Need help to figure out the problem on my 94 Q45a

[stojakovic]

Yesterday I got my Q dead on the way home. I had to call the road assistance and wait a long windy Sunday afternoon.

I got this car for 1 year, and it runs great till last week. I want to figure out the problem so that I can take it to the right place to service.

I will state the problem below.

Last Monday, I found my check brake light on and TCS off light on. I have new brakes changed last summer, and I do not have more than 2000 mileage on it. I remember that before I change the brake pads, the light was on, but after that it was off. However, the message from the right conner of panel still said brake pad worn. The sensor may be damaged.

Last Wednesday, while I play audio, it suddenly stop playing. The other light are gradually off. The battery was out off power and I managed to get a new one on Thursday. It runs again and the problem is that the the message adds low battery charge in addition to brake pads worn.

Then on Sunday, my Q dead again. First I noticed that my speed pointing to 0, and then I prepared to right lane. I can still accelerate for several minutes, and then accelerator dead. I had to stop on the road side and find a police to light a flare.

My friends came with the jump start cable, and my Q can start engine with cable on. Once the cable is removed, the engine is off immediately.

What I guess is that there maybe computer problems. The full battery can work means the connection is OK. The car cannot charge battery back. I am not sure there is a fuse for charging. Actually, I think the connection for discharge and recharge should be the same cable.

I will let my battery charged again to test.

I heard that it may be caused by engine problem. I am a little worried.

Can someone give me some idea about my problem?

[maxnix]

You don't mention any alternator maitnenance nor testing of it.

Jump starting your car can fry the ECU.

Hey, welcome to NICO

This post may be moved to Infiniti Online Mechanic

[heywier427]

Welcome to Nico!

from what your telling us, it sounds like a bad alternator.

if you can charge the battery enough to make it to a service station or auto zone, have them test it to see if it is putting out the propper amperage.

[Rex]

Is the alternator belt still on the car?

[heywier427]

^ excellent question

[stojakovic]

Rex,

Where is the alternator? Is it around the compressor?

Is the alternator belt still on the car?

[maxnix]

Yes. You should have 3 working accessory belts.

[stojakovic]

I checked the belts this afternoon and I found a damaged belt lying silently. Luckily it was not dropped these days, other wise I cannot find the problem site in 5 seconds.

OK, let us see what I found.

1, the poor belt.

2, alternator is in the middle, right?

3, a closer look

4, my Q

[lino]

Be sure to check the condition of your pulleys/bearings too.

[maxnix]

Buy all three pulleys and belts from http://www.infinitipartsusa.com as you will want to replace all the belts and the bad pulleys.

You can return the unused pulleys in their unopened packages.

You have some nasty stuff going on in the front of that beautiful car. This site will help you get it up to snuff.

[ScottJackson]

alternator is on the left with the ribs in the pulley. The pulley in middle of pic which is smooth is the tensioner pulley that has almost certainly gone bad and tore up the old belt. However, spin the alternator pulley itself to see if it may be rough or locked up. If it's either, time for a new alternator. I don't know of any alternator kits to rebuild it yourself, but if there's a kit out there with the bearings and brushes, I'd love to know about it.

[goody90q45]

Is the alternator belt still on the car?

^ excellent question

Rex +1. The voice of calm. Good call!

[Rex]

Rex +1. The voice of calm. Good call!

I'm pretty sure the brake pad message takes priority over the Low Battery message, and the "when attached to another car it runs" tells me the car wasn't getting any "electricty" from itself.

From the one pic, I can see where the belt was rubbing the pulley for a while.

Replace all 3 pulleys, all 3 belts and try to clean the front of the motor while at it. Then watch over it for awhile and see where "all that gunk" is coming from over time.

[stojakovic]

Well, I remembered that sometimes I can feel a burning-rubber smell. I would have noticed this if I had been more careful.

Any recommendation for mechanics service in Dallas, TX? I think I don't have the equipment for DIY the pulleys.

[Rex]

I think I don't have the equipment for DIY the pulleys.

It's just wrenches/sockets. Nothging fancy, unless you're trying to press in new bearings and without a press it's not somehting you want to try.

A basic metric tool set and a few extentions/deep sockets, you'll have all you need for the belts and pulleys.

[stojakovic]

Recharged battery today, and engine started. The alternator pulley rotates smoothly, but the tensioner pulley doesn't.

I will update information about my Q. More to say, thanks for your advise here, I am very appreciated.

[Rex]

Recharged battery today, and engine started. The alternator pulley rotates smoothly, but the tensioner pulley doesn't.

I will update information about my Q. More to say, thanks for your advise here, I am very appreciated.

If you do not replace the tensioner pulley, the belt will heat up and break again.

[stojakovic]

I have ordered the pulleys and belts. Not expensive as I thought. Waiting for them.

[stojakovic]

Everything is fine now. All the messages except brake pad worn are gone. I will try to crack it .

Thanks again for all nice people here, I got a lot from you!

[DrewQ45]

Yesterday I got my Q dead on the way home. I had to call the road assistance and wait a long windy Sunday afternoon.

I got this car for 1 year, and it runs great till last week. I want to figure out the problem so that I can take it to the right place to service.

I will state the problem below.

Last Monday, I found my check brake light on and TCS off light on. I have new brakes changed last summer, and I do not have more than 2000 mileage on it. I remember that before I change the brake pads, the light was on, but after that it was off. However, the message from the right conner of panel still said brake pad worn. The sensor may be damaged.

Last Wednesday, while I play audio, it suddenly stop playing. The other light are gradually off. The battery was out off power and I managed to get a new one on Thursday. It runs again and the problem is that the the message adds low battery charge in addition to brake pads worn.

Then on Sunday, my Q dead again. First I noticed that my speed pointing to 0, and then I prepared to right lane. I can still accelerate for several minutes, and then accelerator dead. I had to stop on the road side and find a police to light a flare.

My friends came with the jump start cable, and my Q can start engine with cable on. Once the cable is removed, the engine is off immediately.

What I guess is that there maybe computer problems. The full battery can work means the connection is OK. The car cannot charge battery back. I am not sure there is a fuse for charging. Actually, I think the connection for discharge and recharge should be the same cable.

I will let my battery charged again to test.

I heard that it may be caused by engine problem. I am a little worried.

Can someone give me some idea about my problem?

Sounds like a bad alternator. If your brake light flashed periodically leading up to now steady bright, you need to change the alternator. To be honest, you just need to change that damn alteranator... period. If you plan to do the job yourself, you will need to drop the ac compressor with all lines still attached to to get to the alternator which is directly above it. Do not try to remove alternator from above. Drop compressor first. All work performed from below.

Good luck and let us know if you need assitance. Good thing is, you have one of the best support forums in the world.

PS, if you fry the ECU, we have more....

...Drew....

Звучит, как плохо генератора. Если ваш стоп-сигнал .. "периодически до сих пор устойчивый ясный, вам необходимо изменить генератора. Чтобы быть честным, надо просто изменить это чертовски alteranator ... периода. Если вы планируете делать работу самостоятельно, Вам придется отказаться от сети переменного тока компрессор с линиями все еще придают добраться до генератора, которые прямо над ним. Не вынимайте из генератора выше. Падения первого компрессора. Все работы снизу. Удачи и сообщите нам, если Вам необходима области оказания помощи. Хорошее дело, у вас есть один из лучших форумов в поддержку мира. PS Если Вы мальков ЭКЮ, у нас больше ... ... Дрю ... b
Modified by DrewQ45 at 12:00 AM 3/17/2007