Infiniti I30/I35 Maintenance and Repair

sanjaysdca · December 2008

It probably is the batt.

If the starter is bad AND batt is then all the dash lights and headlight will work and car will not turn at all.

I have 2000 I30 that had occasional start problem...it turns out the positive terminal was loose

FWIW: I was using "green felt rings" to prevent corrosion. My mechanic told me not to use those as he noticed in 00 maxima and I30's if you use those felt rings the positive terminal gets loose after some time..

He has no explanation for it...it was just his observation/empirical evidence

96infiniti · December 2008

I love this car I've had it for over 6 years and it has a 130k miles on it. I'm not the biggest car expert I've slowly been learning here is my problem. The belts on my car kept snapping which always caused the battery to die. When I start up the car from a cold start it would always screech loudly. The car would also screech when I put on the AC/Defrost or accel after a long stop period such as a red light. Eventually I disconnected the AC and the problem went away for the time being. After my car battery died again I finally found out the alternator was not charging the battery. I took it to a good friend he worked on it and also found that the damper pulley was pretty much shot as well. After replacing the damper pulley and alternator everything was fine until 2 days later the car has huge problems starting up with even louder screeching now. Sometimes it would start for a few seconds then just die if I did not hit the gas to get it going. I put a tester on it again and it showed that the battery isn't getting charged. The belts didn't look in the best shape so I'm going to replace them again. Anyone think they know what the problem is?

1996 infiniti i30, v6 engine

idomyownstunts · December 2008

i have a 1999 i30. so the other day my battery died. While trying to jump it the alarm went off and wouldnt turn off. After i fixed that all the electrical components in the car are dead. nothing works. Everytime i charge the battery it dies eventually. im thinking its the alternator, but i just had it changes. car doesnt even turn on. Could someone help me with this issue. Why is it that nothing works inside the. When the battery has juice the car runs. but other then that it will keep dying. Check engine light is on too. Thank you!

refugeescamp · December 2008

The belts are usually the problem for your car screeching when its stationary so i suggest changing those if you haven't changed them in a while. They aren't that expensive. My car used to have a screeching/grinding noise on startup and that was due to the starter giving the car a bad start. It even had problems not starting if the car was left for a while. Does your car start fine after you have driven it a bit OR does it always have a problem starting even after its warmed up? If its only on the cold starts then your starter isn't starting the car properly. When a starter is changed you will notice that you just turn the key just slightly and the car fires up in a second u don't even have to turn the key all the way. If you have to hold it for a bit longer than when u first bought your car then your starter is problably what you want to change. It fixed the cold startup issues (that's if its not your belts that are worn out and slipping).

96infiniti · December 2008

Exactly what you described. On cold starts it really struggles to start up but once it does and I drive for a while I can turn off and start back up with ease. I'm going to replace the belts again was going to earlier but got hit with some snow. How easy is it to replace a starter?

refugeescamp · December 2008

then its your starter that needs changing. Its not hard to install at all. just have to take out the whole air intake box and its next to the side of the engine. A mechanic can change it in 30 mins tops.

jenngood · January 2009

I have te same exact problem right now and they cant locate the problem it would be really helpful if you got back to me and let me know what you did to fix the problem, thank you.

Zzzoomer · January 2009

I had this problem 2 years ago. It was difficult isolating the issue with my mechanic but we did find it. I would be driving down the street and without warning the transmission seemed to go into neutral. Motor continued to run but the transmission would not engage. Pulling over the side of the road and turning the car off and restarting it provided a temporary resolution. Also the check engine light would come on but then go off after 2 or 3 days. The mechanic kept the car two weeks and could not recreate the problem. Driving the car aggressively in non-interstate conditions seemed to recreate the issue. Bottom line: it was the VSS (varible speed sensor) on the transmission. Once it was replaced, it has not occurred again. Have the car checked while the check engine light is on and the code should give the mechanic sufficient verification that this is the problem. Hope that helps.

lisa · January 2009

Hi all. We bought a 2000 I30 about 3 years ago. Not many miles on it- now only 84K. Recently started stalling when starting, and worse now that the weather is colder (tho here in Austin, it's never "cold"). We have to wait 5+ minutes for it to warm up in the AM or it will stall.After warm up, it runs fine all day.

