Infiniti FX Owners Forum (The Org)

After pampering and upgrading my fx for the last couple of weeks. The fx decides to start sputtering on me while on the way to getting new tires.

At first, it seemed like the sparkplugs were mis-firing, but then the fx would continue on the road. and then suddenly shut itself off. i would soon have to pull over to the side to put her back in park. and then restart. after getting the new tires installed. while on the way over to buddies shop for an oil change, the same thing happpened again and i noticed the vehicle displayed "VDC OFF", "SLIP", and "SERVICE ENGINE SOON". While at the shop my buddy ran the computer diagnostic which came up with a code that read - Camshaft position Sensor-

I got a quote from the dealership - $71.23
i was happy to get the part # from the SA - 237316J906

i just checked everythinginfiniti.com - $53.20

Would anybody happen to know how to replace this thing. ohh...
labor itself is $217.00 at the dealership.

any advice would be helpful and appriciated.

You sure it ain't a belt, after upgrading?

Did you try resetting the ecm? What did you do to the car?

which belts?

the only upgrades i've been doing are visual upgrades. i did run a computer diagnotics test.

i just got all new belts a few months ago. thx

i installed hyper whites for the interior lights, replaced the daytime running lights (7443), a wax, i began on a project for the ikey, but never fininshed.

thats it.

the ecm? is the unit you reset after you run the diagnotics. if so yes, "service engine soon" went away and then the sputtering came back and of course so did the "service engine soon" light.

Do you have the code? (pXXXX)

(pXXXX) is for the ecm right? how do i get to that menu?

i take it you don't think that the camshaft pos. sensor.

let me tell the whole story of when this "service engine soon" light came on. I was just pulling up to a coffee shop, but i had to park the fx in an awkward place. i was driving paralel to the curb, on that curb was the city's water drainage sytem- that's what i scraped my tires up against. then, my tire sensor pressure was ringing. i knew exactly what happened, so i sat in front of starbucks having coffee and putting on my spare. once i drove off immediately something didn't feel right. besides having the spare on, it was also sputtering then too, and of course the instrument cluster were lit up:SLIP, VDC OFF, Service Engine.

I most certainly suspect the electronics have been buggin' out since. so your remedy is to reset the ecm.

your probably gonna have to write... Wait! the Search tool.

Have an 04 'FX35 - last week went in to get oil change and new tires. The next day I got the "VDC OFF", "SLIP" and "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" lights on. I don't know if the two events are related (but, was interesting that you experienced this after having a tire issue).

I think it has something to do with the camshaft sensor as that was what the dealer indicated. They also indicated that it might be a sprocket that is stuck. But their recommendation was for out right replacing the camshafts. Overall, the car seems to be running fine. Just curious what ended up resolving the problem?

You know this thread is about 2 yrs old right? Someone else recently had the camshaft position sensor problem and had it fixed... it was doing the same thing as the OP's FX... driving along at any speed and then the engine would just cut out... turn off the engine, turn it on and it would start again (sensor would reset but was probably still glitchy) but the engine would randomly shut off... after he replaced the sensor, everything was fine...

For anyone using the search function and finding this thread. Always get the codes read and given to you whether it be from the dealership or from a local parts store (they will often read your OBD codes from your computer free of charge). Once you have the codes you can diagnose or get help diagnosing the problem. You will find code information at OBD-Codes.com or, if you are a member, at Infinitihelp.com.

http://www.obd-codes.com/

http://www.infinitihelp.com/diy/obd_cod ... hart_2.htm

So thought I'd check back with the resolution.

After taking this to the local dealer, they determined that it was the camshaft sprockets that were the issue. They were going to charge $1,083 to change the sprockets, but told me that this may or may not work and it would be my decision to do the repair. They followed up by saying that if it didn't work, then we would have to change the camshafts for $5,000. When I told them to just give me the car back, their final recommendation was "maybe just to drive it real hard and whatever is stuck will become unstuck."???

