918pathy Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 (edited) I need some input please, My truck was running fine earlier today then this afternoon the check engine light came on and the engine started sputtering at idle it went away while driveing. Then went to run a errand later this evening it ran fine at idle no issue, but when i got out on the street it sputtered liked mad and back fired a couple of times and would go over 35 mph there was even a hint of rotten eggs smell what in the heck happened any input is greatly appreciated Edited January 11, 2012 by 918pathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nige Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 sounds like you are getting too much fuel. There is a procedure to read the check engine code saved on the ECU. It's in the garage forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nige Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 start with this: http://www.nissanpathfinders.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
918pathy Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 This forum is so AWESOME!! i am gonna check the ECU codes in the morning i just hope it nothing major. Thank you guys so much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunya Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 defiantly suggest starting with a code check. Was it the exhaust that had the egg smell or inside the truck? From the world of DSMs rotten egg smell inside the vehicle is generally a bad sign your ECU fried out, but they are known for goein south, not so much in wd21s (though not something to rule out) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
918pathy Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 defiantly suggest starting with a code check. Was it the exhaust that had the egg smell or inside the truck? From the world of DSMs rotten egg smell inside the vehicle is generally a bad sign your ECU fried out, but they are known for goein south, not so much in wd21s (though not something to rule out) The egg smell came from the inside and my son who was with me at the timesmelled it first in the truck and when he exited the truck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
918pathy Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 I just went and looked and it looks like i need to take the seat out to access it, but i did notice a wire with a blue plug in type plug on it and it was disconected (if that made sense). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tungsten Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 A bad catalytic converter will give you some really bad smells. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wd21overland Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 (edited) Typically a rotten egg smell is too much fuel or a bad cat causing the catalytic converter to send a lot of sulfer smell out of the exhaust. But you said you smelled it inside so it could be electrical but i don't think i have ever heard anyone talk about that smell inside the cabin at least in the wd21 world. Now you could have an exhaust leak causing the smell going into the cab either by rust on the floor board(Not very common) or the transfercase rubber boot seems they always rip after time and it under the leather cover so you never see it and they allow exahust fumes to come up. Edited January 11, 2012 by wd21overland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverton Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 you don't need to remove the seat, afaik, just slide it all the way forward and pull the tilt lever, should have plenty of room to access the slot you need to turn and view the lights on the ECU, you can also read the blinks on the dashboard CEL dummy as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1994SEV6 Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 you don't need to remove the seat, afaik, just slide it all the way forward and pull the tilt lever, should have plenty of room to access the slot you need to turn and view the lights on the ECU This didn't personally work for me. Personally, with ANY contorting of the seat, I don't see any way possible to bend one's wrist 130+ degrees and mess with the ecu. I cut myself up really bad trying to get to that damn ECU. Just get a 12mm socket and take the seat out. It takes all of 3 mins. Hell, you'll probably find some lost quarters and make profit. I would bet on the egg smell being a nasty cat. This is a point of maintenance that is often overlooked. Unless you know a few nifty tricks, the cat is hard to check without removing half your exhaust system. I was in an SUV about a year ago when I smelled some nasty stuff. The driver mumbled something about the catalytic converter but I didn't know anything about cars back then so I just opened the window. Start by checking your cat. I think I heard that these trucks (or most cats in general) are supposed to have a 100F difference between the inlet and outlet of the cat. I bought a digital infrared thermometer off Amazon.com for like $11. It works pretty well I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
918pathy Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 Thank you guys for your input, if it is a fuel issue what would be the cause of it. When i looked under the hood I did smell gas but did not think much of it at the time. frustration must of made me overlook that and the fact i am not a very good mechanic, but learning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 I'd be surprised if a cat went bad that suddenly. And yeah, you might be able to get to the ECU on a two-door with the tilting seats, but on a four-door, unbolt it and pull it out. I didn't just find quarters, I found the PO's french fry collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
918pathy Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 I am going to check the ECU this morning and see what codes i get. I did not see it listed under the codes int that list, but would a blocked catalytic conveter cause a check engine light? I will see what i come up with and let you guys know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edicer2 Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 rotten egg smell can be a clogged cat getting hot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wd21overland Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 This didn't personally work for me. Personally, with ANY contorting of the seat, I don't see any way possible to bend one's wrist 130+ degrees and mess with the ecu. I cut myself up really bad trying to get to that damn ECU. Just get a 12mm socket and take the seat out. It takes all of 3 mins. Hell, you'll probably find some lost quarters and make profit. I would bet on the egg smell being a nasty cat. This is a point of maintenance that is often overlooked. Unless you know a few nifty tricks, the cat is hard to check without removing half your exhaust system. I was in an SUV about a year ago when I smelled some nasty stuff. The driver mumbled something about the catalytic converter but I didn't know anything about cars back then so I just opened the window. Start by checking your cat. I think I heard that these trucks (or most cats in general) are supposed to have a 100F difference between the inlet and outlet of the cat. I bought a digital infrared thermometer off Amazon.com for like $11. It works pretty well I guess. I just tilted my seat back foward then slided the seat foward and opened the rear door and i had perfect access to the ecu removing the seat is a waste of time no reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
918pathy Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 I was able to get the code and it the red light 3 times and then right after it the green light flashed 3 times, so if i am reading it correctly it is a code 33 which is a heated O2 sensor my next question is that a easy one to replace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
918pathy Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 whats the difference between a O2 sensor and a "Heated" O2 sensor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5523Pathfinder Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 A heated O2 sensor has a small "heater" built into it. Usually they are 3-4 wire sensors. This allows the sensor to heat up quicker and read your Air-Fuel mixture better(AKA- get out of open loop quicker) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
918pathy Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 would it be located just before the catalytic conveter or is it elsewhere? I traced the one from the cat. converter all the way up to where it plugs in at by the fuse box on the Pass. side engine it has 3 wires, would that be the sensor in Question Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5523Pathfinder Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 yep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
918pathy Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 sweet, that should be easy for even me to change. Atleast its nothing to serious, I have driven around a little bit today and seems to be running normal none of the sputtering or backfiring and no unusaul smells wierd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5523Pathfinder Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 There was a TSB about water getting into the connector and causing issues. You might want to inspect it and make sure there is no corrosion. I would just replace it with a quality unit and be done with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towncivilian Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Are you sure you just didn't get a bad tank of fuel with high sulfur content which can be causing the smell? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
918pathy Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 it could of been bad gas and i will check the connection and clean it to see if that helps. Thanks again guys for all of your input, man with the wealth of knowledge of all you guy my truck will running like champ (it runs good now) but it is getting there. Thanks again guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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