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Nissan Pathfinder Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • pathstar1pathstar1 Member Posts: 1,015
    Looks like the immobilizer has lost the key codes. You don't see the chip -on- the key. It's inside the plastic handle (a wireless detection system). Only solution is a Nissan dealer. You have tried both keys? If so, and neither works, take both and the vehicle to the Nissan dealer and have them reprogram the keys into the immobilizer. I've read of several other owners having the system loose the key codes. Possibly from getting a jump start, possibly from something else.

    When an entered key is detected the red light stops flashing.

    I don't know of any way to remove the system from the vehicle. If you could it wouldn't be much of a security system, would it? It's tied into the engine ecu.
  • ankm06ankm06 Member Posts: 2
    Can some one please help, I have a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder with about 71,xxx miles. It has been losing oil not leaking,
    the last couple of oil changes there is no oil on the dip stick. It smokes a little on start up and it's gray, white I guess. The dealership keeps saying there's nothing wrong with it. If someone has the same problem or can help please do.
  • shark715shark715 Member Posts: 382
    Your email is not clear. How often are you checking your oil level between oil changes? How often do you change your oil? I think your owner's manual probably suggests checking the oil everytime you fill your truck with fuel. So the oil level is fine everytime you check it, but then all of the sudden the level is way down when you go to change the oil? Seems REALLY odd. But if your truck burns a quart of oil every 2000-3000 miles (would not be terribly unusual for a truck with 71K miles on it), and you are changing your oil every 7500 miles, you could be down 3 quarts by the time your next oil change (but you would be seeing that the oil level on the dipstick is low when you check it...long before your next oil change.
  • ankm06ankm06 Member Posts: 2
    No I change it about every 4000 miles and it's either 2 1/2 quarts low or no oil on the dip stick. I check it about every 600 miles. It starts to get low around 1000 to 1500 miles.
  • GHUTCHINGHUTCHIN Member Posts: 4
    I am still getting the occassional flaring. I am dealing with it by easing off on the accelerator a little. I now have the entire truck shaking like crap. Identical symptom was supposed to be corrected by coils being replaced. I replaced several but not all. I took it to another mechanic and he says the 2 Catalytic converters are shot (Diagnostic codes 420 and 430) and they cost over $800 each plus installation! I also need an O2 sensor x 2 for $140 each. Total estimate is $2,100 Cdn $ plus tax.

    When the shaking and rattling happens, which is occassional such as once a week, everything rattles including the steering wheel, rear hatch, etc. Any suggestions now?
  • dny42dny42 Member Posts: 8
    This is my second time with this inferior "Bose" top of the line product. Is there anywhere in Houston, Texas to get this products repaired "CORRECTLY". Of course it's holding a CD hostage that I borrowed from someone I'm taking a class with. I'd like to replace this POS without it costing me an "arm and a leg". Help please!!! Thanks.
  • pathstar1pathstar1 Member Posts: 1,015
    Some have had luck getting it fixed. Many have not. Check Crutchfield - they have adaptors that will let you have a new head installed that may work a lot better. The adaptor feeds the audio to the "Bose" speaker system, which is non-standard (very low impedance). A new head unit will cost anywhere from $150 to $1000+, depending on what features you want. For example, you can even get a DVD playing unit with fold out screen, GPS, etc.
    These guys claim they can fix the CD changer: http://www.carstereohelp.com/strnissan.htm
  • dny42dny42 Member Posts: 8
    Thanks. Actually I'm not looking to do the repair work myself; I'm looking for a shop here in Houston, Texas to take it to for someone to repair it. I have no time nor the inclination to want to take my vehicle apart to repair it, as I'm trying to work 3 jobs.
  • smokey75smokey75 Member Posts: 434
    I used the www.carstereohelp.com guys for my 2001 disc changer & was very happy with them. DNY42, it's very easy to remove the changer & these guys even have instructions on their website. They have done so many of these repairs that when I called them & started explaining the problem they cut me off at "2001 Nissan Pathfinder" & finished my sentence. I would worry that taking it to a local shop they will repair it only for it to go bad again... but that's just my 2 cents.
  • dny42dny42 Member Posts: 8
    Trust me, I so don't want to take it to a shop, as this is the 2nd time it's broken, but I've never taken a CD changer apart in a vehicle in my life (and am concerned about damaging it). So you're telling me that these people are going to be patient enough with me to talk me though taking this apart or answer any questions that I have if I get stuck doing it? I type for a living; I don't disassemble anything.
  • smokey75smokey75 Member Posts: 434
    You actually don't take the changer apart. It's just a "box" you remove from the dash. Check out the removal instructions on their website & see if it's something you're up for. And yes I think they would be happy to talk you through it.
  • mcanforamcanfora Member Posts: 1
    I have no idea what is wrong with your pathfinder...but I hope that since you posted this a year ago that you found a solution...BECAUSE I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM!!! I have an '01 Pathfinder with 68k. The dealer has had the car for 3 DAYS!!! They are going to drop my transmission on Monday. Can you please let me know how you solved your mystery leak. I am banging my head against the wall.
  • smokey75smokey75 Member Posts: 434
    Can anyone help me find the ECM in a 2001? I have the service manual but it only vaguely describes where it is.
  • john166john166 Member Posts: 1
    Hi I have the same pathfinder and the same problem-have you had any resolution or received helpful information ? any help would be appreciated :confuse:
  • nospam4cjnospam4cj Member Posts: 8
    I called Nissan and left a message on Friday 12/15/06 and was unable to answer when the Nissan representative returned my call later in the morning (10:00am). I called back later in the day and left another message to please call me again. I have since been unable to reach either of the Executive Specialists today 12/18/2006. Hopefully, someone will respond to my email sent today.

