartfelt congratulations on your thoroughness of examination and troubleshooting. I will stick my head in an unpleasant place for a few minutes as penance for my inquiry and remain humble and at your service. You might consider disabling that annoying little mother as opposed to spending coin to remedy its anomaly.

And I will refresh my cocktail and hoist it in your general direction as a gesture of goodwill and for upholding the Qness brotherhood.

And if you did not, the bulbs are cheap and available at Autozone.

[nicoblu710]

Check the center stop light for what? It's working fine if that's what you mean.

[goody90q45]

Before you buy a $90 brake lamp sensor there's a couple of things to check first. Pull out the brake lamp modules and look at the bulbs and sockets for signs of melting. Squeeze the 2 plastic tabs on the brake lamp module to pull it out from the trunk. The 90-93 have two dual filament bulbs in each module and these are the ones that get hot. Do the bulb tips show any signs of melting? Any signs of melting on the female sockets in the module. Are you using a long life bulb (larger filament), preferably Sylvannia LL? Any burnt or brittle wiring in the module?

The brake lamp sensor, located inside the trunk below the trunk lock, had a tendency to melt solder internal connections mainly on the ground circuit. Remove it from its mounting location in the trunk, gently pry open the case, and look for melted or charred solder. If you know how to use a solder gun and a wick you can save yourself $90. Do a search on this one since a few people have made the repair with success.

[Q451990]

If you have a pull-a-part type junk yard nearby, I would check there for a sensor. Just know that the 90-93 sensor differs from the 94-96. I think there may be differences between the T versions with the spoiler vs. the standard too. One sensor monitors both the tail lights and brake lights. Look for one that's the same color as yours (probably pink) and that doesn't show signs of overheating.

The part numbers you listed are for the left and right socket assemblies. If yours are working, and you don't see charred tips in the sockets when you remove the bulbs, I would just clean them up nicely, install new bulbs, and call that good. Then deal with the sensor.

Good luck!

Heath

[Infinitiguy19]

1990-1991 or 1992 may be the same but 1993 uses a different sensors that has a black shell. I know because I put in the 1991 Q45 sensors and the brake lights failed to work.