First of all, many thanks to those who have posted - I've learned a lot about how to handle the myriad of problems that seem to arise.
I have a 93 J30 - have owned it since 4/01. These are problems I've had and the remedies I've undertaken:
1) Sunroof leaked - bought new seal ($60) from dealer and had an aftermarket sunroof shop install it for $115 (thought that was worth it rather than do on my own).
2) Bose power went out completely - got lucky - called a car stereo store in Tysons Corner, VA. They told me it is common occurrence - seems the solder on the wiring simply comes loose over time and they re-attach it ($240 including cleaning/re-conditioning) so it won't happen again. Really lucky because the dealer had told me I would have to replace at cost of $2500 - no thanks!!!
3) Error message on CD's - it's the heat and humidity. Oddly enough, it is even mentioned in the owners manual. #1 - try using a cleaning kit to clean the laser head - that will help. #2 - if cds are hot, try holding "play" side of cd in front of the a/c for a few seconds, then place in the player - works for me in hot/humid Wash D.C. area.
4)Doors lock on their own (even while car is running and you just got out to run back inside for something at your friend's house) - carry the spare valet key in your wallet or another pocket so IT WON'T BURN YOU TWICE. Otherwise, check the former posts about getting new parts.
5)I've had problems with my a/c in that it will run fine for about an hour and then just seems to quit although blower will still be on - my only remedy is to wait a few minutes and then it will function normally again for another hour - I suspect it is a thermostat - I live with it because I'm rarely in it for long trips.
6)Headlights flicker on/off on their own - come to this site BEFORE you spend $200+ having the mechanic blindly tell you he's not sure what it is and that he'll try a new switch to see if that works (it doesn't) because my good friends here tell me it's the relay.
Looks like I've had all/most of the problems described here, but I STILL LOVE THE CAR.
Good luck to everyone. I'll be back when next problem arises.
I have just purchased a 1993 J30 with 75,000km (about 42,000 miles) on it for a very reasonable price. It is in immaculate shape and I'm very pleased with the vehicle. I do have a couple of questions ... my J30 has heated seats (driver and passenger) along with dual airbags. This seems a little odd since the 93 apparently did not come with these options. It has a four speaker system. Any ideas?
All J30s came w/ dual air bags. Heated seats were always available on the Canadian models. The Bose w/ the 4 speaker was upgrade to 6 speakers (2 tweeters) in 1994.
thanx for the info. that explains it. was hoping that i might have had a "tweener" since the 93 model years were produced in 92 and wouldn't have to change the timing belt so soon. do you know if it is possible to add a couple of tweeters to the existing Bose setup?
again, thanx for the info. i don't believe that i will pursue that option ... i may take it to an independent "aftermarket" place that a friend recommended. excuse my ignorance of these things, but what is the best way to keep the injectors clean.
I bought my j30 2 years ago and have put 40,000 miles on it. Done a lot of work to it, but all has been worth it. I've had nearly every problem in this forum and fixed nearly all of them myself. I keep my fuel injectors clean using a 10 dollar bottle of cleaner from an auto parts store. It returns my idle to it's silky smoothness. The dealers fuel injector cleaner in my opinion is not much better, just a lot more expensive. I used to work at a dealership using their cleaner. I think they add something to it to give your car a little more pep while it's in there (octane booster?), just to make you think it's worth all the money. I do frequent fuel filter changes on my cars even when the dealers only recommend you do them with pump and strainer changes. I had a hard start one morning and took the much appreciated advice of one of the previous messages (that was it was a normal condition when the vehicles are started and stopped in the cold in rapid succession, which was the case, unburned fuel in the combustion chambers causing a "flood" condition by the ECU. If you experience this, I would suggest before throwing parts at it, to do a fuel filter, make sure you're using only premium fuel, and the 10 dollar bottle of cleaner. I bought the most expensive cleaner from the cheapest place with another fuel additive to lubricate the injectors as well. This forum is probably the best way to get advice on your cars because it contains intelligent people who take their cars to Infiniti dealerships all over the U.S. or have knowledge based on other backgrounds. Working in a dealership I realized it was impossible to be right all the time, but they expected you to be. Also, "I don't know" or "The manufacturer doesn't have a fix for it yet" doesn't go over well with people who are paying out about 50 grand for a car. To all of you I would advise to be patient with the dealers and their mechanics because the mechanics are trying to make a living trying to find your little annoying rattles and noises when new (and like me,even when old), and highly sophisticated problems when old. If you think about it, each part of your car is designed by a highly intelligent Japanese guy with an office full of degrees and certificates. While your entire car is worked on by a guy with probably no degree and a tool box full of tools that probably exceeds the amount of money you paid for your used j30 ($6000) that he has to pay for on top of making a living for himself. I worked on Cadillacs and Hondas for a year and nearly took a job at the Infiniti dealership. I'm glad I didn't especially after reading the message left by the guy who was unhappy about his Q45 in beverly hills, that the transmission apparently had a downshifting problem. It was apparently unsuccessfuly diagnosed as the transmission control module (he said the transmission brain)and he said accelerator pedal, but I'm sure he didn't know that there is probably an accelerator pedal postion sensor that the mechanic felt could be causing the issue. The truth being that the guy was probably expecting corvette performance out of his luxury sedan, but at the price, perhaps they could have a special package for these guys and put twin turbos on them, just a thought. Anyways I love my puney 200 horsepower j30 that really performs quite well. I'm glad that all the people who bought these cars to begin with didn't appreciate the wonderful styling and precision engineering that went into it because I picked mine up for cheap. We all on this site know the difference and quality between true dual exhaust and a cheap y pipe. I don't blame Infiniti for selling the I30 in place of the J30. If only they made it shinier would rich Americans think it better.
The J is a 300ZX in a sedan body, and was named one of the "20 Greatest Japanese Cars Of All Time" by Forbes magazine. They said " it was the J that established the Infiniti as the coolest of the Japanese brands, imaginative in form as well as mechanically superb. It had 4 wheel ABS brakes, speed sensitive steering, a limited slip differential, and the touring models offered 4 wheel steering. With a DOHC 24 valve V-6 derived from the 300ZX, the J-30 also had plenty of scoot." It's a great value for the money. Not a lot of people are aware of how much car you can get for the money with the J. They originally sold in the high $30k.
