2011 QX56 Electrical Problem

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amanisofia

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I have a 2011 QX56 with 12000 miles that has left me stranded.

The problem began two weeks ago. When I got into my car there was no power whatsoever to the car, (no interior lights, just like a dead battery). After waiting a few minutes without doing anything other then exiting the car, the power was back and the car started. I did notice that all the settings (ac, seat position) had been reset.

Hoped it was a fluke but it happened again one week later. Exact same problem except this time it had no power for about 10 minutes. Then for no reason the power returned and it started. Again all the settings were reset. I took the car to the infiniti dealer and they kept it for a day. They were of course unable to duplicate the problem so they could not fix it. They contacted infiniti and were told no one else has this problem.

Well three days later my car is dead in a parking lot. Again no power what so ever. This time it wont restart. Had to get it towed back to the dealer. This was on saturday evening. They are going to look at it on Monday. For all you inifiniti owners if your car dies it is very hard to tow, due to lack of a true keyed ignition. We were unable to release the shift lock (as shown in the manual) so they had to drag the car onto the bed of the tow truck.

Hopefully they find out what is wrong with this car. I am very disappointed in my first infiniti. A new car should not leave you stranded. I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem as I am sure I will not be the only one. I did see that the Nissan Patrol had a recall for some electrical issue but it was not suppose to affect the QX56.

I will update when the dealer tells me what is wrong with this car.
 
What was your previous car? I had a similar issue, and it ended up being operator error, though it took a few angry phone calls by me, and a little egg in my face to confirm it.

My wife has a Land Rover, and to shut off the Land Rover, I need to push the ignition button for around 2 seconds, which is my habit.

Turning off the Inifniti by pressing the ignition button for the same 2 seconds, cause the car to shut off, but then the acc to turn on. It is not obvious that this has happened. In this mode, it takes under 40 minutes to run battery completely dead.

Although I have adjusted my habits in the Infiniti, I constantly get out of my wifes Land Rover with the engine still running!
 
My previous car was an acura MDX, 110,000 miles without a problem.

I dont think this is happening because initially the car did restart after being dead. This would imply that the battery is not dead. If I had drained the battery it would not restart until I jump started it.

In the infiniti you only press the button for a split second to shut it off. I am aware that if you press it without stepping on the brake it will go into accesory mode, and then ac mode. This is not what is happening in my car. Thanks for the input. Waiting for the dealer to call me.

Just got a call from the dealer. When they got into it this morning everything in the car was working and it started (they did not have to do anything to it). They were hoping it would not be working so they could diagnose it. With everything working they cannot diagnose it.
I think this phantom electrical problem is probably caused by some fancy electronic module in the car. I am really frustrated, hope I am not the owner of a $60,000 lemon. I do not want to pick the car up and have the problem happen again.

Someone out there must have this problem occuring, or I am the first unlucky owner.
 
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In reference to the battery and the restart: I learned during my experience that the start/battery relationship is a little more unique on the Infiniti. The car is programmed to keep a battery "reserve" for electronics memory and such. So if the battery dies and you need a jump (which I had happen 3 times my first week), you can't just "jump" it. You need to charge the battery beyond the reserve before the engine will turn (this means attaching cables and waiting 20 - 30 min). Prior to that, even though some lights turn on, nothing happens when you press the start button.

If the battery truly dies (completely), you need to tow it to dealer for restart.

Lastly - you don't have to have foot on break to turn engine off (only to start). The only downside to having break depressed while turning engine off, is that it is primed to go into ACC mode.
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Mike thanks for the info. However my problem is not caused by a dead or drained battery. I would like to keep this topic on-thread. If anyone has any input or ideas into my problem it would be appreciated as I think the dealer is not going to be able to fix it.
 
I assume you have tried using the second key fob for a period of time to eliminate the possibility that is the source of the error.
 
No I have not tried using the second key, but what is about the key that would cause a problem like this. Is there some sort of theft deterrent system that completely cuts off power to the entire vehicle. In the manual I could not find anything about a system that completely cuts off the power to the car.

There has to be some system in the car that completely cuts off power to the entire vehicle (just like a dead a battery) and that is probably what is causing this problem. Something in the vehicle is doing this and then after a time resetting itself back to normal.

If they don't do anything to the car and when I get it back I will try the other key to see if the problem continues occuring.
 
I think you need to be pretty agressive with the dealer, or more specifically the service department. You need to spur someone to troubleshoot this with the symtoms you describe. Just because they don't see the problem, don't let them do nothing.

The obvious starting point is the battery and charging systom. Are all the connections on the battery as tight as they should be. Is the battery, or some of the battery cells at fault. Is the alternator charging the battery correctly.