    I will continue to update everyone on the progress or lack of progress on this problem. PM me if you would like to have more details that what I have provided over the last 3 months.

    (Executive Specialist name omitted),

    Thank you for returning my call on from Friday even though I was unable to answer at the time. I have left you and (Executive Specialist name omitted) messages to please call me back again. Please reply or give me a call back at your earliest convenience.

    I would like to know the status the claim regarding the reoccurring problems of the 2001 Nissan/Infiniti Pathfinder/QX4 6-disc CD changer. Since you have access to the VIN database, a few contacts to owners would identify the problems with the CD changer mechanism is quite widespread. I hope you understand the denial of this problem does not help anyone. Many consumers, if not all the consumers, owning the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 have experienced this problem on more than one occasion. Both of you mentioned that a denial letter had been sent. The letter mentioned has never made it to me. If at all possible, I would like to know how this problem was researched and how Nissan and Infiniti can deny this problem. If you can provide this information, it would be much appreciated.

    My address and contact information are listed below, so you may send me a copy of the denial letter:
  • nospam4cjnospam4cj Member Posts: 8
    You can find the service manual for the Nissan Infiniti Bose Clarion 6-disc changer here: http://www.smpcshop.com/
  • nospam4cjnospam4cj Member Posts: 8
    Well, I am not sure why I didn't hear the call from the Executive Specialist at 3:26pm yesterday 12/19/2006. I must have been on the other line and not noticed an incoming call. Oh well, here's a very close to quote of the message sent:

    Beginning of paraphrase:
    ...I received your voice mail regarding the letter and touched base with (other Executive Specialist name omitted) that was providing the letter. (Name omitted) said that a second copy was sent last week; however, I will print something out, will draft a new letter. For my own measures, I will draft a new letter and send it to you FedEx Overnight it should arrive no later than noon tomorrow and will have a tracking number. I will do this in the next 5-10 minutes, and it will have a tracking number to verify it gets to your address without any hiccups or problems.
    End of paraphrase.

    I do not understand why the first letter which was sent twice did not arrive in my mailbox. I have provided NNA with my address, VIN, phone, email, fax, and pager each time I sent an email. I have never had this much problem with the post office or parcel carriers. I can't help but think that the original letter was never sent to me even one time. So I wonder if FedEx overnight can actually deliver the letter (denying any reoccurring problems with the 6-disc CD changer) that continues to vanish when sent to me.
  • rhsbobrhsbob Member Posts: 4
    I have the same problem, I am losing about a quart every 400 miles. No dripping, no smoking. Went to several dealers, mechanics. Best anyone can figure is oil is leaking round the seals. Short term solution, changed oil to 20 W 50, that has slowed oil consumption to about 650 miles.

    If you find an answer please share it.

    Bob
  • shark715shark715 Member Posts: 382
    So it sounds like you are losing a quart every 1300 miles or so. Why aren't you adding a quart every time it's a quart down? (versus waiting until it's 2 1/2 quarts or more down when you go to change the oil) It's likely much less expensive to just pay for a quart of oil every 1300 miles versus the expense of the repair. The only exception I can think of would be if the oil is leaking onto the engine, especially any exhaust system parts, creating a potential fire hazard. And with letting your oil level get so low you run the risk of major engine damage, if that has not happened already.
  • ronnie_neutronronnie_neutron Member Posts: 1
    Does anyone know why these 95 Pathfinders front right headlights stay on. Is it a relay that needs to be replaced if so which one???
  • joepath1joepath1 Member Posts: 1
    Hi all, my 01 pathfinder 5 spd, has 46500 miles. i was driving it and i heard kind of a clunking noise from below the vehicle. i immediately took it to the dealer and they told me that it was the rear diff. which i had them replace. i picked up the vehicle and drove for less than a mile and started hearing kind of a grinding noise. kind of like gears grinding, and lost power to the wheels. Wasn't able to move. called them to come pick it up and after 'checking it out' they said that it was the transfer case. they claim that the transfer case could have been damaged as a result of the rear diff being bad and vice-versa. IS THIS POSSIBLE???? i feel that i'm being taken. i think that they diagnosed the problem wrong and changed the wrong part/parts.
  • jnilsestuenjnilsestuen Member Posts: 2
    I have an '01 Pathfinder SE and I really need to buy snow tires. I want to mount them on some cheaper steel wheels so I can throw the current wheels/tires back on in the spring. I believe my current wheels are stock (16x7) with 255/65/R16 tires. I have found online merchants for both the tires and the wheels, but I cannot figure out the exact wheel size to purchase. Does anyone know the stock backspace measurement and bolt pattern measurement?

