On board info Screen not working?

[96Q45GAL]

I am wondering if the info board in the dash on right side of speedometer..What exactly are they suppose to tell you because mine only somtimes works..Like it has a short or something. I have noticed it kinda tells me stuff when it wants to?? Sometimes it will say transmission malfunction then other times it will say light inoperable then most of the time it just says OK?? Could I have this fixed or replaced?

[AlabamaDan]

So is it always lit up and you think it needs to be fixed/replaced because it sometimes gives you an error message but most of the time says ok? If that's the case it sounds like it works and you have a bulb going bad and a bad transmission connector.

[96Q45GAL]

Well only half of it lights up well but still lit... I just feel like it should be reading me all info on car..Like I said sometimes it tells me all types of crazy reads and then other times it works fine?? Just wondered if anyone had this problem and if I should get a New Computer?...or if its a big deal at all...I have noticed my dash is dim seems like all the light bulbs are blowing out?

[96Qowner]

It doesn't usually have much to say. Mine sometimes says low fuel when it isn't. It's not a terribly useful display - not like you're thinking. And your erratic messages aren't all that rare.

[AlabamaDan]

I think there are two lights to light up the display. One of mine is out and makes it difficult to read. If everything is good, it just reads "OK" but it's doing a diagnostic check.

[96Q45GAL]

Ok well I guess it's no big deal...I could be dead on E and it won't say a thing just OK:) I dont even get the chime anymore when I leave my lights on or when I open the door and the keys are in the ignition?? Seems like I may have some electrical things going on?

[96Qowner]

I dont even get the chime anymore when I leave my lights on or when I open the door and the keys are in the ignition?? Seems like I may have some electrical things going on?

Hm, I don't think anyone has ever posted about that before. Odd one.

You might want to take a look at your battery connections. Do they have that green fuzzy stuff all over the posts? Check to be sure the connections are tight.

And I ran across this pic of a MAF plug in another thread - brown - looks familiar - I think mine's brown, too.



You can see what a mess his is - somebody did a crappy job of repair/soldering.

[Haitian_King]

My display is only half visible as well. It's ok.

The Stoplight Inoperative message could just be a bad connector or a bulb needs to be replaced. Your dash lights dim if the headlights are on. If they aren't on and they still look dim, there's a knob on the left of the dash that adjusts the brightness. Turn it all the way until it clicks. All interior lights will be on. Now turn that knob to the left, just slightly enough to turn off the footwell lights. Then you'll be at the brightest setting for your dash lights.

[96Q45GAL]

Yeah had a new battery put in the car the day after I bought it but I know the guy put some spray stuff on it to make sure there was no corrosion..But I would have a dead battery alot here and there..I always felt like maybe he didnt connect it good??? Maybe I should have ot looked at? The door chime thing has a mind of it's own...it always catches me off guard when it goes off because Im not use to hearing it often:) The MAF connector looks exactly like mine... Im getting ready to replace my MAF ...Hopefully Myself!!

[96Qowner]

Yeah had a new battery put in the car the day after I bought it but I know the guy put some spray stuff on it to make sure there was no corrosion..But I would have a dead battery alot here and there.

"Dead battery a lot here and there" looks bad for the alternator - might not be charging well anymore. You should probably start thinking about when you want to replace that. A weak alternator often produces those odd messages you're getting.

The rule of thumb on this forum is that Q45s require about $3000 to catch them up on all the deferred maintenance. But once you've done that, the car is usually quite trouble-free.

The MAF connector looks exactly like mine... Im getting ready to replace my MAF ...Hopefully Myself!!

Good girl! Are you going new or used?

[96Q45GAL]

Im thinking of new..I figure a used one may act up within 1st yr and so may have to replace again...figure new one at least I know the care of filter changes and all so I figure the life expectancy of new one is best bet....But think im ready to do the JOB

[AlabamaDan]

A New Alternator! Q45Tech is gonna like you!