Slowly but surely beginning to hate my Q

[TheJerseydude]

I love this car but im theres always something new thats wrong with it. I got in an accident with it a couple month ago and had the front end repaired. Turns out a pulley for tension on the alternator belt was not properly tightened so it fell off and my battery of course died. I need to know what size bolts go on with the pulley and which side the washers go on etc. I unfortunately dont have the book for this car. I'd appreciate any help you can offer.

The other thing is that my TCS light comes on in the dashboard. This has always happened since I bought the car 2 years ago. I know its the traction control system but I have no idea what the exact issue is or how to fix it. It usually only comes on in the rain or when I'm speeding around corners lol. Recently the TCS lights and the E-brake light in the dashboard have been flashing. Clearly Im somewhat dumb to mechanics so can someone offer and insight?? I would hate to drop my car off at a mechanic I cant trust when I could fix the issues myself.

[TheJerseydude]

also I had the whole car repainted by maaco. I know alot of people are skeptical of maaco so I can post pics if anyone would like to see their work!

[Infinitiguy19]

I hear you, I am skeptical of all mechanics including my self (I am not a mechanic but i will be soon) but I would check and clean the TCS relays under the battery tray (The white plastic piece).

I would also follow the diagnostic procedure in the FSM to figure out what is wrong with the TCS.

You can find the service manual here: http://nicoclub.com/FSM

I have an owners manual for the 1994 Q45 if you would like, it comes with a case as well.

And I would like to see the Maco job you got.

[maxnix]

Your only hope is to take it to Keith and get an honest evaluation.

Keith Vanmeter Auto Repair(856) 415-2022395 Wenonah AveMantua, NJ 08051

I just hope you didn't use Maaco to repair the body.

The G50, like most fine instruments, doesn't repond to abuse well.

[elwesso]

i'd try replacing the TCS relays to get that taken care of, its a 15 minute "operation" and a $30 risk... Give it a shot..

If those are the only 2 things that would cause you to hate your Q, then you better hope you dont have an injector go out (or have to pull the plenum for any reason).

Mechanics can only be trusted to turn wrenches on Q, not diagnose issues, thats why NICO is here!

[NightRiderQ45]

also I had the whole car repainted by maaco. I know alot of people are skeptical of maaco so I can post pics if anyone would like to see their work!

I would like to see before and after pics...

[maxnix]

Mechanics can only be trusted to turn wrenches on Q, not diagnose issues, thats why NICO is here!

Hear! Hear!

[TheJerseydude]

Well right now the first issue is whats most important is getting my alternator belt back on and working properly because without that I cant take the car to Kieth. The pulley fell off because it was tightened properly. Now all that is there and the long bolt or whatever it is that the pulley slides on to. Ill post a pic in a minute. But I need to know what size bolt to use and where the washers go etc. Its very simple but I really have no idea and I dont want to do it incorrectly. Thanks for all the feedback and once I get it up and running I'll post pics before the accident, after the accident, (both are already on this site somewhere tho) and also after the maaco paintjob. still i need HELP! lol

[maxnix]

There are a couple of posts addressing these issues specifically.

I believe they are in IOM, where all posts regarding mechanical functions or malfunctions belong.

Why did you abandon us, Ross?

[Raxephon]

........the pulley fell off because it was tightened properly. Now all that is there and the long bolt or whatever it is that the pulley slides on to. Ill post a pic in a minute. But I need to know what size bolt to use and where the washers go etc.....

Maybe this thread will help.

zerothread?id=137884

[TheJerseydude]

[IMG][/IMG]

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[qship96]

Change that old external transmission filter.....{very bottom left corner of your second photo}

[goody90q45]

...... But I need to know what size bolt to use and where the washers go etc. Its very simple but I really have no idea and I dont want to do it incorrectly......

Do you have (need) the washers (spacers), plate and nut? Live close to a stealership or salvage yard?

[TheJerseydude]

ok.... will do regarding the transmission filter

And no i dont have the washers and nuts or the plate that I would need. I may be able to pull them off a car at the salvage yard... would it be easier to get them from the salvage yard? I already have the new pulley (the big round tensioner that the belt sits on to rotate)

[matdotcom2000]

Honestly I really just ignore my TSC light it comes both lights come on and off.