I'm guessing a disconnect of the battery will require a reset of your seat settings. I think that's the clue it's battery/alternator related, or at least the place to start.

When the vehicle is running does the alternator guage show it's delivering 12 or more volts?

Good luck with this, and hopefully you get this sorted out quickly so you can enjoy your QX. Had mine about a month and love it.
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I dont think this is a battery issue because of the symptoms. The car is completely dead, no power anywhere (no interior lights, no door lights, no blinking key light when you enter the car). Then miraculously without doing anything except waiting the power is back and the car starts. This would imply that the battery is working and charged. Of course it is possible that something is making the battery loose its connection to the car intermittently. But I do like how Lexx is thinking, he is trying to solve the issue.

I am a little disappointed that the dealer only wants to reproduce the problem so they can diagnose it. I would hope they would be a little more proactive and forward thinking to solve this problem. Infiniti technical service is not giving them help either. I was hoping someone on here would say "Hey I had that problem and this is how you fix it".
 
One thing you can do to light a fire up their a$$ is to threaten the lemon law. In California, if you take in your brand new car (before 18,000 miles, I believe) more than 4 times for the same issue and the dealer can't fix it, you get your money back or a replacement car.
I had an issue with a '05 G35 way back when. The ABS light would blink intermittently and the ABS would actuate. The first time I took it in, the dealer told me that they could not duplicate (CND) the problem; total bs. On the way back from the dealership, the light came back on and I made a u-turn right back to the dealer! To make the story short, I went back 4 times to the dealer because they kept giving me the run around. On my 4th visit, I waved the CA Lemon Law. That got their attention. They flew in a few techs from Infiniti USA and the problem was fixed.
Keep good records and stay on them. Don't play nice with them, JMO. Just think of all the heartaches and time wasted dealing with this issue. I know what it feels like. I had a MB GL450 that was a mx nightmare.
This is not something I want to hear. I just bought a QX last night and we love it. Good luck!
 
There is a circuit somewhere in the vehicle that reads the battery charge to make sure it is at a certain level before allowing power. As I mentioned, I experienced this a few times while jump starting the car. During the jump, it is as if nothing is happening, and you think the cables are not hooked up - completely dead - then after 5 - 10 minutes, all of a sudden everything comes on as if a switch was just turned on (in other words, there is no "low power", or "trying to start" mode as in other vehicles during a jump). Maybe this circuit is failing, and sometimes reading a low battery, thereby providing no power? Or maybe the battery is bad and hovering right at the level that this circuit reads at?

The second key idea is worth a shot, but even without a key, the dome light and other things turn on when the door is opened.

As a s side comment for other owners, if you ever have to jump start, you must attach the cables for 5 - 10 minutes and wait for the car to come to life prior to starting. Also, you would be shocked at how fast the battery drops below the "provide life" level. Leaving car in ACC mode for 30 minutes will do it!
 
As a new QX owner (about 1 month), this is troubling to here. what dealer are you at. I think these forums are monitored by Infiniti corporate. At least they should be. I would even post a message calling out the dealer for not being more proactive. This is a high end luxery SUV. At least try some things, like change the battery or keep is and drive it for a few days. Intermitant problems are the worst. i think the other poster is correct. Need to put a little more pressure on this dealer!
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Mike seems to make an interesting point about a module that controls power to the car. The dealer seems fixed on the fact that the key wont start the car. I keep telling them that has nothing to do with it. The problem is the whole car has no power and that is why the key is not working.

Does anyone know if the BCM (body control module) could be doing this. It seems like it controls the power to all the systems in the car. Could this be what is cutting off the power to the car. The dealer still has the car and is trying to reproduce the problem which I find unacceptable. As soon as they give us the car back with daily driving I am sure the problem will reoccur and then I am going to loose it.

I am going to call infiniti today to express my utter dissatisfaction in the infiniti brand. This is definitely my first and last infiniti. I hope no else has this problem it is a total nightmare. I am over the mileage in my state for the lemon law otherwise I would definitely go that route.
 
your issue is with the dealer not the car/brand.... I find the infiniti one of the most reliable cars out there; styling is a bit bland on the exterior, but the interior and ride are top notch.
 
Roughyear my issue is definitely with the dealer but much more with the car brand. How does infiniti not get the blame for this. I am sure that the dealer cannot begin replacing expensive electronic components without the ok of infiniti, since when they test the car everything seems to be working.

In addition this is a $ 60,000 infiniti luxury suv that has failed to work after 8 months of ownership and a little over 12000 miles. That is not the dealers fault, that is an infiniti problem. I have always owned honda/acura cars and have achieved over 100,000 miles with no problems other then maintenance.