My mechanic could not figure it out. Then he did a computer test and it said there was a TSB yada Yada. Brought to local Inifinity dealer who says that is not the prob. It might be O2 things and probably the catalytic converter. Total cost might be over $2K but they are not sure that is the problem. Still I have to pay that if I want them to try.

My other mechanic says No Way O2 and CC shouldn't only fail in cold weather.

So, anyone have this problem? I hate to pay $2k for a "maybe" plus the car is 10 years old (but only 84K miles)

Awaiting your thoughts!

fgmyed · January 2009

Hi, I have a I30 1999 with 195,000 miles and bought the car new. Car has run well so it is surprising how great these cars are made. I recall back in 1999 - 2000 time period there were serveral had problems with the coils. Apparently there was a bad batch installed in many i30's. I have no idea if this is your problem but it is another option.

fuego0615 · January 2009

Hi! Really the O2 sensor should not cause the car to stall because when it is not operating properly the car should stay in "open loop" which means it runs on "default" O2 sensor values instead of live data. As far as checking to see if the cat converter is the problem, the only reason it should make the car stall is if it is completely clogged but then I would suspect you would have problems whether the car is hot or cold, you would at least have performance problems while it was hot. I would have your mechanic disconnect the exhaust from the catatlytic converter and start the car to see if the problem is there. If the problem is still there you know its not the cat converter. If the problem goes away it may be the cat converter and now it is halfway apart so you shouldn't have to pay for that diagnostic if you are going to get a catalytic converter put on anyway. If your mechanic takes the cat converter off he/she should be able to see if it is clogged. Cold stall could be a number of problems but with the info you have given that's what I would suggest.

bbw16 · January 2009

Says it has to do with coil problem, we have 6 coils, how do we determine what is the best course to take, as the engine lite will not go out. thanks.

bobfl · January 2009

In my opinion the best thing to do is to change all the coils. I have had on and off probs for a long time, then I changed all the coils and its like a new car. The "Stealer" quoted me $1200 to change them. I said no thanks and decided to do it myself. You can buy them all over the place and should cost about $350 to $400 for all of them. The front ones were simple to install. I was afraid of the back ones but they turned out to be only slightly harder than the front bank. The trick is to not drop the bolt that holds them in. I did that by putting a small magnetic pickup down next to scket wrench while extracting the bolt. Then the coils just lift straight up and out. All in all it only took about an hour to change all six. The other problem is figuring out how to disconnect the wires from the coils, but that varies by the type you have. I almost have to laugh when I think they wanted $1200 for this job, considering they probably only pay about 60% of what I paid for the parts and certainly they can do it in less than an hour! This is an example of why after owning three Infinitis I bought a Toyota

bbw16 · January 2009

Thanks for the advice, i will probably do the same.

windowphobe6 · February 2009

There must be some seriously hungry dealers out there. My local Infiniti store replaced all six coils on my '00 I30 for $770.

zizik · February 2009

Hi,I just bought 2001 Infinity I30.Driver side seat is not moving back and forth...Did somebody have problem like this?How easier to replace the motor?

midwestcanuck · February 2009

I had this problem last fall with my 2001 I30. I read the forums and there was a lot of talk about this being a common problem. I checked all the connections and finally sat in the seat and slammed myself back into it and pulled it forward repeatedly. It started to work again. It appears if it goes all the way back, it can get stuck. If it is all the way back, II would suggest pushing on it from behind, while simultaneously moving the control forward. If it stopped moving somewhere in the middle, it is likely the motor.

Scott.

zizik · February 2009

Thanks,I ask my husband to try this(hope it start work again

).We bought this car several days ago,but I can't drive it because of the seat position.

sanjaysdca · February 2009

What were the symptoms before you replaced ignition coils?

