DClongskate Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 (edited) Recently I brought my 01 Pathfinder to my mechanic, who works out of his garage and usually does a great job. I had a rattle in the front and which turned out to be a ball joint which he repaired. While he had it I asked him to look into a small issue I have been having at highway speeds. Every once in awhile I would get a hesitation while in cruise control. It felt like the motor would just lug down for a moment then fine. The mechanics first thought was to change spark plugs , which he did for 150 dollars. I was in a rush and didn't have time to do it myself however I thought that was a little expensive. After getting it back I found a new problem where there used to be a hesitation or the motor with lug down, I now have a vibration in between 2 and 3 rpm. The whole truck seems to lug down, and the sound in the truck sounds like when you have the window down and you get that pressure thump. It is very loud pressure sound. I couldn't hear my wife talking to me in the passenger side. After returning to the mechanic to tell him the issue, he said when he ran the codes that there was a code for a cam shaft sensor which she intended to replace but had ordered the wrong one. He was sure this was the issue. This was the first mention of this. So I ran to the auto parts store and pick 1 up. The mechanic was sure it was the 1 on the upper left side so we replaced it quick. Got back out on the highway, same problem. So I took the old sensor and replaced the upper sensor on the otherside. Same problem, so I went and got the lower sensor on the front brand new and replace it. Same problem. I'm at a loss, and the only notable code was for can sensor. The gas milage is worse and this issue can't be good on the motor. Has anyone had such an issue? Is there a fourth sensor? Please help! Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2 Edited February 2, 2013 by DClongskate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howie Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Have you looked at the MAF sensor? They go bad too, and can cause the symptoms you're describing. Also, they don't necessarily throw a code when they go bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DClongskate Posted February 3, 2013 Author Share Posted February 3, 2013 I'm not sure what a MAF sensor is.. Where would I find it? Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DClongskate Posted February 3, 2013 Author Share Posted February 3, 2013 OK got it... Mad Airflow Sensor.. I found a how to website for diagnosis of issues with this part. I will check it out. Does anyone else have an idea? Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towncivilian Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Clean the MAF sensor using MAF cleaner spray only. If that doesn't help try replacing it with the $89 Maxima MAF; I'll post the part number and more information later when I get home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howie Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Yeah, don't touch the sensor even with a Q-tip. It's extremely sensitive, and if it wasn't broken before, you could break it after attempting to clean it, and you won't see any improvement in your problem but it could still be the sensor. I had to replace mine a few years ago with the Maxima sensor like Towncivilian said. It's part number 22680-2Y001. It's the one for the Maxima, but it's way cheaper than the actual part # for the Pathfinder, but it's the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DClongskate Posted February 4, 2013 Author Share Posted February 4, 2013 Thanks boys! Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towncivilian Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 The bottom of this guide shows you how to clean the MAF sensor. This part is the Maxima MAF that Howie and I referred to earlier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DClongskate Posted February 5, 2013 Author Share Posted February 5, 2013 Okay, cleaned the MAF sensor. No change at all. Truck seems to be getting worse. Could it still be a Cam sensor? I am at a loss and feel like i can no longer drive the truck. I drove about 50 miles interstate today for work and it seems to have gotten worse. The whole truck vibrates when in 4th gear between 2 and 3 rpm. Seems to do this when the truck settles to what seems to be a second stage of 4th gear. Any thoughts? Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towncivilian Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 The RPM limited at 2.4k is indicative of the MAF sensor. I would replace it with the $89 MAF linked above. Just because it's not throwing a code doesn't mean it couldn't be faulty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 I'd check the wiring to the MAF and the condition of the plug before dumping $90 on a new sensor. If it's corroded or loose it'll return bad info just the same as if the sensor was butchered. While you're at it, check the wiring to your cam shaft sensors, seeing as how that's what the computer thinks is wrong. Corroded or otherwise buggered wiring would explain why the issue doesn't improve with a new sensor, and could explain why it got worse after the mechanic did the plugs (pushing the wires around). Did the mechanic do the plug wires when he did the plugs? If they're old/lousy/arcing to something, they could cause the engine to miss. Again bending them around to change the plugs may have made the problem worse. This would probably throw a code other than the cam shaft sensor though. Also, I dunno how the R50 MAF compares to the WD21, but I cleaned mine (very carefully) with a q-tip and solvent with no issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DClongskate Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 I cant get either link to work... Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DClongskate Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share Posted February 10, 2013 The wording looks fairly good on all parts. I wouldn't know if the is an issue somewhere in the middle of all said wires. Finally got the part yesterday, got the maxima part. Anxious to try it out but my truck is 45 mikes away at my in-laws house and we are having quite the storm today up here in Minnesota... Will update when I can Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DClongskate Posted February 11, 2013 Author Share Posted February 11, 2013 (edited) Forgive some of the odd words in my posts. Damn auto correct on phone and tablet. Okay so I replaced the mass air flow sensor, left the battery disconnected to reset, and there is no change. Let me clarify that the motor does rev beyond 4500 rpm, it just lugs down at highway speeds. I get a vibration in the entire car in fourth gear between 2&3 rpm. If I accelerate and the vehicle shift into third gear the vibration goes away. Does anyone else have any ideas of what could be going on here? Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2 Edited February 11, 2013 by DClongskate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DClongskate Posted February 11, 2013 Author Share Posted February 11, 2013 Another thing I am noticing is that sometimes it doesn't want to shift out of third gear into fourth . Also this heavy vibration occurs in what seems to be a second stage of fourth gear . Do these things have secondary overdrive or something? Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towncivilian Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Changed the fuel filter within the past two years? How's the fluid level and condition of the transmission fluid? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DClongskate Posted February 14, 2013 Author Share Posted February 14, 2013 After doing some research, I am fairly positive that this is a ignition coil issue. I have no idea which cylinder is misfiring.. Or how to identify which is the problem. Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DClongskate Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share Posted February 17, 2013 No change on fuel filter..looked at by mechanic. Trany flued looks good. We are stumped. Coils are giving proper ohms.. Changed tbe spark plugs again after only a week. Only code after clearing is cam sensor (replaced all three), then after warm up random mis fire and 02. I think the cat may be bad. Or its the crank sensor. Does the cam code (I believe 1310) also show up for crank sensor? Misfire has caused major lug and loss of power. I have been attempting to find the problem for over a month and nothing seems to work... Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Towncivilian Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I still think MAF sensor is causing your problems. Nonetheless, could you post all current engine codes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DClongskate Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share Posted February 17, 2013 Success! I got it running with no codes earlier this morning and it has ran great all day. It was a combo bad coil, and crank sensor. I changed the MAF sensor last week ans there was no change in behavior. Over the last several weeks i have put two different sets of spark plugs in it, 3 cam sensors, new air filter and MAF sensor, and finally today change the crank sensor . After I changed the crank sensor I still had a random misfire and it wasn't running tip top much better though! I knew that 1 coil was slightly weaker than the others as I tested them when I changed to the second set of plugs, i assumed it was failing under load. So I change that coil and it runs like new. Finally success, but cost me alot of savings. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushnut Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 glade to hear of your success! diagnostics is the hardest part of automotive repair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DClongskate Posted February 18, 2013 Author Share Posted February 18, 2013 And how! This was the toughest diagnosis I have come across.. I've been frustrated for weeks! Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushnut Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 the up side of this is that as you have learned so have we, and any others after us! hopefully the only other posts will be from mods making your ride better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DClongskate Posted February 18, 2013 Author Share Posted February 18, 2013 Yeah. I surly learned alot. Mostly that your not finished till its fixed. This truck should run good for a long time! I am too broke to mod her now.. after all the repairs, but I was looking at different lift options last night... ive got the itch! Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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