After my deals for a '93 Legend, '95 Q45, and '92 SC300 all fell through for one reason or another, I'ver set my sights on the J30. All things being equal, which ones below is the best deal:
'95 J30, black/tan, 77k for $8000 '95 J30, black/gray 68k for $11900 '97 J30, black/gray 84k for $13000
These are all 'asking' prices. Is it a coicidence that these are all the same color? What do y'all think? I'm leaning towards the $8000 one.
I have owned my 93 j30 for 2 yrs and have added 35k miles to it which makes it 155k. The only "money" I have put into it is: 2 sets of brakes pads (dealership installed-$530, doing it myself-$45), new antenna -$90, new headlamp relay-$140(dealer installed). The car is awesome I love it and I think that I would have a hard time parting ways with it although it is not in great condition looks wise. The one problem I have encountered that I still havent fixed is the bose cd player. Would not work when I bought car, had to cut constant power wire- kind of a pain to have reset stations each time I drive. I have had numerous compliments from all ages regarding the j30 and I find it flattering. If you are thinking about buying a j30 dont think too long just do it!!
I have a question about the leather, I had a friend not thump his cigarette out and it landed in the back seat and burnt a hole the size of a quarter in the seat. Any thoughts or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
I have a 93 J30t with 177,000 miles, bought in 94 with 19,000 miles. It has been an extremely excellent and reliable vehicle and have more than gotten my money's worth in terms of quality, trouble-free motoring and enjoyment. While not absolutely trouble-free, I know of no other car that provides this combination of quality, luxury, class, pleasure and value.
I have experienced some of the problems that are mentioned on this board, but nothing terribly expensive that prompts to to say the car is not worth fixing. To the contrary, at this mileage, I'm surprised it has never cost too much to repair in any year to prompt me to trade - and the local Infiniti dealer is the sole service provider (other than tires).
I was wondering if anyone has much higher mileage and if you could share you repair experience as to what problems to expect and cost of repair. Please include any information as to level of maintenance if possible. I would also gladly share my experience with anyone who is interested in repair, maintenance or other issues.
I too wish that Infiniti would sell a "new" J. I looked at the new M45 and my first reaction was "butt ugly" but the looks are growing on me. I hear its really a hot-rod luxury sedan. Any input on that would also be appreciated.
When I take my J in for service, they give me a G35 to drive. I really enjoy driving the G and it has numerous features that I like. It drives and handles beautifully However, I get the idea that it is more of a boy racer car than a true sports luxury sedan and is not as refined as the J. I might just keep the J and look to buy an M45 or similar, such as the GS430, but the local Lexus dealer has treated me poorly in the past and has a poor reputation. I'm not willing to fill his pockets with MY money.
About 2 years ago I had a really annoying light (brake light out warning light) on my dash that kept illuminating when I depressed the brake pedal. It was very intermittent and it took me a while to figure out which one of the four was not coming on since it didn't seem to act up when I got out of my car to check it. Finally I got it to act up and every time I touched the socket putting a new bulb in or whatever it would do ok for about a week or two then start all over again. I fixed this by taking the socket apart and recentering the spring and disc inside. Just recently the light started coming on again. This time it's a different socket and I plan on fixing it the same way. I'm wondering if anyone has had this extremely annoying problem and if the dealer has charged anyone an unreasonable amount to fix this. It takes about 5 minutes to fix and I suspect that the dealer is replacing the sockets instead of just fixing them at nearly no cost but about 5 minutes labor. Also, up until about 6 months ago my trunk used to release on it's own while driving for no reason. This was extremely annoying as well, going down the road, looking in my rear view mirror just to see my trunk flying in the wind. This use to happen about once every month or so and ever since I found a wiring connector submerged in water at the right rear side of the engine compartment (exactly opposite the head lamp relay) that I poked a hole through the protective cover that held water, it has not happened now for 6 months or so. I was also wondering if anyone has had or has this problem and if they have fixed this in the same manner. Although it's been a long time since this has happened, I still catch myself looking in my rear view mirror fearing that my trunk is open. I don't have an electrical schematic for this car and I really want to buy one that way I can have some sort of confidence in these repairs. But until then any input or feedback will be appreciated.
Took my 93 to the dealer to fix the headlight relay switch. Was denied a courtesy car during the 5 hr service period and the car wasnt even washed. I guess I was spoiled by Roswell Infinti in Atlanta. They provide a courtesy car no matter the mileage or the service. Crown Infiniti in Bham will never sell me a car, I will drive the 2hrs to buy my next one in Atl
I recently bought a 1995 J30. All is well except the passenger side low beam headlamp does not stay on. A friend suggested that it could be the filament in the bulb. I got a new bulb and it is still happening. Any ideas?
I own a '93 J30 and have been thinking about upgrading my headlight bulbs. Clearly, I don't know a lot about cars (learning more all the time)... i believe that 9006 are low beams, but I have also seen the designation H5 ... can anyone help me understand what the difference is. I'm in Canada, and haven't been able to source the sylvania silverstar bulbs locally, however, i can get PIAA bulbs. which bulb is the most recommended for this vehicle. I know there are superwhites, x-treme whites, plasma gt, but i'm uncertain which one would be the most appropriate. is there a feeling on whether the silverstar bulbs are "better" than the PIAA. On a different subject, I'm also considering purchasing a dash kit. Any recomendations? Help is much appreciated. thanx.
My 96' J30's driver side window started to show slowness when I rolled it up and down. Then I sprayed some W40 on the edge of the window thinking it might lubricate the window movement. It worked immediately and I was happy. However, two days later, the window moves even slower than before and has strange sound that I suspect the regulator is binding and the motor is overburdened. Is anyone here has experience to tear apart the front door? and how to lubricate the window in a correct way?
I have been trying to find out if all years of the J30 (1993-1997) had timing belts in their engines or did any year have a chain? Is belt changing scheduled at every 60,000? Also, do all years have the newer 134-a freon or did any year use R 12? I appreciate any insight that anyone can offer. This has been much harder to find out than I would have ever dreamed!
