1987 Nissan Pathfinder, desperate

DIANEPALM

MEMBER
1987 NISSAN PATHFINDER
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
35,000 MILES

Idles fine, dies when you put it in drive, will go in reverse, but runs rough, have replaced everything we can think of from the fuel filters, fuel pump, carb, distributer, plugs wires, brain, ignition coil, starter, etc

tryed to give donation, would not take my payment broke, have no other way to give, will try my card again, have a few vehicles with problems, this one is my sons, spent tons of money and 4 mechanics, paid much out with no results. Thanks for your help.

3 Replies

FIXITMR

MECHANIC
9,990 POSTS

Any codes now or then to mull over? What was the original problem? I will add that you are not alone in your frustration. These nissans and villigers and quests all suffer from very similar problems. People have stories of hundreds of dollars spent and no results. There are a few winners though. Could be as simple as cleaning the optical sensor in the distributor! But if yours is new thru and thru I guess that would be out. Another had the speedometer replaced which routes the speed sensor info to the computer! How odd is that? But yours is an older model so not a lot of interest put forth unfortunately. Maybe a long and careful search on the net thru all the stories would help?

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Monday, February 21st, 2011 AT 4:02 AM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Have the compression checked. Seems the engine is running below par.

If problem only occurs when engaged to forward gears and not when reversing, check for vacuum leaks. When engine tilts one way, there is none or minimal vacuum leaks. When engine tilts the other way, vacuum leaks increases and this would result in stalling.

Check all vacuum hoses for cracks, especially the brake booster hose if brake pedal seems stiff.

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Monday, February 21st, 2011 AT 2:04 PM

DESERTPATHFINDER

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Is it a 4 or 6 cylinder, in any case while the engine is running, with the parking brake set. Etc. And paying close attention to any moving parts while working under the hood start moving the wiring harness from the bulkhead head to the engine, there were many cases of bad splices in the ground circuits and broken wires. By gently pushing, pulling and twisting the harness you may get the engine to die. Repeating may draw you closer to a wiring problem, that is what is sounds like.

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Thursday, June 9th, 2011 AT 7:12 PM