New Guy Questions... Please Help!!! :-)

[tonyberry]

Hi guys, My name is Tony and i found your forum while searching on the internet for help with my used 1993 Q45. I just got it 2 days ago and i am very excited to get it in top shape like your guys rides are.

Spec's (Photos Coming Tomorrow)- 1993 Infinity Q45 (Don't know the extension a,t etc.. Where would i find it?)- Pretty much stock suspension- 18" Asante Wheels- Yokahama Tires- Pearl White in color- Lowered, i think because of the old struts. Would like to know how to drop it performance wise.- Stock stereo with added MTX amp with 2 MTX 12" Subs in a box- Stock engine that really needs cleaning. Is Power Washing ok on these engines?

I have read about a few hundred posts here and have not quite got an solid answer to a few question. I think you guys can help me so here it goes.... (I am a Computer Network Engineer and really don't know a lot about cars but i can figure things out when pointed in the right direction)

1. I am having an issue with the back end of the Q45 kind of fishtailing or swaying while going about 55mph or faster and hitting a lull in the road or a bump. It makes my body physically go from side to side and its kind of scary. i feel like i could loose control.

2. The front end on the drivers side is making a metal to metal sound when going over small or hard bumps. I was told it could be the strut bottoming out or the CV Joint?

3. I also read the posts on the Stop Lamp Error but i really did not understand the advise... It kind of bounced around. Could someone give me a little run down of what causes the error message? Mine is giving me that error. i think it is a socket? If so which one usually goes out?

4. I am also getting the Brake Pads Worn Error. I guess i can have someone just short the sensor leads together to stop the error? If so do i short the wires for all four brake or just the fronts or the backs... Also, if i were to but the right brake pads, where would i find them and how much would they cost..... Guesstimate?

5. What is the best way to take out the back deck panel? I saw the post here but it just says to lift up and pop off the tabs and take out... I did everything it said, but it feels like i will break it in two if i lift up harder. I just want to know if it does come out like that. I will lift a little harder knowing that it will eventually come off. I think my speaker dust cover came off and is now buzzing to the bass...

6. I see a lot of your posters rides have a chrome grill on the front of their Q45's. Mine just has the logo (Emblem). Where would i find and hood like that or, is there a kit to retro fit it?

OK, thats all my questions for now. I thank all of you in advance for any help with these questions.

You guys are great at explaining things so i really think i can fix the small issues i have with my new (Used) Q45.

Thanks Again!!!! zer...d=177#

Tony

[Jeff Williams]

Welcome, Tony!

Congratulations on the new Q45. I hope it give you lots of years of service.

First things first, before you put ANY money in the car, make sure the timing chain guides have been replaced with metal ones. The OEM ones on the 1990 to 1993 are plastic, and if they fail, will trash the engine (cause $3,000 to $5,000 damage). The replacement is intense, but dooable with good mechanical skills and a LOT of patience. It is about a $1,500 to $2,000 repair.

Now, to answer some of your questions:

1. Your rear struts are shot. Buy some Tokiko Blue shocks and new dust boots. This will run you about $450 for all 4. Plus labor. There may be more that is worn out, but this is the main cause.

2. Your upper links are shot. Buy some OEM replacements or some 300ZX adjustable ones. This will run you about $200 for both. Plus labor. There may be more that is worn out, but this is the main cause. I bet your front tires are wearing on the inside terribly. If these are shot, you only get about 10,000 miles out of the front tires.

Side note: While you are buying stuff, replace the tension rod bushings and sway bar bushings.

3. Most people get this warning from using cheap bulbs. Try replacing the bulbs first. Then check the sockets.

4. A lot of people disable this sensor when replacing the brakes. You have to jump out the rear sensor and open the front sensor circuit. These are only on the passenger side of the car.

5. Look for an archived post about replacing the fuel pump by a member called Tangalora. This is the most detailed post for removing the rear deck. You have to remove the third tail light and the center storage bin. It is easier if you remove the seat first. Once you pop out the plastic pins, the deck comes out rather easily. Pop the pins up from the trunk. You should remove the trunk panels first.

6. Most of the chrome grilles for the first generation Q45 are from Japan.

These cars are great, fun, fast, cool, and comfortable. BUT, they can be expensive to maintain. I put about $3,000 a year into mine to keep it on the road, and that is mostly parts.