Thanks
Sanjay

zizik · February 2009

Hi,I just bought 2001 Infinity I30 and was given only one pair of key.Can I make additional one in Home Depot or I have to go to Infinity Dealership?Thanks

windowphobe6 · February 2009

No driveability issues, but a couple of codes were set (P0300 series) which indicate individual coils on the fritz; I decided to replace them all at once, since I was also due for new plugs (105,000 miles).

sanjaysdca · February 2009

Thanks for your reply.

I too am getting code 1320 and dealer wants $1000 to replace all 6 coils and plugs. Debating what to do....I am in southern California

How much did it cost you?

Sanjay

samuelh1 · February 2009

I recommend find a local garage to get this done. Changing coils is not very hard. I changed mine at my mechanic and did a great job, much cheaper than $1000.00.

I30t_2000 · February 2009

I think your post is so cute - just made me laugh - how come you just bought but unable to seat it comfortably to drive nest day? - return it asap to your dealer!

- go buying a honda or toyota!

I30t_2000 · February 2009

please help me make decision: year 2000 I30t, mlg at 116,500. Looks good but I am scared by all the expensive repairs and trouble you all seemed having ...!

bbw16 · February 2009

had mine since 2003, over 96000 miles at this time, not really anything major, coil problem now, but that can happen. I would recommend.

medis1 · February 2009

Hi everyone, this is my first time in this forum. I have a problem with my I30, yesterday all sudden it did not start. All the lights came on and when I turned the key only a short click then nothing. I tried to get a jump start, the same response just click no cranking.. I took the battery out and put it under charge the battery was full. This happened at a store parking lot so this morning I went to the car and cheeked the rely box, and then I swapped the Start /Theft relay with the Viper relay which they were the same. Then the car started with no problem. Then this evening the same thing happened. No start, All the light on dash works fine. Any clue or suggestion?

windowphobe6 · February 2009

About $800 from the local Infiniti store. This particular procedure isn't exactly rocket science, though, so you can probably save a couple of C-notes by going through a good independent garage.

needg · February 2009

I've had spare keys made at home depot and other key places for my 1998 I30 without any problems. You should be fine as long as the home depot you go to has the right blank key to cut. It may take a bit of searching to find one that has it in stock.

sanjaysdca · February 2009

Thanks.
I orderd the coils from a infiniti dealer in Arizon ($75.00 each). Will install it this weekend. I think its a DIY job.

Found a good service manual at

link title

medis1 · February 2009

Well, here is update to the "No start" problem. After all the troubleshooting and testing and changing relays and battery, it was the ultimate one "the starter. It is changed now and she is running fine.

carlover71 · March 2009

Hey, did you get rid of your car? I live in Austin too and having the same problem with a car I just bought. Did you figure out what it was?<img src="

Probably is the coils but who knows??

As seeing that everyone is having problems with their coils, why didn't infiniti or nissan not do a recall.. sounds like something serious.

oct31st · March 2009

My 97 was/is having the same problem. I bought a new battery and it worked fine for a couple of weeks, now back to same problem. I changed the battery terminals also, no help. I am about to change the starter, which I think is rpobably the problem. Mine has 200,000+ miles on it right now; original starter. I'm pretty sure this is my problem, may be yours as well. Good Luck!!

oct31st · March 2009

Hello All. SImple question. I am looking to replace the starter in my 97 I30. Even though I'm no mechanic, I feel I have the aptitude to handle the repair myself. Is this safe, or should I bit the bullet and pay for a professional to handle it so that I don't risk ruining anything else??

sanjaysdca · March 2009

I have found maxima.org as a very imformative site for DIY. Check it out. It might be a simple job depending on where the starter is located.

