New Q45 owner...Electrical problem w/cluster and windows...intermittent

[ajheddings]

Yes...I searched the forum for clues on how to fix this. No luck, although I did read that there are two master fuse boxes under the hood that may be responsible.

Having trouble with 96 Q45 (don't laugh, but I just bought it yesterday)...sometimes on startup, the entire instrument cluster, air conditioner, cruise control, rear defrost, power windows, sunroof and dimmer switch will all be without power simultaneously...then all at once, they come back on without warning, sometimes a couple of minutes later. It seems that they are all under the same circuit and there is a loose wire or fuse, a short or some sort of ground. Has anyone dealt with this before? Does someone with knowledge of the electical system know what the culprit could be? This happens about 25% of the time on start-up. Other times power goes out on the road without warning...then comes back on minutes later (perhaps after hitting the right bump in the road). I can live with this problem, but these things only get worse...right? My thought is that the major clue as to what is wrong has to do with the fact that windows/roof controls go out simultaneously with the instrument cluster and the controls in immediate proximity to it. This 'clue' must lead a skilled auto electrician with an electrical diagram right to the problem, right? I'd really like to avoid paying a grease monkey $600 in labor to tear apart my dash and NOT fix the problem. Does anyone have a recommendation on who to take this to for troubleshooting/repair? I'm going to check for a loose master fuse today and see if that could be the problem. Even with this gremlin situation, this car was a STEAL at $3700 with 110k and pristine condition inside and out. Thanks,AJ

[Raxephon]

Welcome to NICO

1996 Infiniti Q45 FSM http://phatg20.net/modules.php...d=205

If you have a multimeter & know how to use it, you can track your problems down using the EL chapter in the FSM.

[goody90q45]

Follow Anlasak's advice and get a digital volt meter (VOM) to help you find your problems. You can get a good one at Radio Shack for about $20. In his signature you will find a link (phatg20.net?) to a Factory Service Manual (FSM) download which contains all the electrical schematics.

Members post often with electrical gremlins similar to yours and many times the problem is simply a blown fuse that was overlooked on the first check. Fuses can be decieving and one blown fuse in your Q can take out multiple functions even though the label says the fuse controls only one item. Go back and look at each fuse again, this time measure continuity with a voltmeter. Many times the break in the fuse is so small it can't be seen except with a magnifying glass.

There's two fuse boxes- one in the engine compartment and a second one above the parking brake release. Checking fuses first follows the commandment "Thou shalt check the easy stuff first". Once you rule out a bad fuse then you can move on to tracing your gremlins using the schematic in the last chapter of the FSM.

When you do get to the schematics look for the common grounds. You could have one loose or corroded. The FSM shows it all. Good Luck.