Dreaded P1130 code won't stay fixed

[r50loverPR]

Hey guys, I've had a P1130 code for a few months now and have thrown the whole kitchen sink at it and it won't get fixed. 

 

I've been looking at old posts here and on Nicoclub forums to find any answers but nothing seems to stick. For those unfamiliar with the code the car will start surging around 2300 or 2500 revolutions and won't let me accelerate harder than that. I found the FSM for these pathfinders and followed the advice of an old poster to check all the sensors that are related to it as well as the swirl control valve, the vaccuum hoses, and more. I am fairly new to working on my car so all I really have to help me diagnose things is a basic OBD II scanner and a voltmeter. As of now my mechanic and I have changed the following:

 

All 4 O2 sensors

The Throttle body

The ECU

The vacuum hoses leading into and out of the vacuum box as well as the ones connected to the swirl control valve

The coolant temperature sensor

The crankshaft sensor

Both camshaft sensors

The MAF sensor

 

I also checked the voltage for the swirl control valve solenoid plug and when the car cold starts it is between 0-1 volts, and once it reaches optimal temperatures it turns up to 12 volts. Which to my understanding after reading the manual is how its supposed to be, which is also why I am so stumped with this. Has anyone ever had the same problem and ifo so how did you fix it in the end? 

[hawairish]

I've not dealt with the code before, just reading through the FSM now to toss some suggestions out there.

 

You've confirmed the solenoid gets 12V when the temperature is up, but where are you checking for the signal, and have you confirmed that the solenoid is actually actuating?  The ECU provides a ground signal for the solenoid, so if you're reading 12V before the solenoid and just grounding it, you'll see 12V.  You need to confirm if the ECU is grounding.  Have you 

 

Have you also stepped through the troubleshooting procedures in the FSM?  There are 3 procedures based on which symptom(s) you're seeing.

• An improper voltage signal is sent to ECM through swirl control valve control solenoid valve.
• The vacuum signal is not sent to swirl control valve under specified driving conditions, even though swirl control valve control solenoid valve is ON.
• The vacuum signal is sent to swirl control valve even though swirl control valve control solenoid valve is OFF.

Which applies?

 

Checked the vacuum switch?

[r50loverPR]

I forgot to mention I also swapped out the actual solenoid, whoops. But I check for the signal by putting both prongs of the voltmeter into the socket. I didn't quite understand all the diagnostic procedures in the FSM and also haven't had time recently to really go super in depth into taking things apart. From what I did manage to understand though I'm pretty sure the solenoid isn't getting the signal to turn OFF. I'm sorry if I'm a little dense on this

[hawairish]

Appreciate the extra info.  Digging into this stuff is never fun, and many times the error code isn't specifically for the part it references.

If you suspect the ECU isn't turning the solenoid off, you may need to look into what conditions would instruct the ECU to keep it grounded, or otherwise confirm that there isn't a ground when the truck is off.  I suspect a bad pressure sensor would be one of those conditions.

 

Have you pulled the plenums off to visually inspect all hoses, actuator activation, etc.?

Edited May 19 by hawairish
"back" --> "bad"

[Slartibartfast]

My dad's '03 bucked like that too. His usual mechanic had no idea what was wrong. IIRC it didn't even throw the code, just bucked when he tried to accelerate. Someone else he took it to had seen the same failure before, and replaced the solenoid, and that cleared it up.

 

Looks like this guy had a bad TPS somehow throw this code. Not sure if you've seen that thread already, or whether you already replaced the TPS along with the throttle body. I'd have a look at live data from the TPS, on the off chance, though I suspect the engine in that thread might've been the earlier drive-by-cable--surely drive-by-wire would be throwing more than a swirl valve code if it couldn't tell where the throttle blade was.

 

+1 for going through the troubleshooting in the service manual!

[r50loverPR]

Thank you guys for the advice. I'm guessing it is a ground issue but electrical stuff is a little out of my league so next week I'm taking it to an electromechanic I know. As for the hoses I saw they were a little toasted so I just swapped them out, issue still persists though so yeah haha. 

[alfie_wiz]

On 5/19/2025 at 5:02 AM, hawairish said:

Appreciate the extra info.  Digging into this stuff is never fun, and many times the error code isn't specifically for the part it references.

If you suspect the ECU isn't turning the solenoid off, you may need to look into what conditions would instruct the ECU to keep it grounded, or otherwise confirm that there isn't a ground when the truck is off.  I suspect a bad pressure sensor would be one of those conditions.

 

Have you pulled the plenums off to visually inspect all hoses, actuator activation, etc.?

Hi @hawairishi see your truck is a 2004 SE, I also have a 2004 (LE trim though). I am battling the P1130 dtc code and the attendant symptom too; engine bucking at about 3k rpm. From visual inspection of my engine, i see the hoses associated with the swirl control mechanism are not in proper place. I'd appreciate a clear picture of a working system so i can reference same to fix mine. Could you please help with a clear picture of yours showing the paths of the hoses and their connection between the airbox, check switch, swirl control solenoid, vacuum box, etc. Thanks in advance.

[hawairish]

8 hours ago, alfie_wiz said:

Hi @hawairishi see your truck is a 2004 SE, I also have a 2004 (LE trim though). I am battling the P1130 dtc code and the attendant symptom too; engine bucking at about 3k rpm. From visual inspection of my engine, i see the hoses associated with the swirl control mechanism are not in proper place. I'd appreciate a clear picture of a working system so i can reference same to fix mine. Could you please help with a clear picture of yours showing the paths of the hoses and their connection between the airbox, check switch, swirl control solenoid, vacuum box, etc. Thanks in advance.

I'd have to pull things apart on my truck to get those sort of pics, but you may want to start with the Factory Service Manual (FSM) if you haven't already: https://www.nicoclub.com/nissan-service-manuals.  Check the Engine Control System chapter (EC) and jump to page EC-31 and EC-32.  It has both the full system diagram and drawing showing where things are routed.  If that doesn't help, I'll try to get you what you need in pics.

[alfie_wiz]

14 hours ago, hawairish said:

I'd have to pull things apart on my truck to get those sort of pics, but you may want to start with the Factory Service Manual (FSM) if you haven't already: https://www.nicoclub.com/nissan-service-manuals.  Check the Engine Control System chapter (EC) and jump to page EC-31 and EC-32.  It has both the full system diagram and drawing showing where things are routed.  If that doesn't help, I'll try to get you what you need in pics.

Thank you very much! The diagrams in EC31 and EC32 have taken care of the bulk of my concern. However, can you confirm where the hose running from the power valve actuator goes to? The diagrams don't seem to be clear on that.