Electrical Issues - Random Dashboard Lights On - AC on/off - Abnormal Shifting

Y

yulolimum

Member
Location
Portland, OR
Hi all!

To begin, I've used the search for this but couldn't find anything related. If I missed something, please tell me to search again :)

Preamble:
FX35 2005 with around 113k miles.
Last electrical work I did was adding an additional power socket to the glove box (1 week ago). The source was the jack from the center console.
Last mechanical work I did was cleaning the MAF and the throttle body (2 weeks ago). After, I followed steps found on this forum to reset the throttle body (since I snapped it shut).

Issue:
Today, while driving to get lunch, my dashboard lights started going on and off randomly. It wasn't a particular light, but all of them and in random patterns. The tachometer would work periodically, would jump around, and then arrow would fall to zero. The AC was off but it turned on and the fan started blowing, again, periodically. Headlights would turn off then on. Basically, anything electrical was turning on and then off. I drove for 3 more miles with this problem and noticed that shifting was very abrupt and jerky, kind of like the common infiniti 2nd to 3rd gear jerk, except aplified 4 or 5 times on every gear.

Here is a video just to see what's going on while in park: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PW82W-mxvo

Are there any pointers for this issue? I dont expect a diagnosis but would love to hear theories. Is it even safe to drive home?
 
Thanks man!

I looked at those wires and they seem intact (it made sense for a second since I was messing with my CAI last weekend).

I am wondering if it has something to do with the power socket that I added, which doesn't make sense since I just pulled all fuses for the power sockets and still no luck.

Btw, my car wont start now at all.
 
best bet will be to take it to a mechanic who has a dealer level scan tool who can do live scan and view of the issue.
Wow wont start, so many things cross my mind; bad fuse, relay, modules or a big fat short somewhere
 
Yea man makes sense! Thanks for your input. My plan of action for this upcoming saturday will be to scan all the fuses, replace the battery, check all cables that I've touched since I got the car, and only then take it to a mechanic. It's also worth mentioning that I had a shop install a remote car starter on my car about a year ago. How this relates? Well, when the key is in the "On" position, the lights and electrical components go nuts. When the key is on "Off" or Radio, I can control the lights and the stereo without issues. Seems to me that it's tied with the ignition.

---------- Post added at 12:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:15 AM ----------

Found this:

https://www.infinitiscene.com/search/1/?q=13886-Huge-Electrical-Problem?

Seems like an ECU issue.
 
No worries.
Wooh remote start? i remember years ago no one wanted to touch my car when i wanted to install a remort starter, they only pointed me to a certified viper tech who wanted to charge me crazy labor fees. I thought he was crazy, but after researching i understood why. Afterall,I wasnt the only one in this situation, apparently the 03+ Infinitis electronics were and probably still are complex and problematic. If something gets messed up during the install it will fry the ecu or mess up electronic components. But you said a year passed by, come to think of it. The installer might of not secured the firefall, where key electronic wires run through and if this area is not well plugged it will get water in and mess up the electronics/ecu. So thats something you can look at.
Man i hope everything works out sad to see your FX acting this way and stress that causes to oneself.

---------- Post added at 12:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:46 AM ----------

just saw your added post and yes as i mentioned check that firefall for water damage
 
Yea man. First thing I'll check tomorrow! Thanks for all the pointers - greatly appreciate it.

I guess I'll have to research this, but are there any physical symptoms of a bad ECU? I'm guessing not but who knows.
 
Today, I went straight to the rubber firewall and, well....

epYNWeU.jpg

The dumbass (me) that poked that hole for the wires forgot to seal it.

I carefully dried the ECU with a heatgun, cleaned the connections, tried to start the car and bam, everything works without any issues.

Thanks to everyone for their input, especially Dracula.
 

Attachments

  • epYNWeU.jpg
    epYNWeU.jpg
    162.6 KB · Views: 14
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top