I have a 1997 Q45 in nice condition. I am in very cold Chicago (that may be a clue.) When I start the car OUTDOORS after it has sat for hours the gear light on the dashboard flashes for about two minutes. So, if I am parked, the P will flash and if I am driving the D will flash. I am not sure if other dash lights or other lights flash, now that I think of it.
I have flipped through the manual from cover to cover twice and while the answer may be hidden in there somewhere, it is not a topic or an easily found answer.
Is my car weird or is this a signal of some problem? My other functions appear to be working fine. Did I miss it in the owner's manual?
Many thanks,
Jonnie
Why? 1997 Q45 dashboard flashes for two minutes on cold startup
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maxnix
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1995 Infiniti Q45t
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Re: Why? 1997 Q45 dashboard flashes for two minutes on cold startup (jonnie f)
Welcome to NICO, jonnie f.
I am wondering if the slat spray is getting to some of your connectors on the underside. Proabaly worth a look whne you have it on the rack next time soon. Rinse it first!
I am wondering if the slat spray is getting to some of your connectors on the underside. Proabaly worth a look whne you have it on the rack next time soon. Rinse it first!
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bullittandy
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Re: Why? 1997 Q45 dashboard flashes for two minutes on cold startup (jonnie f)
This sounds like some sort of cold weather protection but I've never heard of it.
Is it temp related in that when the cars warms up it always stops? Since the flashing light follows the gear you choose it doesn't sound too random and these cars do not shift into 4th until the transmission is warm so there is some sort of temp related functioning of the transmission.
good find and report back with results.
Is it temp related in that when the cars warms up it always stops? Since the flashing light follows the gear you choose it doesn't sound too random and these cars do not shift into 4th until the transmission is warm so there is some sort of temp related functioning of the transmission.
good find and report back with results.
Re: Why? 1997 Q45 dashboard flashes for two m ... (bullittandy)
Guys- Thanks for your responses. This is not a random or loose connection problem. In cold weather on a cold start when the car is in park, the P on the dashboard flashes with the same tempo as the emergency lights. When I put the car into a gear, say D, the D will flash in the same tempo. This will continue for about two minutes only, and then stop on its own. It's about to be -3 in Chicago. I should get a chance to watch it to see if any other lights are flashing as well (although I just had my remote start fixed so that I can enter a warm car, but I'll forgo it to collect more data. Again thanks,J
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maxnix
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Re: Why? 1997 Q45 dashboard flashes for two m ... (jonnie f)
Never have read about that mode of operation. Could you cite it?jonnie f wrote:This is not a random or loose connection problem. In cold weather on a cold start when the car is in park, the P on the dashboard flashes with the same tempo as the emergency lights.
So this occurs when the you start the car with the emergency flashers on?
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Q451990
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I just browsed through the FSM for the '97, and didn't see it mentioned - but it's a lot of reading, and I didn't read every word.
Jonnie F... if you don't have your FSM (factory service manual) you should get a copy of it. I think it's here on NICO somewhere, but I can never seem to remember the link.
Your car has an A/T self diagnostic procedure that you might want to try to look for any issues.
Heath
Jonnie F... if you don't have your FSM (factory service manual) you should get a copy of it. I think it's here on NICO somewhere, but I can never seem to remember the link.
Your car has an A/T self diagnostic procedure that you might want to try to look for any issues.
Heath
Re: (Q451990)
Good question.
Background. Over the summer the ECM (computer) died. It was replaced, but the dealer didn't tell me that replacement (actually I bought it used for $500 instead of the $2500 that the dealer wanted) would reprogram the keys.
So, when I tried to start the car remotely, the remote starter did not work... and that was because a key with a chp in it was inside the remote module and that key was not reprogrammed. Of course, I found all this out the hard way. I actually had a third key, but the dealer never asked if I had any other keys. In fact, he returned the car to me with the slip/tcs/abs and engine check lights on. But, that's another story.
So, the remote installer removed the key and gave it to me to have it reprogrammed with the second key. I had the keys reprogrammed yesterday (the dealer who replaced the ECM charges $130 to reprogram a key, another dealer nearby charges $60) because of the impending cold wave. I took the car back to the remote installer, he popped the key into the module and the remote starter worked.
You have me wondering whether the remote starter without the key caused the dashboard light(s) to flash. I'll do some checking to see if the lights still flash, but at a temperature below 10 right now, I am hardpressed not to use the remote, but I won't.