All of the J-30's, 92'-97' had timing BELTS. The 92'(in Japan) and 93' required changing at 60k miles. After 93' the suggested replacement was at 100k miles. You might find the answer to your other question at http://infinitihelp.com/Infiniti/index.htm
I noticed that a lot of people on this site have had the headlight problem. It got me too. I replaced both front headlight bulbs, the turn signal lever assy. with headlight switch ($50 from Infiniti of Nashville), and after that didn't fix it, it finally dawned on me that the clicking noise I kept hearing as I turned the headlights on and off was a relay. So I bought it for like $35 bucks and put it in myself. It's located at the far back right of the engine compartment (as you're looking at the car from the front) and is secured by one bolt and 2 wiring connectors that are very short and may induce a certain amount of cursing when dealt with. However, as it is a pain to replace, I find it comical that anyone would pay over $20 bucks to have this done. It took me about 15 minutes to do it, 14 minutes longer than it would've taken if they'd just made the wiring just 2 inches longer. But that is definitely the solution to the problem because these cars basically have all the same few problems (I read all the entries on this site). The timing belt everyone is so afraid of is with good reason. When my cars odometer read 90,000 miles (of which the odometer probably has been tampered with and has probably many more miles) there came a curious noise from the timing belt area. I then went to Infiniti and bought a timing belt, tb tensioner, 3 drive belts, upper and lower radiator hose, thermostat and water pump with nissan sealer. All coming to just under $400. I put all of this on myself and discovered the old tb tensioner had bearings in it that were all ground up making the noise. So the point to all this is that if I just turned my radio up and waited to the 105,000 miles I probably would have been replacing the motor instead of just doing the maintenance. But, like I said, the car probably has many more miles on it than the odometer reads-I bought the car from a sleazy used car lot. The only thing I didn't do was replace the cam seals (4) and the crank seal which I hope will hold out until it reads 150000. Even as I invited the parts guy to sell me all he had, he forgot to mention them to me. It's all of this and the cam seals that drives up the dealers cost to the $2000 mark that is notoriously spoken of on this site (it is worth it though because if only half of it is done, none of it's worth doing). I confirmed it myself and that's what Infiniti of Nashville asks for as well. I wouldn't go to the trouble of having just the belt replaced because when I replaced mine, the belt was actually in good condition, only the tensioner was about to bite it. I'm also going to replace the idler pulley between the 4 cams at 150,000 miles even though the the parts guy at Infiniti didn't recommend it and didn't stock it. &;About the window regulators and window motors I know this. (If anyone has stayed awake or even bothered to have read thus far). The door panels are rather simple to remove. First pry up gently with a flat bladed tool on the small inner door handle trim piece, the power windows trim piece, and (I think) the power mirrors trim piece (I think, but it has been a while and if so would only apply to the drivers door). There may be a screw hidden under it as well. There are either 2 or 3 screws under those trim pieces (one of which is secured w/a tremendous amount of torque) and about 4 across the bottom with little trim pieces on them. After the 6 or 7 screws are out the door panel will come off by pulling straight out releasing the pushpins. Take care not to damaging anything-it's easy to. The regulator track is easily accessible to lubricate with lithium grease or something that would last a little longer than wd-40 (since after you have done this once, it's nothing you're going to feel like doing every few months). This is a pain but the window regulators cost about $100 (of which I have replaced one) and the motors I hear are over $300. I have 2 bad window motors on my car of which I switched the front right and back right around to regain use of my front pass window. I refuse to pay the 300 bucks for the motors especially when all that is wrong with it is the plastic gear inside that has been striped out by the metal worm gear-hence the reason for the trouble of keeping the window regulator lubed...I normally spare no expence on my car to keep it running and looking good but I think I would have trouble paying the $600 for window motors if even I was rich. So I leave them disconnected and unoperable. I know that there are quite a few people more knowlegeable than I of these vehicles that visit this site. I have put a lot down in a short amount of time so any revisions would be appreciated. This is my mere 5 years of aviation and automotive mechancal inclination speaking, and I also would not recommend replacing the timing belt yourself if not done precisely by a timing belt or dealer service manual, it can result in extensive engine damage. I sometimes take for granted that everyone is like me and enjoys getting their hands dirty and the risk of destroying their car's motor. I replaced my timeing belt myself w/out a manual but w/a little common sense. I now have a dealer service manual for the car and it goes in to a fairly elaborate way of making sure the belt is put on right. (If there is a notch too much of slack between the crank shaft and camshaft there probably will be a valve to piston clash-I'm not sure of this but wouldn't like to be the first to test that theory, the manual does caution it though).
I visited the Q45 message board and all I could get from it was that the newer models lacked an integrated cell phone. What was really funny was that some of the people sounded like they wanted to take Infiniti to court, sue em, or just plain maim them because of it. Proves "well to do" is not neccisarily "well in the mind", to me at least. I thought my messages were way too long until I practically read books on why Q45's were the lamest cars on planet earth because they lack an integrated cell phone. Heck, if my biggest worry in life was the fact that I had to use my hand held cell phone over an integrated one, and this truly affected my mental health, I'd probably just go ahead and do the world a favor and take a bath with my favorite household appliance. Well, since I love my J and can live with the despicable downfalls of the Q (no integrated cell phone), I'm asking if any one here could offer any "down to earth" advice on which "pre-owned" or practically "used" model Q would be the best. Not trying to start a new forum or anything, but would like a Q to compliment my J. And I wouldn't say that anywhere but on this site. I only own an Infiniti because it's cheaper to maintain than most domestic low end and high end vehicles that don't even give the false "success like" image. So, as I tell my friends, it's just practical. I learned from this site that the 95-97 J's were the best. I would agree since I seen a lot more problems than most have out of my 94' J, which are dwarfed by any domestic car I've owned, worked on, or known others around me to own. So, let me have it, to Q or not to Q, that is the question.
Although I've never posted here before, I have read every single message in the J30 discussion. Most of you are passionate, devout J30 afficionados. Your posts are entertaining and informative.