Also, be sure to replace ALL the fluids: Brake Fluid, Coolant, Engine Oil, Transmission fluid, rear-end fluid, power steering fluid, TCS fluid (if equipped) and the washer fluid. You will be suprise at what condition all the fluids are in.

Good luck, and enjoy the new car!

[MattB]

The chrome grill is a feature of the 94-96 Q45s. The 90-93 models had no grill from the factory.

[maxnix]

Check the sockets when you replace the bulbs with OEM ones from Joe.

Repalce all your filters also.

Heavier wheels and tires will "lower" the cars performance.

[mxr662]

- Stock engine that really needs cleaning. Is Power Washing ok on these engines?

I don't power wash due to the risk of forcing water where it doesn't belong. There are many electrical connectors. I use simple green on a cold engine and then wash with the hose.

Welcome

Recreational Reading:http://www.q45.org/techhelp.htmlhttp:// ... ?id=164335

[mxr662]

And see if your lucky. zerothread?id=96820

[tonyberry]

Hey Guy's....

Thanks for all your reply's... Your answers have been a great help... zer...17078#

I took my Q to a Custom Hot Rod friend of mine that has a shop. US Customs here in Albuquerque.

Everybody seems to have an opinion about the noise on the front drivers side. We checked the Strut and it looked OK. We wiggled and moved the wheel on the Q and took it off and wiggled more. We could not find the metal to metal or hard rubber to hard rubber sound. We thought by tightening some bolts that were a little loose would fix it. No Go...

After looking at the q for about an hour it came down to the CV Boot or CV Joint.

As for the back swaying, it has to be the Struts. I see that you guys by from scottsdale Infinity. I live in AZ for about 6 years before moving to ABQ to visit my grandchildren. Do they ship?

I finally got the back deck out with some help of my Car Audio Guy. He was here last night putting in my Viper Alarm with Remote Start. He popped it off in about 10sec... It pays to have experience.

Gona check out the bulb thing. Anybody know if checkers or Autozone would have the OEM bulb i need as the replacement for the brake inoperable error? Or would Pep Boys have them?

Please go easy on me... I can catch on better with your patience.... got a few more questions for some of the answers i got...

What are "Upper Links" (Answer 2.) Could i get a pic of them?

Do i just need Shocks for the rear of my Q or Shock and struts to cure the rear swaying?

Brake Error: so close or short the circuit in the rear passenger side and open the circuit on the passenger front side? Or is it the other way around, I'm gona have my guy fix that today.

Last question to answers:Jeff, you said you spend about $3,000 a year on maintenance, could you give me a brief rundown of what you change and why?

More to my story....

I got this Q45 in a trade deal with a 95 Jeep Cherokee Limited Edition for my broken down 97 Ford Expedition. It spit out my # 1 spark plug going down a hill with no warning. I wasn't even giving it gas. I am a network engineer and own my ow business. So i was stranded for 1.5 weeks till i sold an Un-Locked iPhone that i unlock and customize to a client. Told him i needed a car or SUV (i have 5 Kids) ASAP. He called me the next day and we made a deal. The expo was gona be about $1,500 to fix... so i decided i don't want to invest anymore money into it. I took the deal and now have the Q and the Jeep.

So... i am moving also and i am 2 weeks behind on collection my money, finishing my jobs and i think i have lost some new work due to no wheels.

I need your guy's respected opinion on what i really need to do to the Q on a really limited budget till i can get things back on track in a month or 2... I have read the posts about the guilds breaking and i don't have $1,500 to fix the expo and i don't have the money to fix that issue on the Q.

So what should i do for the next month... it does snow here but not for a couple more months so it will be cold weather. What type if good oil should i use? And what type of other fluids should i use. Like Antifreeze, Brake Fluid, transmission Fluid, Etc... give me the brand names and where i can find them. We have Pep Boys, Autozone, Checkers here in ABQ... I trust you guys... This is my first Infinity and would really like to keep it.

what color of seal do i need to look for to see if the guild replacement has been done? Blue? or ??

Thanks again guy's... Some of you say your not pro's but you really fooled me...

Tony

[Jesda]

Cherokees are awesome.

[Haitian_King]

I had one. It was my first car. (The Q being my second) I had a 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. Itwas White and Gold. I loved it. My dad drives it now.