Sharp thinking.
By the way for anyone who is interested. I found a guaranteed ECM on line which the dealer installed for $500. The service manager treated me like a second class citizen during the process, although I suspect what he would have charged me $2500 for would have been the same thing.
The car was driven by my daughter who went off to college. When I picked up the car the TCS/ABS/Slip lights were on, which I thought meant that the systems were armed/working. The check engine light was on also. I called the dealer within 5 minutes of driving out of their facility. The service manager did not take the call. I left a message. He did not call back. I left another the next day. He never called back. I wrote to the owner of the dealership, Gold Coast Infiniti. He never responded.
Result: Needed a new relay for the TCS/ABS/SLIP, tuneup for the check engine light, and I had to pay $60 for the reprogramming at a different dealership. I would not return to Gold Coast.
Prologue: I wrote to Nissan. They responded well and gave me a gift certificate for more than the reprogramming. So, I am a reborn fan of Inifiniti's, but would rather travel an extra twenty miles than go back to Gold Coast.
Jonnie
Background. Over the summer the ECM (computer) died. It was replaced, but the dealer didn't tell me that replacement (actually I bought it used for $500 instead of the $2500 that the dealer wanted) would reprogram the keys.
So, when I tried to start the car remotely, the remote starter did not work... and that was because a key with a chp in it was inside the remote module and that key was not reprogrammed. Of course, I found all this out the hard way. I actually had a third key, but the dealer never asked if I had any other keys. In fact, he returned the car to me with the slip/tcs/abs and engine check lights on. But, that's another story.
So, the remote installer removed the key and gave it to me to have it reprogrammed with the second key. I had the keys reprogrammed yesterday (the dealer who replaced the ECM charges $130 to reprogram a key, another dealer nearby charges $60) because of the impending cold wave. I took the car back to the remote installer, he popped the key into the module and the remote starter worked.
You have me wondering whether the remote starter without the key caused the dashboard light(s) to flash. I'll do some checking to see if the lights still flash, but at a temperature below 10 right now, I am hardpressed not to use the remote, but I won't.
Sharp thinking.
By the way for anyone who is interested. I found a guaranteed ECM on line which the dealer installed for $500. The service manager treated me like a second class citizen during the process, although I suspect what he would have charged me $2500 for would have been the same thing.
The car was driven by my daughter who went off to college. When I picked up the car the TCS/ABS/Slip lights were on, which I thought meant that the systems were armed/working. The check engine light was on also. I called the dealer within 5 minutes of driving out of their facility. The service manager did not take the call. I left a message. He did not call back. I left another the next day. He never called back. I wrote to the owner of the dealership, Gold Coast Infiniti. He never responded.
Result: Needed a new relay for the TCS/ABS/SLIP, tuneup for the check engine light, and I had to pay $60 for the reprogramming at a different dealership. I would not return to Gold Coast.
Prologue: I wrote to Nissan. They responded well and gave me a gift certificate for more than the reprogramming. So, I am a reborn fan of Inifiniti's, but would rather travel an extra twenty miles than go back to Gold Coast.
Jonnie
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maxnix
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Re: (jonnie f)
Infiniti of Lisle had a sterling reputation at one time.
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Q451990
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After thinking about that style of dash, I don't think it's related to the park lights... which I think most remote start modules flash while the car is running after the remote start.
You mentioned that the shifter indicator flashes in time with the flashers... does that mean the flashers are on, or was that just a description?
Tell us more about the ECU failure? That's very rare...
Oh, and here's the link to download the FSM. http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM
The '97 file seems to be incomplete, but it does have the AT section you need. For the other sections you will probably be fine with the '98 model.
Heath
You mentioned that the shifter indicator flashes in time with the flashers... does that mean the flashers are on, or was that just a description?
Tell us more about the ECU failure? That's very rare...
Oh, and here's the link to download the FSM. http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM
The '97 file seems to be incomplete, but it does have the AT section you need. For the other sections you will probably be fine with the '98 model.
Heath
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unknown007
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Re: (Q451990)
It can be your alarm.Sometimes a mal function can occur and cause all your lights to flash with no sound.Maybe that can be it?
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maxnix
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1995 Infiniti Q45t
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Re: (unknown007)
Any third party with chipped key wired in alarm system throws all standard procedures out the window. Who knows how the installer wired in?unknown007 wrote:It can be your alarm.Sometimes a mal function can occur and cause all your lights to flash with no sound.Maybe that can be it?