Well, then I found this thread. Got the car back, had the independent shop have a look at, turns out it was just the sensor. For a fraction of the cost, had the sensor replaced and the car has been running fine ever since. Thanks to the OP and DatMan for the comments and confirmation!

That dealership is on crack... if they didn't know what was the actual problem, they should always start with the sensors first (cheapest fix) and then work their way up... gotta love those F***ers... glad both of you got your problems fixed!

Hello Everyone,

I just had the same thing happen to me couple of days ago.
I try resetting the ECM as suggested on the other posts.
But the SES, SLIP, And VDC OFF light came back on after driving for about 20 minutes.
The car would get a little hesitation and the lights back come on.
After a Restart the car the SES would be the only light but after driving for 20-30 mins. a little hesitation and the SLIP, VDC OFF comes back on as well.
I just put a ODB to it and got the following Error Code

P0345
Camshaft Position
Sensor A - Bank 2
Circuit Malfunction.

The Mechanic at the tire shop next to me told me it was a Oxygen Sensor and it should be easy to replace.
Please let me know if that correct and any suggestion would be much appreciated.

I dont get it

And this means the O2 sensor how????

Well tell me what it means then.
I order the part today and i should have it by Thursday.
Will report if it fixed the problem.

BTW: The part was order via the P0345 Error Code so that should be correct, Left Side. Bank 2 is the left side / driver side of the car right?

Well I can tell you a Camshaft position sensor code does not mean change the Oxygen sensor. And I'm no rocket scientist.

Are you sure there isnt a wiring problem and its definitely the sensor? I mean before you buy something that may not fix it (not sure how much it is). Probably a safe bet though. Did you check the service manual to see what the diagnosis pocedure is when you get that code?

+1... I agree with johnmax... I don't know how a problem with your camshaft position would affect an O2 sensor... there are camshaft timing sensors and would think that one of them would be the problem... not an O2 sensor...

My mistake, words must gotten lost in translation.
Maybe he said it was like a O2 sensor.
Your right it's pretty obvious it's the Camshaft Senor, it clearly said it in the error code.

Another question, how hard is it to replace the sensor? Is it something i can do myself or should i pay someone to do it for me?

If you are fairly handy with working on your car the job is not to hard. The hard part is getting to it. It comes out with a 10mmsocket to remove the bolt and you have to unplug the sensor. It is located at the back of the engine on top of the valve cover. Be careful with it don't bang or drop it. I'm surprised it went bad usually it's the crank angle sensor that has problems.Did you erase the code to see if it came back?

Thank you for the information.
Yes i did erase the code and it came back.
My car shut off on me yesterday, as i was stop at a light.
My part should be in by today and will try to get it done today.
Don't want the car shutting off on me while i am driving. Scary thought.

Thank you All for the replies and help.

I'm very surprised that the car shut off. It should have gone into safe mode or ran crappy off the crank postion sensor phich is the primary one. Oh well good luck with the install.

I'm pretty sure this is the 3rd FX that I've heard of that had a problem with the camshaft area... and all of them displayed the same symptoms... even the engine shutting off while driving... if I knew I had this problem with one of my cars, I would NOT be driving it until it was repaired... too dangerous...

a friend of mine has an 2001 Infiniti I30 and it's showing the "slip / service engine soon / tcs off " lights. guess I'll point him to this similar diagnostic. great info! and hopefully saves him the time.

Replace the CamShaft Sensor yesterday and everything is running fine now.
It was a little difficult to find and get to but got it done eventually.
Had to remove Intake holes, Throttle body and some holes to get to the sensor but it wasn't that bad.
The hardiest part was figuring out how to remove the sensor from the Clip.. didn't want to force and break anything, after 20+ mins of scratching my head finally got it out. It was so simple to get it out, just squeeze the release with a needle nose and it pop right out.
Drove 30 Mins home yesterday and drove to work today and everything is WELL....

Thank you ALL for your HELP. I love this forum, everyone is so helpful.

Glad everything worked out.