Formerly_94PathyMan Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 Ok, so like the title says, I seem to be having an intermittent misfire on my 01 QX4, 150k miles, spark plugs have roughly 50k on them, and I don't think the coils have ever been replaced. Now that I have that out of the way, I guess my question is, do the O2 sensors like to go out on these things? Are the coils faulty? Are the aftermarket coils reliable? Could it be something even simpler? I have my fuel filter coming, since I haven't replaced that since I bought it, figured it was probably time. I haven't pulled the codes yet, planning on doing that Saturday at Autozone to see what they are. I know it is hard to rule out/pin point anything without the code, I was just wondering if anyone had any advice on what they have found. I see some have had faulty coils, so I looked those up, and Judas Priest they are expensive. Do you really have to replace all of them at once? I read somewhere (can't remember where now) that it is recommended to replace all at once. I am on a tight budget, and cannot afford an $800 bill right now. Like i said, I am going to be replacing the fuel filter just for safety sake, but I know that wouldn't cause an intermittent misfire. Already checked for possible vacuum leaks, shorts, and things of that nature, but wanted to see if anyone had any quick advice for me. Thanks guys, you have always given me plenty of good advice, and I searched but didn't really get a solid idea of what I should do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamzan Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 It is common on the 01's for the coil packs to fail I believe. Have the codes read first before throwing parts at it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towncivilian Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 What's the manufacturing date of your QX4? 2001.5 Pathfinders have revised coil packs which apparently correct the issues of the 2001 models. While there doesn't seem to be a 2001.5 QX4 FSM, I'd imagine the coil packs were still updated along with the Pathfinder around the same timeframe of the changeover. You can also PM me your VIN and I'll look it up in the FAST system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Formerly_94PathyMan Posted October 23, 2011 Author Share Posted October 23, 2011 Ok, so I tested coils, cleaned the MAF, did a tune up, and replaced the fuel filter. It is still doing it, and I noticed last night that the right bank manifold cat is glowing red when it does its thing. Could this be o2 sensor related? Or do I just replace the cat...maybe I should go old school and punch a hole in it...LMAO...I just need to read up on how to test the o2 sensors now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tungsten Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 If your cat is glowing it's clogged. Replacing or gutting the cat would be the best fix. If you gut the cat, you can get one of those micro cat oxygen sensor adapters to avoid a CEL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Formerly_94PathyMan Posted October 24, 2011 Author Share Posted October 24, 2011 Where do you get those? And I read somewhere that if the o2 sensor is causing a rich condition, it can cause the cat to be over worked so to speak and it would glow red. And if it was clogged, which I have 4 of them on the truck, two per bank,, I would have the problem all the time, not just intermittently, and it was only the manifold cat glowing.. For example, it happens most times after I drive it for about 10 miles or so, shut it off, then when I turn it back on, that is usually when it does it. But sometimes if I let it cool a bit, it goes away, and other times I can romp on it, and it will go away...which makes me think a clogged o2 sensor or a short, maybe even an injector going bad. It is confusing me, since it isn't a constant thing, I am not leaning toward a plugged cat, cuz once a cat is plugged, it is plugged, no miraculous clearing should happen...I said should for a reason, stranger things have happened.. Thanks guys for all the advice so far, keep it coming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Formerly_94PathyMan Posted November 5, 2011 Author Share Posted November 5, 2011 Ok, so I went through all the diagnostics for code 1320 for the right bank, and came up with zilch! I tested o2 sensors, nothing there...ok, so what else could be causing this code? I didn't test the left bank because it the manny cat on the right side that is glowing. I don't see how it could be the MAF, or any other sensor before the right bank, for the simple fact that it is the right cat glowing. I still find it hard to believe it is the cat causing this, as it is a misfire, not a loss in power...though that does happen when it acts up, but not all the time like a plugged cat would do, and lately, only when it is above 40 degrees outside does it act up. I know we have some Nissan employees on here, feel free to chime in. Is it possible that the cat is slightly plugged just enough that it could cause this? I know they say replace all 6 coils just to make sure they aren't the culprit, but I don't have that kind of money. I love my SSU...get it, Superior Sport Utility...and all, but I have bills to pay first. I am just stumped, and these dang repair manuals on CD just aren't the same as the old Chilton/Haynes manuals, God I miss those, these are so much different, never had to use one so I am still figuring it out, plus my DVD burner on my laptop is on the fritz, so rather hard to just look it up whenever. I guess I am just looking to see if anyone else had these similar circumstances, with only one code, a cat that glows red when it misfires, and only does it on warmer days. I am still leaning toward a faulty coil, but every time I test them, nothing is wrong. I get 1.4 to 1.6 ohms across the board...can't remember if it is killa or if it is mega, but that is what shows on the screen. Any advice is most graciously appreciated and I hope I can get this dang thing figured out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towncivilian Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 P1320 is the only stored code? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Formerly_94PathyMan Posted November 6, 2011 Author Share Posted November 6, 2011 OK, so today, on my way home from a company meeting on my day off...UGH...My SSU started doing it again. I just so happened to be passing an auto parts store, and figured I would check the codes real quick while it was doing it...and there it was, cylinder 5 misfire...wasn't there before, now it is. I ordered a coil now to replace that, and hopefully that takes care of it all. I guess the guy at NAPA didn't know how to use the scanner because I showed 4 stored codes on this one, where he swore there was only 1...which I thought I saw 1/2 in the top right corner, but when I did the MIL check at home, I only got the one. So when I get it replaced, I will let you know if this fixes it finally...Man I am so happy I got the second code! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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