In my own personal used car search, this town-hall forum was instrumental in providing me with a thorough working knowledge of the J's model history, known-defects, servicing concerns, performance expectations, price valuations, and general quirks. Indeed, you all helped me immensely in finding the right J30 for the right price.
I am very appreciative to all who have posted, and am very proud to be a member of the 'J-Club.'
Here's my story:
When I initially started my search for a used car last fall, the J30 wasn't even in my sights. I "discovered" what I eventually came to consider the most intriguing of all Infinity models to date when it popped up on a local search.
Although I ultimately found the J30 in question to be already sold (it was a Silver 1993 with 120K mi.), just seeing it in person on the lot was enough to hook me.
From that point on, I avidly researched the car. I read numerous reviews. I perused hundreds of used-car ads and dozens of auction listings. I scoured the web, compared models, analyzed valuations, etc.
My search eventually brought me here, where I first realized how extensive the J30 "following" actually is.
Ultimately, I developed new searching criteria based on my investigation. I decided that I wanted a 95 or later, preferably with between 70-100K (or less) miles. I only had about $8,000 to spend, mind you.
Since I live in the Northeast, I found few local listings of quality. RWD, it seems, has really become passe because of the icy winters. Nevertheless, I monitored the new listings daily and kept checking ebay for new auctions.
After 2 months, I finally thought I had found my car only a mile away from me. Like the first one I had seen locally, it was that beautiful reflective silver, 1995, with 90K mi. The dealer wanted $7,495, but alas, the car had issues. I took a pass.
About 3 weeks ago, I found another 95, this time titanium-colored (a dull silver), and only 72K miles, listing on ebay and located only 50 miles from me! When I checked carfax, it turned out the vehicle had spent its first 50K miles in Florida.
I watched the bidding inch toward $6,000 (which I thought was a nice bargain) but then, with less than a day left in the auction, I found that which would ultimately be mine. The auction ended at $6,200. I never placed a bid.
What I found was a brand new listing on autotrader. It was located only 80 miles away from me, and was too good to pass up: a dark-green (almost black) 1997 J30 (beige interior) with - get this - only 33K miles. It was the lowest mileage I'd seen in two months of searching. The only thing more incredible was the price: $11,000. Yeah, more than I wanted to spend, but it's basically a brand new car!
So I went down for a test drive and it was absolutely stunning, a real cream-puff. Perfect exterior, perfect interior. "Like-new" condition throughout. The engine was so clean it looked like it had never been driven. And the performance? Unbelievable. Like a brand new Nissan 300ZX! Simply a cut-above.
The book on this car is between $14-16K, slightly more if certified. According to carfax, this car had only 2000 miles on it when it was first titled in 1999.
I was overjoyed. I gave them a deposit on the spot and retrieved it later on that week.
Now I finally know the day-to-day joy of J30 ownership. In my opinion the car is unique among the Japanese imports in that it combines elements of a gritty sports car (complete with throaty engine and nimble handling), with the refined opulence and comfort of a luxury sedan; even its design, while inspired and refined, is also sporty and aggressive.
From the little things (auto tint mirror, heated seats, driver lumbar support, premium stereo, plush leather etc.) to the big things (braking, handling, safety, reliability, and acceleration), the J30 is first-rate across the board. Then again, I guess I'm preaching to the choir right?
One other thing: there aren't too many J's on the road in my region, so I'm also enjoying an added individuality bonus whenever I'm out and about.
All in all, I couldn't be happier with my new purchase. No buyer's remorse here...
Again, thank you all for contributing to my present happiness. I'm certain that my new J will provide me with years of driving pleasure.
atrain73, welcome to a rather exclusive club, and congratulations on a great choice in vehicles. I'm sure you'll continue to enjoy it for many years. By the way, if you do have to take your car in in for service, most dealers will still provide you with a loaner to drive. Living in the northeast, be very careful driving in the snow or on ice. The rear wheel drive is a real challenge in those conditions. Enjoy!!
I have just purchased a J30 (1994) and have been browsing the comments. I also live in the Washington, DC area and work in Tysons Corner, so when you mentioned a service center in Tysons that repaired your radio, I took notice. The entire radio system in the car I just bought does not work (no power). The previous owners were not the original owners, but still not very forthcoming about the problem - the gentleman tried to locate the problem on his own, but wasn't successful and never took it any further. Unfortunately, the previous owners misplaced the owners manual, so any suggestions for sources other than the dealer would be helpful also. This car seems to have quite a few functions on it, but without the manual I feel totally lost (locating the fuel cover release took a few minutes). Because the car is in need of emission testing, I have scheduled an appointment at a dealership located in Tysons, but would like an alternative source for problems like the stereo system. I think this vehicle also has an intermittent short in the climate control display (for lack of a better description). When I initially went to see the car, everything lit up. Today, when I picked it up, the fan (and heat) worked, but there was no display. Any thoughts?
Hey everyone, I also am a new owner(5 months ago) of a 1997 J30 and I love it. The car rides wonderful and here in Texas the snow and ice conditions don't apply. I found mine online and called the infiniti dealer ship here in town and they gave me the complete background on the car and even faxed it over, I then called the previous owner and wife who verified what a great car it was and if not for needing to entertain clients that had to sit in the back(the only real uncomfortable spot for adults), they would have kept it around. I've owned Honda's for ever and was in a wreck and in kind of a tight spot when I came across this car, I decided to take a chance on an older higher mileage vehicle, and I'm glad I did. I've never driven a car of this price or standard before and I'm glad I've had the opportunity to find out what a joy this car is. Just put new tires on it and I'm riding in class now, hope to be discussing the J30 for along time with everyone here Keith
Enjoy your J-30! I have two, a 93' and a 97'. I really think this car is a well kept secret, which is good because we can get a good price on the used ones! It was ahead of it's time.
I paid $7600 and the pink slip was still in the glove box($35,000). My mom is now looking at used infiniti's like the I-30 since she fell in love with mine, so much for the caddy.
I don't think that's it normal to have a few oil spots on the ground from my car, if it is normal for a higher mileage J30 let me know. I've only changed the oil once, so I'm gonna give it another pretty soon and look around down there, any info would help, it's not using oil.