    And a secondary request, should I consider any wheel/tire size other than what was on there already?

    Thanks so much.
  • jomarchjomarch Member Posts: 6
    I cannot help you with this BOSE probem because I have not had a problem with my system!

    Sincerely - In Texas *******GOOD LUCK********
  • dny42dny42 Member Posts: 8
    Well be glad, but if you have a Bose, it's only a matter of time. This is the second time I've had this problem and I'm the original owner of this vehicle.
  • yeleyele Member Posts: 2
    I have a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder LE in good shape, but if I'm driving on a motorway/expressway once I got the speed up to 70MPH the car will be swerving, atimes this happened on 65MPH. I don't know if anyone have experience this, your reply will be much appreciated.
  • smokey75smokey75 Member Posts: 434
    I think this is a common problem with worn bushings. Anyone who knows more care to chime in?
  • yeleyele Member Posts: 2
    Thanks Smokey75, do you think this will got to do with bushings, whenever i got to this speed it will be as if its windy outside, and the wind is about to blow the car away. I think you can understand what I mean, if you've driven through strong wind in a windy day.
  • smokey75smokey75 Member Posts: 434
    Sounds exactly like what people on here have described. And they are a common failure item for this age Pathfinder. You may want to try searching "bushing" in this forum. Surely somebody knows more than me about this... maybe... please?
  • pathstar1pathstar1 Member Posts: 1,015
    The bushings in question are in the rear suspension. They wear and allow play in the rear axle. Any side forces will then allow the rear axle to shift slightly, affecting the steering. They can be replaced with Urethane or stock rubber, but are difficult to remove from the arms they are pressed into. Some owners have forced them out, some have just purchased new arms (which cost less then the labour to remove the bushings). I haven't heard of this being a problem in the newer models (2000 and up) but lots of the earlier ones had problems.
  • pdog07pdog07 Member Posts: 1
    Ok, I thought that I was just driving my PF a little hard, but my gas mileage has significantly dropped in the past year. Im talking 12-13 mpg with an equal combo of city and highway driving. I have done everything I could think of to improve it's mileage (at least to what it was when I got it back in 2001). I have replaced the fuel and air filters, changed the plugs, cleaned out the fuel system, everything they tell you to do. I spoke with a gent at the dealership and he did not have any insight to the problem. I do realize I drive an SUV and mileage is not something that comes cheap, but this same car got much better mileage in the past and now it is getting worse by the tank. Does anyone have any idea what is causing this? Have any of you had this problem in the past? Please help me, i'm tired of literally watching the fuel gauge drop as I drive.
  • sstevebssteveb Member Posts: 1
    I read with interest, that others have experienced different engine noises at intermittant intervals but usually when cold. Mine is a 2006 2.5 SVE PF, 20k miles on it, the dealer tells me that nothing is wrong. but i instinctly feel that the springy tappity engine noise when accelerating is definatley not normal. does anyone else have any ideas what causes this. i am so frustrated, please help. thanks
  • fart1fart1 Member Posts: 1
    hey,
    Ive heard of this before, my moms crapalier did it too the additve package in the oil used doesnt agree with the materials in the engine and the oil turns almost like a molassess type substance in the bottom of the oil pan.... we found this out because a week later the engine spun the main bearings, broke the crank, conrods, and siezed a piston. and once the stealership dissassembled the engine they discovered this stuff in the oil pan. dont know if this is true for you, but id definitly have that possibility checked.
  • mikem12mikem12 Member Posts: 2
    I was cleaning my patherfinder today and accidently unplugged the electric seat on the Drivers side. Where can a get information on how/where the unplugged wire goes. I looked extensively under the seat, but it was not obvious where to plug in
  • silverghostsilverghost Member Posts: 154
    Try this -
    http://www.thenissanpath.com/filelib/R51/Service/fwd.pdf

    Internet resources are abundant elsewhere.
  • mikem12mikem12 Member Posts: 2
    Thank you for your help!
  • budmantombudmantom Member Posts: 33
    Does a 2001 Pathfinder have a belt or a chain?