Service manuals can be found at

link title

best of luck
Sanjay

medis1 · March 2009

Yes, I have replaced the starter and that was the problem. I originally was planning to change it myself but I found a good mechanic who did the job in one afternoon for $60.00. It is only listed for 0.8 hr and it did not took him even that long. I am like you not a mechanic but pretty handy, but for that low cost i did not risk it.
Goodluck!

fuego0615 · March 2009

I got my Infiniti used from my brother and had a starting problem. He told me the starter had been replaced so i got a battery. Didn't help. The starter is super easy to take out of this car. I took it out and took it to the store to get bench tested and sure enough it was bad, and it had been replaced. So if you have gone 200,000 miles with one starter, chances are that's it! If you need info on how to change it let me know.

oct31st · March 2009

Thanks. Did the job myself and fixed the problem.

oct31st · March 2009

Thanks. Did it myself, fixed the problem!

bostonguy1 · March 2009

Hi,

Anyone have an owners manual collecting dust they can part with? Also, couple of questions from new owner...what is the TCS switch all about? And how accruate do you think the MPG reading is?

joegha1 · April 2009

my 1996 infinity I 30 wouldn't crank or start.

only once every 20 or 30 times that it will normally.

I have replaced the starter and the neutral/safety switch and checked the battery and no result... and noticed that i have like 9 error codes
Po110, p0130, p0325, p0400, p0750, p0755, p1740, p1746, p1760

the p0750 and p0755 are the A/B shift solenoids.

This morning i tried to start it and it did from the first try. and then back to its old habit no luck again as before.

joegha1 · April 2009

OHHH i have the same problem and have replaced the starter and the neutral switch..... and i like the idea of checking the igntion switch. but where the hell is the ignition switch located? by the stiring wheel? oh maybe i should do some research on where the hell is it....

joegha1 · April 2009

What did the solution ended to be for your car? I have the same problem and replaced the started and the neutral switch, but back to square one with the problem...

joegha1 · April 2009

Good news everyone. I have followed and advice from one of the reply to another post and fixed my problem too by replacing the IGNITION SWITCH and this fixed my problem.. this might be a regular failure on this model 1996 Infinity I30. so for anyone whom has a problem with starting and no crank? check the ignition switch first. Its very easy to do. and its very cheap $27.00 at O'Reilly Auto Parts website and picked it up at a store next to me... it took 30 minutes to do and I am not that very good mechanic, but handy. good luck everyone and thanks for eye's opener.

sophia087 · April 2009

Glad my post could help you out

hossjr · April 2009

Someone cracked the quarter panel Taillight Lens on my I30.
Can you just replace the lens? Is it fairly easy to do?
I'm guessing you get access from the trunk panel liner.

mysiki30 · April 2009

Ok so i have a 01 I30, beautiful car bought it salvaged title, right side suspension pretty bent. I replaced the lower control arm, the axle. And i still cant get the wheel to center in. its pulled back about 3/4 in. the frame is fine, the allignment is done, camber and caster are fine i just cant figure out why the dam wheel is pulled back. Oh and im on my 3rd lower control arm and counting, the bushings keep going out on it. Please help me with any suggestions or tips, on what else it could be.? Thank You all. :confuse:

joegha1 · April 2009

Ok, Let me get this. when you start it all you hear is a click and the battery is good, I am sure the starter is good and nothing seems the problem? sound familiar to me... these cars are famous with the ignition switch problem..

It drove me crazy and replaced the started , safety switch and tested the battery, then i was on this web site and got an idea about the ignition switch and replaced it... it did the job for me with $28 job and 30 minutes of my time
so look into this and see if you are only getting a click from the starter and the battery is fine? try the switch
good luck...
Joe

Mr_Shiftright · April 2009

You should take the car to a frame shop---someone who straightens frames (or in your case, unibodies) day after day. I'm not so sure a regular alignment shop can spot your problem. Sounds like your entire strut is misaligned. And of course, the neck bone's connected to the spine bone, blah blah.

lhy · May 2009

I am thinking about buying a used 1996 Infiniti I30 sedan.

What are the repair/maintenance costs on this car like? Would I need to take it to a Infiniti dealer for repair service, or would any mechanic be okay?

Does this car take regular unleaded or premium gas?

And what are the insurance costs like?

Infiniti I30/I35 Maintenance and Repair

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