You climate control lights - the dashboard dimmer switch on the J30, on the dash left of the steering wheel is the problem. Try, banging on the dimmer switch a few times, your dashboard lights should work again. You may eventually have to replace this.
Stereo - Ahh, the old stereo problem. It cost me $330 to get the stereo fixed on my old '93 J30t. $250 flat rate and $80 labor for the jackasses to remove the stereo from the dash. On my wife's '94 J30, the stereo is out and I haven't had the desire to spend another $330. Someone in this forum said it was a bad connection to the power so maybe you can get someone else to fix it beside the dealer. Sucks too because the stereo is awesome on the J30, especially the 94-97 models.
MY WIFE TOTALED OUR 300TE MERC WAGON.........AND I FOUND THIS 93 J30 T ..........I USED SOME LOWER OCTANE GAS AND I NOTICED THE CAR SHAKING, KIND OF A SHIMY WHEN I ACCELERATED ..ALSO AT A STOP THE WHOLE CAR SHOOK........I HAVE BEEN USING NOTHING BUT THE HIGHEST GRADE OF PETROL LATELY AND I THINK THE PROBLEM IS DISSAPATING. IS THE LOWER GRADE GAS THE CULPRIT OR IS IT SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS?.KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED IN LOUISVILLE
Just bought a new headlight relay to fix the ongoing flickering headlight problem. Can't seem to slide the old one out. Any ideas ? I am sure I need to remove the bottom pins by releasing the clips holding each into the relay. But how does the relay itself slide out ?
After two bleeding knuckles (and a bit of silent cursing), the old one is still in there.
I am an original owner of a 1993 J30. As will happen, the Bose system finally died several months back. Rather than going through the expense of trying to fix it,I purchased a new Alpine system. A good bit has happened with technology since the old Bose systems were made such as the ability to play MP3. Although I am generally a stickler for keeping everything original, I am pleased I made the change. Also the Alpine system fits well with the dash board although I did lose the cassette player. But, I never used it in the nearly ten years I've had the car. Long and short of it is that the Bose systems do die and when they do it's rather simple to just buy something new to replace it. Costs? I bought an mid to upper range unit and paid about $500 installed.
I got a check engin light on on my 96' J30. The error code is read as 'EGR mal-function'. I planned to clean the EGR valve by myself at first, but I could not allocate it. Could someone shed some light on it?
Could you tell me how to get error code off the check engine light. I had it come on several times and when it does, the car starts shaking. Thank you in advance, Alex
Hi, I have a 99 I30 with keyless entry and just bought a 95 J30 that did not come with remote fob. My question: Does anybody know if I can reprogram one of my fobs to work on the J30? How do I reprogram a 99 fob to work on the 95 J? Thanks!
I have a 93 that the dash light is not working on. When the problem first started (2 yrs ago) I could tap on the dimmer switch and they would come on, now I have nothing. Is there a bulb or is it the switch? If it is the switch how much $$$ and time am I looking at?
I bought a J30 with 69K miles a few months ago. Car runs great most of the time, a real pleasure to drive. I do have one problem though. 1 out of every 3-4 days the tranny has problems shifting out of first gear....it winds to 4K to 5K RPMs and won't shift. This happens mostly in the mornings.
I took the car to a local (and reputable) tranny shop and they said the tranny was not sending out any error messages, nor could they duplicate the problem. They serviced the tranny with new fluid, filter and additive. They suspect a stuck valve that the additive will cure. It is supposed to take 8-10 hours of driving to fix. I'm on hour 6 right now and had the problem yesterday...
Has anyone else experienced such problems? Any advice? The tranny runs great 98% of the time, shifts like a dream. I think the tranny shop may be right but still wanted to get the boards opinion.
I had same problem with my 94 J30 recently. I only had it once, and it never happened again. I'm interesed to know if transmission service fixed it, so let me know, if you have time. J30 is a nice car, but I had several problems with mine after 70k ( I have 86k now). First, sunroof refuses to open when it's really hot, had to go to a shop and pay $400, and it still did not fix it. Second, if you ever have vibrations at highway speeds, have your tires balanced, it usually helps. The other thing to look out for is a timing belt. Even if you have low milage but your car is old, you might want to check and see if it's in good condition (at least that's what the mechanic told me)
alesksd1: Mine is a '94 J30 also. I am driving on hour 8 after the service and haven't had the tranny problem for three days. Hopefully, it is solved. I'll keep you updated. As a precautionary measure you might consider adding an additive to your tranny during your next service.
Also, thanks for the tip on the timimg belt. My car has 70K right now, so I suspect I should have this checked.
We are debating a purchase of a '93 J30t. The radio is not working, we have asked them to fix this as part of the deal. The interior looks like a new car and the car seems to run well. It has approx. 100,000 miles. We don't have much info on the history of the car, although it looks well maintained. However, after reading the message board, I am beginning to wonder if this is a good used car to buy. What problems are common for the '93 J30t? Is it comparable with a Lexus engine? We have two Lexus and have not had to put too much into keeping the engines maintained. Is the Infiniti a maintaince headache?
I have a 93' J-30 with 112k miles, and the only major work has been for timing belt replacement at 60k miles. I will replace it again at 120k miles. Occasionally it will idle rough, and I think the throttle body may need cleaning or an injector has to be replaced. Otherwise it's been a very good car.
Comments
I have a 93 J30 - have owned it since 4/01. These are problems I've had and the remedies I've undertaken:
1) Sunroof leaked - bought new seal ($60) from dealer and had an aftermarket sunroof shop install it for $115 (thought that was worth it rather than do on my own).
2) Bose power went out completely - got lucky - called a car stereo store in Tysons Corner, VA. They told me it is common occurrence - seems the solder on the wiring simply comes loose over time and they re-attach it ($240 including cleaning/re-conditioning) so it won't happen again. Really lucky because the dealer had told me I would have to replace at cost of $2500 - no thanks!!!
3) Error message on CD's - it's the heat and humidity. Oddly enough, it is even mentioned in the owners manual. #1 - try using a cleaning kit to clean the laser head - that will help. #2 - if cds are hot, try holding "play" side of cd in front of the a/c for a few seconds, then place in the player - works for me in hot/humid Wash D.C. area.