    Thanks,

    Tom
  • 01pf_se01pf_se Member Posts: 10
    It has a Timing chain.
  • mathmrderosamathmrderosa Member Posts: 3
    I have a 2005 SE, and mine only has 18K on it. My engine seems to be making a lot more noise than a fairly new car (or truck) should make. It roars on accelleration. Almost like a race car. It just seems much louder than it did when it was newer. I feel like I should bring it in, but I think I would feel stupid telling the maintenance guy "It seems loud, can you fix that?" I'm not the most mechanical guy in the world. Do they all sound really loud? I spoke to another person who has a 2006, and she said hers is loud too.
  • mark0831mark0831 Member Posts: 4
    Own a 2001 Pathfinder. Just recently the Check engine light came on and the truck has been misfiring on and off for the last two days. Had mechanic look at it and while on they way there the truck stopped misfiring. He said the code was a mis fire code but could not fix as there was nothing wrong. Said it was not the ignition coil. When doing research he found a report stating this is a common problem and the solution is to rewire truck completely. Big $

    Any suggestions?
    Mark
  • shark715shark715 Member Posts: 382
    I've actively followed this board since I bought my '01 Pathfinder almost 5 1/2 years ago, and I've never heard of this diagnosis. What code was stored?
  • silverghostsilverghost Member Posts: 154
    Rewire the whole truck because of a misfire code? That sounds pretty far fetched. Does this mechanic work for a Nissan dealer? Sounds like he's baiting you. Did you see the report he referenced?
  • bd70bd70 Member Posts: 30
    pdog,

    I wish I had the answer. So you don't feel alone, I also have the same problem with my '03 LE (3.5L), probably a bit worse. I'm not driving it hard, and I'll only get about 15 at best with pure highway driving, 10-12 with mixed driving. Pretty frustrating. The stealer is no help with this one either.
  • bd70bd70 Member Posts: 30
    I have an '03 LE with about 33K on it. Recently, the starter began to crank real slow, indicating a weak battery. It got really cold here in the northeast, but I never had this problem before. As you can guess by the mileage, I don't drive it everyday, and it sometimes sits for a week at a time in my driveway. At the same time, my slip, stability control and brake lights began to stay illuminated, making me think this is an (expensive) electical problem rather than a battery whose life has withered away. Does anyone have any ideas as to what may be the culprit here. I don't want to go to the stealer who will probably charge me for a diagnosis and a new computer to be installed, only to find out it was something completely different causing the problems. Thanks in advance.
  • budmantombudmantom Member Posts: 33
    What is the recommended mileage for replacing the timing chain on a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder with a 3.5 V6?

    Thanks,

    Tom
  • pathstar1pathstar1 Member Posts: 1,015
    Take a voltmeter and measure the battery voltage without a load tester. Best done after the vehicle has been sitting awhile (overnight at least). You should see at least 12 VDC. If you see 10-11 V you have a dead cell and need a new battery. Measure the battery voltage when you are starting the vehicle. It shouldn't drop below 11 V. If it does, and you were measuring at the battery posts (not after the cable connection), then you need a new battery.

    Leaving the vehicle sitting will drain the battery slowly and can be hard on it if you don't take it for a long drive once a week (an hour or more).

    My 2001 has removable caps on the battery, and I've been able to top up the fluid with distilled water. If the fluid gets down, the battery looses power. If you can top it up, try that before replacing it. You need to charge it up properly after topping it up - again, a one hour or longer drive will do that.

    With the engine running, you should see between 13 and 14 V at the battery, nominally 13.8 or so. When it's cold it should increase to 14 or so. If you see these voltages, your charging system is ok.
  • pathstar1pathstar1 Member Posts: 1,015
    It's supposed to last "the life of the engine". I haven't seen a replacement interval in the shop manual.
  • budmantombudmantom Member Posts: 33
    That's what I was hoping for.
  • datsun1datsun1 Member Posts: 2
    Opening another window does not help, it gets louder. Nissan should be made aware of this problem. They should install wind deflectors on the rear windows and the fronts. I have a 2006 Pathfinder and this problem is a pain in the #@%&*! How can we get this Problem sent to Nissan. Anyone know? :mad:
  • spanky7spanky7 Member Posts: 2
    I have the same problem. It sounds like there is a helicopter flying into my car and my ear drums pop!. The dealership told me to crack my front window slightly so the air circulates. :mad: I am going to take this up further a will update you on monday the 11th of feb
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    This is very common, it's called buffetting. The way to fix this is to crack the front and rear windows about 1" and it should clear it up.

    -mike
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