VDC Problem

[Gilded_Splinters]

Hey,

I bought a 2003 M$45 last year with 17,000 miles on it and have driven it trouble free for another 17K now, but have had my first real problem.

Last night I came out of the store, started it up and the dash lit up like Times Square. The VDC Off light was lit steadily, the SPIN light was lit steadily and the Service Engine Soon light was on steadily.

The car would barely move, and the tach wouldn't go over 1500 RPMs no matter where my foot was. I tried to turn the VDC system off and on, but that button did nothing. I was close to home and crawled back at around 15 MPH. Nothing got hot or smelly, so it seemed OK to proceed.

After I got home, I shut it down for half an hour, and re-started the car and the VDC problem was gone, but the Service Engine Soon light was still on. I drove to work this morning without incident.

I've read here and there about the VDC light and SPIN lights coming on and not going off, but nothing about the system preventing the car from running.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

[atlM35]

A trouble code might be more helpful. Otherwise, we are just guessing.
Should be free at most auto parts stores.

[Gilded_Splinters]

Agreed, and I plan to do that tonight.

Thanks.

[Gilded_Splinters]

OK, I got: P1121 ETC Actuator.

I guess that makes sense, but would that set off the Service Engine Soon light?

Assuming that I can find this part...where is it located?

Thanks.

[atlM35]

Looks like your throttle body / drive-by-wire system is going out. This is why I hate dbw.
We even have a recall on the '06-'10 Ms because of the pedal side of the system.
The SES light will be on when you have a trouble code present.
I suggest unplugging the wire harness that goes to the throttle body, cleaning the inside of the throttle body, and giving the actuator a few slight taps with a hammer. Then plug the harness back on and see if things work. This might buy you some time until you get a replacement. They should sell for around $150 and not too difficult to install.

[Gilded_Splinters]

OK, the throttle body did need some cleaning, and I did that, but the only thing I saw with and electrical connections that was attached to the throttle body itself was on the rear or firewall side. It was black, about 3 1/2" across and had 2 plugs attached to it. One was blue, the other green. I tapped it a few times, no difference.

The trouble is that after spending some time on the phone with a Nissan dealership, an Infiniti dealership and the folks at Infiniti Parts USA, nobody has a listing for an ETC actuator. Nobody (except you that is) even seems to know what this thing is or where it is.

[atlM35]

I believe that's because it comes as one unit attached to the throttle body. I just noticed that you're referring to a 2003 model.
This post might help:
2003-m45-p1121-code-issues-need-help-t512278.html

[Gilded_Splinters]

Well, after a few days the SES light went out and all is well...for now at least.

After reading the older thread you referred me to (thanks for that by the way) I checked the air filter and was shocked at how dirty it was. This is a car with 30K miles on it and it looked like it came off of a tractor.

Anyway, hopefully this is the end of that problem, and thanks for your help and attention to this thread.

G.S.