Q45 will not start on occasion

[tflood]

I have reseached and not found the exact problem that I have. This is a 92 Q with 100,000 miles. The first problem I had was after having it in the dealer for service, it started just locking itself without provacation. I took it back, but it never went away completely. Approximately six months later, the car would not start on occassion after driving, but it would start if it was cable jumped. A replacement of the battery did not solve the problem. Because it was not reliable, the car was garaged without driving for approximately a year. (Since 2000, only about 6000 miles had been driven.) This week, it was towed to a repair shop because after setting up, even with another new battery, the car would not jump start. The repair shop wants to put in a new starter and plugs for approximately $650 but indicate that there may be other problems that is causing the car not to start and that eventually it may have to be taken to the dealer to use their computer. Does this sound reasonable...should the car be picked up and sold as is or can it be fixed in the range that would make it feasiable to keep. It is a super car I have had since new.
Modified by tflood at 11:38 AM 6/16/2006

[maxnix]

Without a maintenance history, who knows?

Neglect over time without use is almost as diastrous as abuse.

Now the main question, have you done the timing chain guides? If not, look at that first.

This post might get moved to the Infiniti Online Mechanic Forum, where it belongs.

And welcome to our club. Where have you been for so long?

[tflood]

You are right; it does belong there and that is where I intended for it to go. That is where I was researched all the information.

[Jesda]

What brand of batteries have you used? A lot of batteries are not fully charged when new, so upon installation, the alternator can't keep up and the battery will get weaker and weaker until you need a jump start. You have to leave the battery on a charger overnight before putting it in. I learned this the hard way.

This may not be the cause of your problem, however, since my battery was drained (and completely died) after only a few days.

When it refuses to start, is it a slow crank or is it clicking?

[Q45tech]

Never use a shop that does not do enough Nissan work to even purchase a Consult computer! That is a serious warning sign.

Starter fail very rarely on Q most often just the starter relay or corroded connections. Mine [90] has 307,000 miles and probably 20,000 cranks.Plugs are always a good idea to replace every 4 years.

[i-Zer0]

Then too, chk the shifter - you may have to wiggle it a little while it's in 'P' - I sometimes [less often than not] experience the 'dead' start you're talking about too - so I wiggle the shifter (as if it were a WV stick), then it starts right up, every time - I haven't pulled the assy apart to see if the contacts were bad in the shifter 'P' position - just a money-saving suggestion that you may or may not choose to live with that otherwise seems to work for me - - - - -

[pito11213]

From what you posted I am inclined to vote for the bad connections at the battery post. The Q is picky about that. You need to make sure that both connections are on there tight.

[tflood]

Yes, that has been a problem from time to time, but no amount of wiggling would get it to start.

Thanks to some comments here, the car was picked up and taken to another place that was researched and I feel has a better grasp of 92 Q 45s. The money you spend before you even start. Anyway, the process has been started. It may at least be placed in running condition so it can be donated.