4)Doors lock on their own (even while car is running and you just got out to run back inside for something at your friend's house) - carry the spare valet key in your wallet or another pocket so IT WON'T BURN YOU TWICE. Otherwise, check the former posts about getting new parts.
5)I've had problems with my a/c in that it will run fine for about an hour and then just seems to quit although blower will still be on - my only remedy is to wait a few minutes and then it will function normally again for another hour - I suspect it is a thermostat - I live with it because I'm rarely in it for long trips.
6)Headlights flicker on/off on their own - come to this site BEFORE you spend $200+ having the mechanic blindly tell you he's not sure what it is and that he'll try a new switch to see if that works (it doesn't) because my good friends here tell me it's the relay.
Looks like I've had all/most of the problems described here, but I STILL LOVE THE CAR.
Good luck to everyone. I'll be back when next problem arises.
I have just purchased a 1993 J30 with 75,000km (about 42,000 miles) on it for a very reasonable price. It is in immaculate shape and I'm very pleased with the vehicle. I do have a couple of questions ... my J30 has heated seats (driver and passenger) along with dual airbags. This seems a little odd since the 93 apparently did not come with these options. It has a four speaker system. Any ideas?
thanx for the info. that explains it. was hoping that i might have had a "tweener" since the 93 model years were produced in 92 and wouldn't have to change the timing belt so soon. do you know if it is possible to add a couple of tweeters to the existing Bose setup?
I'm not sure if you can just add it to the existing setup, though... I never really pursued it.
Good luck w/ your car and make sure you keep your fuel injectors clean!
again, thanx for the info. i don't believe that i will pursue that option ... i may take it to an independent "aftermarket" place that a friend recommended. excuse my ignorance of these things, but what is the best way to keep the injectors clean.
I had a hard start one morning and took the much appreciated advice of one of the previous messages (that was it was a normal condition when the vehicles are started and stopped in the cold in rapid succession, which was the case, unburned fuel in the combustion chambers causing a "flood" condition by the ECU. If you experience this, I would suggest before throwing parts at it, to do a fuel filter, make sure you're using only premium fuel, and the 10 dollar bottle of cleaner. I bought the most expensive cleaner from the cheapest place with another fuel additive to lubricate the injectors as well.
This forum is probably the best way to get advice on your cars because it contains intelligent people who take their cars to Infiniti dealerships all over the U.S. or have knowledge based on other backgrounds.
Working in a dealership I realized it was impossible to be right all the time, but they expected you to be. Also, "I don't know" or "The manufacturer doesn't have a fix for it yet" doesn't go over well with people who are paying out about 50 grand for a car. To all of you I would advise to be patient with the dealers and their mechanics because the mechanics are trying to make a living trying to find your little annoying rattles and noises when new (and like me,even when old), and highly sophisticated problems when old. If you think about it, each part of your car is designed by a highly intelligent Japanese guy with an office full of degrees and certificates. While your entire car is worked on by a guy with probably no degree and a tool box full of tools that probably exceeds the amount of money you paid for your used j30 ($6000) that he has to pay for on top of making a living for himself.
I worked on Cadillacs and Hondas for a year and nearly took a job at the Infiniti dealership. I'm glad I didn't especially after reading the message left by the guy who was unhappy about his Q45 in beverly hills, that the transmission apparently had a downshifting problem. It was apparently unsuccessfuly diagnosed as the transmission control module (he said the transmission brain)and he said accelerator pedal, but I'm sure he didn't know that there is probably an accelerator pedal postion sensor that the mechanic felt could be causing the issue. The truth being that the guy was probably expecting corvette performance out of his luxury sedan, but at the price, perhaps they could have a special package for these guys and put twin turbos on them, just a thought.
Anyways I love my puney 200 horsepower j30 that really performs quite well. I'm glad that all the people who bought these cars to begin with didn't appreciate the wonderful styling and precision engineering that went into it because I picked mine up for cheap. We all on this site know the difference and quality between true dual exhaust and a cheap y pipe. I don't blame Infiniti for selling the I30 in place of the J30. If only they made it shinier would rich Americans think it better.
They said " it was the J that established the Infiniti as the coolest of the Japanese brands, imaginative in form as well as mechanically superb. It had 4 wheel ABS brakes, speed sensitive steering, a limited slip differential, and the touring models offered 4 wheel steering. With a DOHC 24 valve V-6 derived from the 300ZX, the J-30 also had plenty of scoot."
It's a great value for the money. Not a lot of people are aware of how much car you can get for the money with the J. They originally sold in the high $30k.
All things being equal, which ones below is the best deal:
'95 J30, black/tan, 77k for $8000
'95 J30, black/gray 68k for $11900
'97 J30, black/gray 84k for $13000
These are all 'asking' prices. Is it a coicidence that these are all the same color?
What do y'all think? I'm leaning towards the $8000 one.
JP
I have a question about the leather, I had a friend not thump his cigarette out and it landed in the back seat and burnt a hole the size of a quarter in the seat. Any thoughts or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
I have experienced some of the problems that are mentioned on this board, but nothing terribly expensive that prompts to to say the car is not worth fixing. To the contrary, at this mileage, I'm surprised it has never cost too much to repair in any year to prompt me to trade - and the local Infiniti dealer is the sole service provider (other than tires).
I was wondering if anyone has much higher mileage and if you could share you repair experience as to what problems to expect and cost of repair. Please include any information as to level of maintenance if possible. I would also gladly share my experience with anyone who is interested in repair, maintenance or other issues.
I too wish that Infiniti would sell a "new" J. I looked at the new M45 and my first reaction was "butt ugly" but the looks are growing on me. I hear its really a hot-rod luxury sedan. Any input on that would also be appreciated.
Thank you and happy motoring!
Thanks for the tip on the G,though.