[goody90q45]

ok....And no i dont have the washers and nuts or the plate that I would need. I may be able to pull them off a car at the salvage yard...

I have the parts you need. Send me an email if you're interested.

[mxr662]

replace those belts also and check bearing in tentioner pullies

[TheJerseydude]

Thanks for all the help! especially goody94q95 who is helping me get the pieces I need. As soon as the car is up and running again I'll post those pics for you to see

[goody90q45]

I got the parts in the mail yesterday.

[NightRiderQ45]

replace those belts also and check bearing in tentioner pullies

I was just about to say that. You can see the cracks in the belt.

[TheJerseydude]

I really appreciate all the help and input from you guys. One more question and I'll be back to loving my Q and hopefully I'll get some time before somthing else goes wrong lol.

Heres a pic of the parts I mrecieved from goody94q95 and also the pulley I bought from a local auto store. I just need to know the order of placement for these nuts and bolts on the pulley. Can anyone help so I can have her back up and running asap! Thanks again

Also goody94q95 I will mail back to you tomorrow. I appreciate the help.

mxr662 I see you are relatviely close-by in MD. Im moveing to Bowie in about 6 months.

[TheJerseydude]

[IMG][/IMG]

[TheJerseydude]

Im guessin noone is sure of the placement order of these parts??

[goody90q45]

Without removing a pulley from one of my Q's I can't tell you with 100% certainty but looking at the assortment of parts you have I think we can figure it out.

First off you have an extra black plate since I didn't take the time to check which pulley you were replacing. Compare the sizes of the 3 pulleys, one is a larger diameter and will use the larger plate. I also sent you an extra small washer just because I had a bunch. Notice that both the small and large washer are much thicker than a standard washer.

The purpose of the small and large washer is to capture the center of the pulley bearing so that it doesn't rotate. With that said, the larger washer goes on first against the bracket, the pulley goes next with the open face of the bearing facing the large washer (and the engine), then the small washer goes on, then the large or small black plate (depending on the pulley), then the nut.

You may want to double check me and first install the pulley without the belt and then manuallly rotate it to make sure there's no interference. When you do put on the belt don't fully tighten the pulley center nut until you have adjusted the belt tension. Good luck.

Do any of the experts agree with my logic?

[mxr662]

Found this image in the heating and AC section.

First the fat bushingThen the pulley with correct orientation.Next thin washerThen dirt shield.

[TheJerseydude]

Very much appreciated! Watching my Q sit in the driveway was killing me. Couldnt thank you enuff

[NightRiderQ45]

Very much appreciated! Watching my Q sit in the driveway was killing me. Couldnt thank you enuff

How can you not luv this site? Most people go out of their way to help you out when needed. I've been trying to get my friend to join this site since he owns a 90-93 Q45. There is so much info here and after riding in his car, he would find much valuable information especially the chain guides.

[TheJerseydude]

I agree %100! Only thing is it takes me a while to figure out what everyone talking about when they use abbreviation or stuff like DST lol... im like DST?? and I see stuff like "yyea get yourself a can of BG44K" and I figure that I should get a can too buy have nooo idea what it is lol I know there are a ton of little things I could do to give my Q a lil more TLC but I'm not quite sure what they are so I jus keep it clean

[Q45tech]

For 15 years I've used a can of 44K every 90 day oil change, just one less thing to think about..............same with spraying rubber protectant on hundreds of items while it is in air ...............FORCES you to do a fairly complete visual inspection.............looking for rubber deforms and cracks.

Same with frequent alignments: the changes and RATES of CHANGES lets you understand the wear rates and accurately budget for parts replacement.

Engineers have a very different mental method of dealing with machines!

[TheJerseydude]

Back to lovin my Q lol

After spending hrs fixing the simplest thing.... Turns out the spacer that I was using wasnt thick enough but luckily the original spacer fell out of somewhere in the engine while I was bring it down off the lift