New guy. 03 QX4

[THatfield]

Hey hey hey.

New guy, just bought a 1 owner 2003 QX4 on Tuesday. 70,000 miles. Brilliant Silver exterior and graphite interior. Loaded with everything but navigation and dvd. I love it so far, big step up from my old 94 Rodeo.

I lurked here before purchasing (actually influenced my purchase) and the FAQ was also quite helpful.

I'll post up a pic once I clean it. Driving it home late it night ended up with lots of bugs on it.

[Towncivilian]

Welcome!

If you haven't yet, have your QX4 inspected for the strut housing corrosion recall.

[THatfield]

Welcome!

If you haven't yet, have your QX4 inspected for the strut housing corrosion recall.

Thanks for the welcome. It seems as if the recall work has been completed, but it can't hurt to have them double check for piece of mind. The previous owner (being an 80 something year old woman) was a stickler for work being performed at her Infiniti dealer. I can imagine the recall work has been performed, but like I said. I might as well check.

Will my seatbelts be able to be replaced under warranty even if my truck was manufactured in 8/02? It's a 2003, but manufactured in 8/02. My driver belt is slow to retract and would like to have that fixed if possible.

So far, I am in love with the truck. Going to be doing a fluid change for the transmission here soon. It sometimes doesn't quite grab into drive right away, or is harsh going into gear (but I also noticed this in a friends QX4, his has 182,000 miles however), and it seems to sometimes hold onto first gear longer then I would like (perhaps this is the nature of the transmission?).

Other then that, I love it. Hoping to check and replace all necessary fluids and grease up by drive-shaft before winter.

[Towncivilian]

Yes, you have until 2013 to have your seatbelt replaced under warranty.

A fluid change might clear that up. I would strongly suggest you use only Nissan Matic D as the fluid replacement. I'd also go ahead and just do a full fluid exchange via the cooler line (steps in the general info thread) - drains & fills are inefficient and wasteful.

[THatfield]

Yes, you have until 2013 to have your seatbelt replaced under warranty.

A fluid change might clear that up. I would strongly suggest you use only Nissan Matic D as the fluid replacement. I'd also go ahead and just do a full fluid exchange via the cooler line (steps in the general info thread) - drains & fills are inefficient and wasteful.

Sounds good. I do plan on using only Nissan fluids and parts on my Infiniti (except for that $450MAF. I think I'll just buy the Maxima one when it needs changed). Pay into it now, it will pay off later, especially since I plan to keep this truck for a while.

Another question, I experimented with using Octane 87 (stupid! stupid! STUPID! ), but have since switched back to 91. But I have a pesky "Service Engine Soon" light that has been illuminated since I put in the 87. It went out for a while last night (whilst still running on 87) but re-illuminated this morning even though I put in 13.7 gallons of 91. Do I just need to have the code cleared or is it possible its a totally unrelated code?

Stupid question, what is this line running down my windshield? it looks like the lines for the electric defogger in my rear window. Is it one for my windshield?

My last question (for now ). When my headlights are set to "Auto" will they turn off automatically after X amount of minutes from when I lock up my truck, or do i need to switch them to "Off"?


This forum is awesome, and I can't thank you guys enough for the helpful FAQ and for dealing with my questions

[Towncivilian]

That is strange, running 87 octane should not cause an engine code. Go have your codes read at Advance Auto Parts or any other parts store that reads codes free, and post them here so they can be diagnosed.

The line running down the front windshield is an FM radio antenna.

Yes, headlights will turn off automatically after several minutes.

[THatfield]

I will have it read tomorrow then.

Thanks for the explanation on the antenna and Auto headlights.

So far so good with the rest of the truck. Now to just diagnose that CEL.

[THatfield]

No check engine light at all today. Seemed to run just fine. Was its normal, peppy self.

I guess if it ain't broke, don't fix it! LOL.

[Towncivilian]

There still may be a pending or past code stored. I'd have your codes read regardless.

[THatfield]

There still may be a pending or past code stored. I'd have your codes read regardless.

Went back out earlier this evening, and the lamp was on.

I plan on having this code checked and repaired. I had enough of the CEL in my 94 Rodeo.

[THatfield]

Had the code pulled today.

P1491

Vacuum cut bypass valve- prevents vacuum from being applied to fuel tank

Probable Cause
- open or short circuit
- poor electrical connection
- failed vacuum cut valve bypass valve

So do I need to replace this valve?

Any ideas or help appreciated.

[ncaadfinder]

Hi and Welcome!

I used to have the code P1491 come up lots as a matter of fact it seemed to be on my Service engine light for a code almost all the time. I found the problem to be when filling up with fuel, do not top up the fuel tank. When fueling up the gas pump will click off when the truck is full, add no more to the tank after that.I made sure not to top up for the last 4 months and I have never had the code come up since. I have owned it for 2 1/2 years and used to top it up every time I filled it. I don't top it up anymore and the code P1491 has never come up again. I use regular 87 unleaded all the time and it works fine for me. I just completed a 1000 mile successful moose hunting trip and averaged a combined 21 Imperial MPG using the receipts and odometer as a guide for the mileage. 24.5 Mpg being the best between fill ups and 18.9 the worst. Try not topping it up for a few cycles also make sure you click your gas cap at least 6-8 time after it closes. Let us know the result. Good luck.

[THatfield]

Thanks for the reply!

I'll make sure to tighten down my gas cap for sure. I don't find myself topping off the gas tank. usually when it clicks off the first time that's when I stop.

But I will keep the cap tight and we will see what happens.

[Towncivilian]

Yes, never overfill your gas tank. Stop at the first click always (unless the tank is obviously not full and the pump is just being stupid by stopping early for no reason). Excess fuel will flood the charcoal canister and irreversibly damage it.

Try cleaning the rubber gasket around the gas cap; if that doesn't work, replace it with a new OEM one to begin with.

[THatfield]

Yes, never overfill your gas tank. Stop at the first click always (unless the tank is obviously not full and the pump is just being stupid by stopping early for no reason). Excess fuel will flood the charcoal canister and irreversibly damage it.

Try cleaning the rubber gasket around the gas cap; if that doesn't work, replace it with a new OEM one to begin with.

ok sounds good. I'll clean off the cap and see what happens. I always stop pumping at the first click. I'm lazy and would rather not risk spewing fuel down the side of my Q. Topping off just isn't my style

[ianh]

Yes, you have until 2013 to have your seatbelt replaced under warranty.

I have a 2003 pathfinder, and have same slow drivers belt retraction.

Please give more info on seat belt recall... Not heard anything about this before !!!

[Towncivilian]

It's not a recall, just a warranty. See this post.