Also, up until about 6 months ago my trunk used to release on it's own while driving for no reason. This was extremely annoying as well, going down the road, looking in my rear view mirror just to see my trunk flying in the wind. This use to happen about once every month or so and ever since I found a wiring connector submerged in water at the right rear side of the engine compartment (exactly opposite the head lamp relay) that I poked a hole through the protective cover that held water, it has not happened now for 6 months or so. I was also wondering if anyone has had or has this problem and if they have fixed this in the same manner. Although it's been a long time since this has happened, I still catch myself looking in my rear view mirror fearing that my trunk is open. I don't have an electrical schematic for this car and I really want to buy one that way I can have some sort of confidence in these repairs. But until then any input or feedback will be appreciated.
bulbs. Clearly, I don't know a lot about cars (learning more all the
time)... i believe that 9006 are low beams, but I have also seen the
designation H5 ... can anyone help me understand what the difference
is. I'm in Canada, and haven't been able to source the sylvania
silverstar bulbs locally, however, i can get PIAA bulbs. which bulb
is the most recommended for this vehicle. I know there are
superwhites, x-treme whites, plasma gt, but i'm uncertain which one
would be the most appropriate. is there a feeling on whether the
silverstar bulbs are "better" than the PIAA. On a different subject,
I'm also considering purchasing a dash kit. Any recomendations? Help
is much appreciated. thanx.
You might find the answer to your other question at
http://infinitihelp.com/Infiniti/index.htm
It says it right on the cap, if you open the hood.
The timing belt everyone is so afraid of is with good reason. When my cars odometer read 90,000 miles (of which the odometer probably has been tampered with and has probably many more miles) there came a curious noise from the timing belt area. I then went to Infiniti and bought a timing belt, tb tensioner, 3 drive belts, upper and lower radiator hose, thermostat and water pump with nissan sealer. All coming to just under $400. I put all of this on myself and discovered the old tb tensioner had bearings in it that were all ground up making the noise. So the point to all this is that if I just turned my radio up and waited to the 105,000 miles I probably would have been replacing the motor instead of just doing the maintenance. But, like I said, the car probably has many more miles on it than the odometer reads-I bought the car from a sleazy used car lot. The only thing I didn't do was replace the cam seals (4) and the crank seal which I hope will hold out until it reads 150000. Even as I invited the parts guy to sell me all he had, he forgot to mention them to me. It's all of this and the cam seals that drives up the dealers cost to the $2000 mark that is notoriously spoken of on this site (it is worth it though because if only half of it is done, none of it's worth doing). I confirmed it myself and that's what Infiniti of Nashville asks for as well. I wouldn't go to the trouble of having just the belt replaced because when I replaced mine, the belt was actually in good condition, only the tensioner was about to bite it. I'm also going to replace the idler pulley between the 4 cams at 150,000 miles even though the the parts guy at Infiniti didn't recommend it and didn't stock it.
&;About the window regulators and window motors I know this. (If anyone has stayed awake or even bothered to have read thus far). The door panels are rather simple to remove. First pry up gently with a flat bladed tool on the small inner door handle trim piece, the power windows trim piece, and (I think) the power mirrors trim piece (I think, but it has been a while and if so would only apply to the drivers door). There may be a screw hidden under it as well. There are either 2 or 3 screws under those trim pieces (one of which is secured w/a tremendous amount of torque) and about 4 across the bottom with little trim pieces on them. After the 6 or 7 screws are out the door panel will come off by pulling straight out releasing the pushpins. Take care not to damaging anything-it's easy to. The regulator track is easily accessible to lubricate with lithium grease or something that would last a little longer than wd-40 (since after you have done this once, it's nothing you're going to feel like doing every few months). This is a pain but the window regulators cost about $100 (of which I have replaced one) and the motors I hear are over $300. I have 2 bad window motors on my car of which I switched the front right and back right around to regain use of my front pass window. I refuse to pay the 300 bucks for the motors especially when all that is wrong with it is the plastic gear inside that has been striped out by the metal worm gear-hence the reason for the trouble of keeping the window regulator lubed...I normally spare no expence on my car to keep it running and looking good but I think I would have trouble paying the $600 for window motors if even I was rich. So I leave them disconnected and unoperable.
I know that there are quite a few people more knowlegeable than I of these vehicles that visit this site. I have put a lot down in a short amount of time so any revisions would be appreciated. This is my mere 5 years of aviation and automotive mechancal inclination speaking, and I also would not recommend replacing the timing belt yourself if not done precisely by a timing belt or dealer service manual, it can result in extensive engine damage. I sometimes take for granted that everyone is like me and enjoys getting their hands dirty and the risk of destroying their car's motor. I replaced my timeing belt myself w/out a manual but w/a little common sense. I now have a dealer service manual for the car and it goes in to a fairly elaborate way of making sure the belt is put on right. (If there is a notch too much of slack between the crank shaft and camshaft there probably will be a valve to piston clash-I'm not sure of this but wouldn't like to be the first to test that theory, the manual does caution it though).
Well, since I love my J and can live with the despicable downfalls of the Q (no integrated cell phone), I'm asking if any one here could offer any "down to earth" advice on which "pre-owned" or practically "used" model Q would be the best. Not trying to start a new forum or anything, but would like a Q to compliment my J. And I wouldn't say that anywhere but on this site. I only own an Infiniti because it's cheaper to maintain than most domestic low end and high end vehicles that don't even give the false "success like" image. So, as I tell my friends, it's just practical. I learned from this site that the 95-97 J's were the best. I would agree since I seen a lot more problems than most have out of my 94' J, which are dwarfed by any domestic car I've owned, worked on, or known others around me to own. So, let me have it, to Q or not to Q, that is the question.
Although I've never posted here before, I have read every single message in the J30 discussion. Most of you are passionate, devout J30 afficionados. Your posts are entertaining and informative.
In my own personal used car search, this town-hall forum was instrumental in providing me with a thorough working knowledge of the J's model history, known-defects, servicing concerns, performance expectations, price valuations, and general quirks. Indeed, you all helped me immensely in finding the right J30 for the right price.
I am very appreciative to all who have posted, and am very proud to be a member of the 'J-Club.'
Here's my story:
When I initially started my search for a used car last fall, the J30 wasn't even in my sights. I "discovered" what I eventually came to consider the most intriguing of all Infinity models to date when it popped up on a local search.
Although I ultimately found the J30 in question to be already sold (it was a Silver 1993 with 120K mi.), just seeing it in person on the lot was enough to hook me.