So this is both a dealer issue but definitely an infiniti quality issue.

Also an update on the issue is the car is still at the dealer trying to recreate the problem and I have contacted infiniti corporate to see if they can get this issue resolved.
 
I didn't realize you had the car for 8 months before the problems. I seem to recall from going through my issue, that the mechanic said they could plug into the car and see everything that has happened - like a black box. I wonder if your dealership has checked that? Are they at least providing you with a demo QX56 in the meantime? I would insist on that at the very least. I'm approaching 8 months and 12,000 miles.....I'm getting a little nervous! Maybe I'll grab one of those emergency battery chargers (http://www.clickerslickers.com/car_battery_charger)!
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Update on this problem :

The dealer kept my car for two weeks and was unable to duplicate this problem. They had been in contact with Infinti tech support through out this time. They did notice that the analog clock was three hours behind of the digital clock and that the heat warmers were activated even though they were not turned on.

As advised I did call Infiniti consumer affairs. This was not much help, it sounded like you were talking to some call center where they were just reading from a script.

The dealer did finally get Infiniti to agree to swap out the BCM (body control module) from a demo vehicle and install it in my car. That's right they were taking the part out of another car and putting it in my car. Infiniti would not pay for a new part since the problem could not be duplicated. It is almost as if they do not believe me when I am telling them what is happening to my car.

The dealer has been nice throughout this ordeal and I cannot blame them. I understand they cannot do anything without Infiniti's approval. However I am totally disappointed by how Infiniti is handling this issue. They had a potential to have a loyal customer, instead this will be my first and last Infiniti purchase.
I hope no one else has to experience this problem with their qx, it is a total nightmare.

If my car fails again I will tow it back to the dealer and will have to involve a lawyer to help enforce the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Again I am totally shocked and disappointed in Infiniti.

After doing my own research I have found that both the Nissan Patrol and Infiniti QX have been recalled in the middle east for a problem with the BCM.
 
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i have a 2011 QX56 with 7,000 miles on it. Owned one in 05 and 07 as well. july 4th weekend, left work on Friday and my car would not start. I had to charge the battery with jumper cables for 10 minutes before i could get the truck started. The battery read 5.2 volts when it was dead. The dealership is telling me there is absolutely nothing wrong with the truck. Before this happened that battery guage always showed steady voltage...ever since it died the battery guages swings all over the place while i am driving it. They are telling me with the 2011 the battery guages moves all over on all of them, that there is nothing wrong...is this true??? Please reply if you have had this problem or if you can verify that all 2011 QX56 battery guages are constantly moving while you are driving...thanks!!!
 
straina said:
i have a 2011 QX56 with 7,000 miles on it. Owned one in 05 and 07 as well. july 4th weekend, left work on Friday and my car would not start. I had to charge the battery with jumper cables for 10 minutes before i could get the truck started. The battery read 5.2 volts when it was dead. The dealership is telling me there is absolutely nothing wrong with the truck. Before this happened that battery guage always showed steady voltage...ever since it died the battery guages swings all over the place while i am driving it. They are telling me with the 2011 the battery guages moves all over on all of them, that there is nothing wrong...is this true??? Please reply if you have had this problem or if you can verify that all 2011 QX56 battery guages are constantly moving while you are driving...thanks!!!
Click to expand...

Mine doesn't. None of them should! Try a different dealership. If they keep giving you the runaround, I'd contact Infiniti USA.
 
straina said:
i have a 2011 QX56 with 7,000 miles on it. Owned one in 05 and 07 as well. july 4th weekend, left work on Friday and my car would not start. I had to charge the battery with jumper cables for 10 minutes before i could get the truck started. The battery read 5.2 volts when it was dead. The dealership is telling me there is absolutely nothing wrong with the truck. Before this happened that battery guage always showed steady voltage...ever since it died the battery guages swings all over the place while i am driving it. They are telling me with the 2011 the battery guages moves all over on all of them, that there is nothing wrong...is this true??? Please reply if you have had this problem or if you can verify that all 2011 QX56 battery guages are constantly moving while you are driving...thanks!!!
Click to expand...

I had a dead battery about a week ago. Apparently my girl didn't turn the truck completely off. It does take a while before the battery takes a charge. As stated, after about 10 minutes the truck started. Took it to the dealer for a battery check and diagnosis of the electrical system. Everything checked out fine. No issues currently. I did a test and noticed if you leave ACC on when you lock the car the with the door button the truck will beep 3 times instead of two. Not the rapid sequence you hear when the engine is running. So it is possible "if one isn't paying attention" to leave the ignition in ACC mode and exit/lock the truck and hear a similar alert to the one that is emitted when the Truck is completely off.

my two cents of course...:)
 
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