My guess is ignition trouble...

[wheelmanLS1]

I have a '95 XE and last June I had a problem of the engine dying whenever it idled. It would always start right back up. So I ran over to Tuffy and they said it was a combination of my distributer cap, spark plugs, and spark plug wires. That is when I decided to go ahead and buy an MSD 6A Ignition and do everything at once (since running an MSD requires high-performance wires anyways). So new distributer cap(isn't this also called a rotor cap), new Taylor spark plug wires and Bosch +4 spark plugs all went on. The truck ran perfect after all that. Then I put the MSD in and it ran even better. Basically, the only thing on the ignition system I didn't replace was the coil. Anyways, yesterday my truck starts stalling out exactly like it did 6 months ago. Makes the same bad smell and everything, kind of like a 2-stroke engine smell.

 

Here's my theory: With the added spark power from the MSD Ignition, it simply wore out my stock coil. Does that sound about right? I figure I'll bump up to the MSD Blaster 2 coil as it was designed for the greater burden of a high-performance ignition system.

[Simon]

It sounds feasible.....but I'd check for moisture inside the cap, and for corrosion in the wires before spending big $$ on a new, performance coil. Just to check the easy stuff.

[k9sar]

rough idle and dying sounds suspiciously like a MAF problem

[Simon]

Good point K9. Forgot to mention that.

[Precise1]

Yep, yep and yep. I'd pull a few plugs to see what they look like also... Make sure to check, play with the WIRING CONNECTOR at the MAF, many people have reported problems there...

 

B

[wheelmanLS1]

You guys rock... it was my MAF sensor being a little dirty. All of the puzzle pieces have fallen into place now and I understand why it was the MAF. I have been hitting a few trails lately, about 4 in the last 2.5 weeks (aren't you guys proud of me? I've finally after having the Pathfinder for two years have started taking it on some fairly-difficult trails...too hard for 2WD but easy enough for a begineer type of trails). I've heard of guys who clean their MAF every time after off-roading and since it's been extremely dusty (no rain recently) that must of been it. Thanks again for helping me fix a simple problem... you saved me a hundred bucks or more maybe.

[Precise1]

Glad it was a quick, easy cheap fix, those are the best kind !!!! Congrats on the wheeling ! Pretty damn fun, isn't it ?

 

B

[k9sar]

Once again, this forum proves it's value.

 

There may be issues that we can't resolve but there are many that we can. Glad yours was one of the 'easy' ones.