From that point on, I avidly researched the car. I read numerous reviews. I perused hundreds of used-car ads and dozens of auction listings. I scoured the web, compared models, analyzed valuations, etc.
My search eventually brought me here, where I first realized how extensive the J30 "following" actually is.
Ultimately, I developed new searching criteria based on my investigation. I decided that I wanted a 95 or later, preferably with between 70-100K (or less) miles. I only had about $8,000 to spend, mind you.
Since I live in the Northeast, I found few local listings of quality. RWD, it seems, has really become passe because of the icy winters. Nevertheless, I monitored the new listings daily and kept checking ebay for new auctions.
After 2 months, I finally thought I had found my car only a mile away from me. Like the first one I had seen locally, it was that beautiful reflective silver, 1995, with 90K mi. The dealer wanted $7,495, but alas, the car had issues. I took a pass.
About 3 weeks ago, I found another 95, this time titanium-colored (a dull silver), and only 72K miles, listing on ebay and located only 50 miles from me! When I checked carfax, it turned out the vehicle had spent its first 50K miles in Florida.
I watched the bidding inch toward $6,000 (which I thought was a nice bargain) but then, with less than a day left in the auction, I found that which would ultimately be mine. The auction ended at $6,200. I never placed a bid.
What I found was a brand new listing on autotrader. It was located only 80 miles away from me, and was too good to pass up: a dark-green (almost black) 1997 J30 (beige interior) with - get this - only 33K miles. It was the lowest mileage I'd seen in two months of searching. The only thing more incredible was the price: $11,000. Yeah, more than I wanted to spend, but it's basically a brand new car!
So I went down for a test drive and it was absolutely stunning, a real cream-puff. Perfect exterior, perfect interior. "Like-new" condition throughout. The engine was so clean it looked like it had never been driven. And the performance? Unbelievable. Like a brand new Nissan 300ZX! Simply a cut-above.
The book on this car is between $14-16K, slightly more if certified. According to carfax, this car had only 2000 miles on it when it was first titled in 1999.
I was overjoyed. I gave them a deposit on the spot and retrieved it later on that week.
Now I finally know the day-to-day joy of J30 ownership. In my opinion the car is unique among the Japanese imports in that it combines elements of a gritty sports car (complete with throaty engine and nimble handling), with the refined opulence and comfort of a luxury sedan; even its design, while inspired and refined, is also sporty and aggressive.
From the little things (auto tint mirror, heated seats, driver lumbar support, premium stereo, plush leather etc.) to the big things (braking, handling, safety, reliability, and acceleration), the J30 is first-rate across the board. Then again, I guess I'm preaching to the choir right?
One other thing: there aren't too many J's on the road in my region, so I'm also enjoying an added individuality bonus whenever I'm out and about.
All in all, I couldn't be happier with my new purchase. No buyer's remorse here...
Again, thank you all for contributing to my present happiness. I'm certain that my new J will provide me with years of driving pleasure.
Warmest regards,
ATrain
Living in the northeast, be very careful driving in the snow or on ice. The rear wheel drive is a real challenge in those conditions.
Enjoy!!
This car seems to have quite a few functions on it, but without the manual I feel totally lost (locating the fuel cover release took a few minutes).
Because the car is in need of emission testing, I have scheduled an appointment at a dealership located in Tysons, but would like an alternative source for problems like the stereo system. I think this vehicle also has an intermittent short in the climate control display (for lack of a better description). When I initially went to see the car, everything lit up. Today, when I picked it up, the fan (and heat) worked, but there was no display. Any thoughts?
I've owned Honda's for ever and was in a wreck and in kind of a tight spot when I came across this car, I decided to take a chance on an older higher mileage vehicle, and I'm glad I did. I've never driven a car of this price or standard before and I'm glad I've had the opportunity to find out what a joy this car is. Just put new tires on it and I'm riding in class now, hope to be discussing the J30 for along time with everyone here
Keith
Enjoy your J-30! I have two, a 93' and a 97'. I really think this car is a well kept secret, which is good because we can get a good price on the used ones! It was ahead of it's time.
Thanks, Keith
Stereo - Ahh, the old stereo problem. It cost me $330 to get the stereo fixed on my old '93 J30t. $250 flat rate and $80 labor for the jackasses to remove the stereo from the dash. On my wife's '94 J30, the stereo is out and I haven't had the desire to spend another $330. Someone in this forum said it was a bad connection to the power so maybe you can get someone else to fix it beside the dealer. Sucks too because the stereo is awesome on the J30, especially the 94-97 models.
I have a 93' with 103K miles and it's never leaked oil. My 97' with 45K miles hasn't leaked either (knock on wood).
I've always used Mobil1 10w-30.
After two bleeding knuckles (and a bit of silent cursing), the old one is still in there.
http://infinitihelp.com/Infiniti/index.htm
They might be able to help you locate the EGR valve.
check engine light. I had it come on several times and when it does, the car starts shaking.
Thank you in advance,
Alex
J
I took the car to a local (and reputable) tranny shop and they said the tranny was not sending out any error messages, nor could they duplicate the problem. They serviced the tranny with new fluid, filter and additive. They suspect a stuck valve that the additive will cure. It is supposed to take 8-10 hours of driving to fix. I'm on hour 6 right now and had the problem yesterday...
Has anyone else experienced such problems? Any advice? The tranny runs great 98% of the time, shifts like a dream. I think the tranny shop may be right but still wanted to get the boards opinion.
I'm interesed to know if transmission service fixed it, so let me know, if you have time.
J30 is a nice car, but I had several problems with mine after 70k ( I have 86k now). First, sunroof refuses to open when it's really hot, had to go to a shop and pay $400, and it still did not fix it. Second, if you ever have vibrations at highway speeds, have your tires balanced, it usually helps. The other thing to look out for is a timing belt. Even if you have low milage but your car is old, you might want to check and see if it's in good condition (at least that's what the mechanic told me)
Also, thanks for the tip on the timimg belt. My car has 70K right now, so I suspect I should have this checked.
Occasionally it will idle rough, and I think the throttle body may need cleaning or an injector has to be replaced. Otherwise it's been a very good car.