Transmission Malfunction Message

[aliciaford]

I have a 1990 Q45, which has been running weird for the last few months. Mostly lugs going up or down hill, or at about 40 mph. If you are in the midst of the chugging, you can shift into D3 and it immediately goes away. Now, this morning, it finally said Transmission Malfunction on the instrument panel. Any ideas on where to start?

Here is what my symptoms are:1. smell of fuel when you start the car, hoses are leaking under the intake plenum2. car never starts on the first turn over, always on the 2nd or 3rd try. Starts the first time on a full tank of gas.3. Lugs going uphill at around 40 mph, 2000 rpm, if you shift to D3, problem goes away.4. No fuel pump noise from rear of car, but in the front of the car I sometimes hear a pumping noise, only while car is moving on the drivers side, ABS is bad in the car and I have heard that noise before but it is on the right hand side of the car...

ThanksAlicia

[maxnix]

Gosh, to let this go on for months quite frankly is abuse.

You doubtless have multiple problems due to deferrred maintenance.

Your transmission is crying for help. When was the last time the ATF was exchanged, pan dropped, cleaned and internal filter with O ring replaced? Have you replaced the under plenum hoses? Knock Snensors and associated harness? How old are the plugs? Cleaned the EGR and IAC valves lately?

You will have to pulll the plenum to replace the fuel lines, so you might start reading the posts here about undedr plenum hose replacement. You should consider replacing your valve cover gaskets also while you are at it.

This is also assuming you have already replaced your original timing chain guides with the newer metal backed ones.

[aliciaford]

Well, I took it to Infiniti of Fife. Could not diagnose the problem.... I know the hoses need to be done, but to be honest, every time I take this car in they act like I am making up these problems.... I just ran thru the AT Check and it indicated " 3 A", According to my service manual: 3 = Throttle sensor circut, and A= Turbine Revolution Sensor circut, but no "3 A".

Chain has metal guides, and the plugs were done about 6 months ago. I have not checked the EGR.

[maxnix]

If you go to Portland, go to Infiniti of Beaverton and ask that Eric take a look at your car. Eric is a Senior Infiniti technician.

Labor rate is a little less and no sales tax. I wish I could recommend someone in Seattle, but outside the dealer there is little hope. someone used Greg's Japanses auto, so you might call and see if htere is a shop tech familiar with the G50.

If you go back to Fife, see if Charlie is still the service manager and ask if where the most senior (one who was trained on the car in 1989) tech is located. It might be in Kirkland. Hell, cal him and ask.

[Mint Q45A]

I belive the 3A means you have two problems: 3 for the TPS circuit and A for the Turbine Sensor.......When I ran the test I got the #3 too. In my case all it took was for me to clean the connections at the TPS.