1999 Pathfinder Hesitation

[xairsoft808x]

Hey guys,

My Pathfinder has recently started hesitating when I'm heavy on the throttle. It's a 1999 SE 5spd 4x4 and the issue only occurs when above ~3500rpm in any gear. Has anyone encountered something like this before? The car is still drivable but it just hesitates a bit. Not sure if something is slipping or misfiring?

Please chime in!

[Towncivilian]

A restricted fuel filter will cause this. Try replacing it it it hasn't been changed within the last two years.

Welcome to NICO!

[xairsoft808x]

The truck hesitates during lower rpm's as well now (~2k)

Thanks towncivilian. Just replaced the fuel filter. The previous owners records show that it was last done in 2006, so it was a bit overdue.

Problem still exists after the test drive. Any other suggestions?

[PathyProject]

The truck hesitates during lower rpm's as well now (~2k)

Thanks towncivilian. Just replaced the fuel filter. The previous owners records show that it was last done in 2006, so it was a bit overdue.

Problem still exists after the test drive. Any other suggestions?

Clean out your throttle body, there could be large carbon deposits in there. When I first got mine whenever I'd put my foot on the pedal it would get stuck, then with a hard press it would rev up high and then run fine afterwards. A huge cloud of black smoke came from my throttle body after cleaning it out, and that problem was gone. I had better acceleration and no hesitation.

You can also try cleaning out your mass air flow sensor. It may not solve your hesitation, but it the mass air flow sensor is dirty it will hurt your performance.

[Slumpert]

Your knock sensor might have died.. You won't see a check engine light for it, but the computer will take some power away if that failed.

A engine code scanner would show it.

[Towncivilian]

Cleaning the throttle body seems like a good next step, as well as the MAF sensor. I would also get codes pulled even if your "service engine soon" light is not illuminated as Slumpert suggests.

[xairsoft808x]

UPDATE: Pulled the spark plugs and the VC gaskets were leaking so we replaced the gasket and all the plugs. Problem still existed so we pulled the codes and showed random misfire. Distributor/cap/rotor were making a faint whirling noise so that is going to be replaced tomorrow. We shall see how that goes.

Also checked the throttle body and MAF sensor, both look ok.

[xairsoft808x]

FINAL UPDATE: The distributor was replaced with on from Amazon today. This seems to have fixed the problem. No more hesitating and as a result everything seems to be running as normal, if not better. The distributor was only $105 brand new so all worked out well. If anyone else encounters the same problem, be sure to check out your distributor while the car is running. Mines was making a scratchy noise and I should have known right of the bat that this is where the problem laid.

Thanks all!

Now to do the rear shocks, maybe even the front struts.

[Slumpert]

My pathfinder recently has started to have spotty idle, stalls and then runs completely normal so I too am thinking good possibilty it is distributor.. No codes.. Which one on amazon did you actually buy?

[xairsoft808x]

Your symptoms don't match those that I was having with my Pathfinder, just an FYI.

http://www.amazon.com/Richporter-Techno ... istributor

I believe its made in Taiwan but its brand new