01 Nissan Pathfinder Navi Unit/Climate Control Help

[nissan 01]

hey everyone just joined this site hoping to gain additional knowledge.

I recently bought a 01 Pathfinder LE with 87k on it with the built in GPS(navigation)/climate control. The car runs perfect. Just got all fluids replaced, spark plugs done, new tires, alignment, brakes all around, and complete detail. Car runs perfect and i plan on taking it to my snow trips to go snowboarding.

only problem remaining - the buttons on my climate control is falling off. The recirculation button already fell off and i still have it but i can't glue it back or anything because it seems stuck. it won't activate when i put the button back....it seems like the front defroster button is about to fall off as well...seems very loose. i really want to have all the buttons there. is there a way to remove the unit to fix the buttons? the dealer wanted 5000 for the entire navi unit. anyone know of a place that is cheaper?

if not has anyone successfully removed the navigation unit and put in an aftermarket one and what do you do with the climate unit? i really need help lpease THANKS!

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Welcome to NICO!

I've heard from other Pathfinder owners with the factory nav system that it is a piece of junk. The buttons will always fall off and it is a huge headache. The only issue is that you can't really replace the nav system with anything but another nav unit. Since it controls the HVAC system you're really tied to that system and you can't really deviate. You may be able to put in one of the other HVAC systems but it would require a lot of parts and probably a lot of custom wiring.

Hopefully another member can help you with a method of replacing the buttons semi-permanently.

[Ron Burgundy]

Not trying to thread jack or anything just reinforcing your issue...

I have the stock BOSE head unit and the "Number 1 Pre-set" or "Previous Track" button was always a little loose and then came off one day. I held on to it for over a year thinking some day I might be able to get it back on.

I finally lost the button, and they only way I know how to replace it is to replace the entire unit. I could find one in a junkyard and replace it - which seems pretty impossible. or buy a used one. The question is - is it worth the money to replace?

It sounds like your in the same boat. I don't know much about the nav system but i'd say your best bet is to remove the nav unit and play around with some glue and plastic and hope for the best. Do it while you still have the buttons! It seems like the worst thing that could happen is you have some sticky buttons that don't work - which sounds like what's happening right now anyway.

[Ron Burgundy]

By the way is this you?

http://www.justanswer.com/ques...alled

If not looks like you're not the only one!

And one last thing if you do decide to replace the entire unit...

http://www.buyautoparts.com/ad....html

Look into the legitimacy of that before anything - but if it all works out thats better than 5k!

[nissan 01]

thanks burgundy,

yea i saw that post...and i did call that place today. but if they are going to charge 600-700 i was thinking of just trying to go for an aftermarket unit...u know what i mean. i mean i can get an automatic cliamte unit for a SE or something and see if the connector behind the navi plugs in. if it does i'll remove my stock radio and put cliamte there...and then get aftermarket navi with radio. only thing is i really don't want to mess with rewiring anything. taking the navi in and out is no problem.

another option seems like buyparts the link u showed me seems to have a refurbished one. i called and they seem legit.....if all else fails ill go that route since its a one year warranty....but i would rather get an aftermarket navigation. i'm sure someone has done it before but i can't just find anything on the forum or the web.

anyone else please chime in.

[Ron Burgundy]

Oh yeah there's definately a few people on here with aftermarket units. If no one chimes in around here peharps create a "Aftermarket Head Unit Recommendations" thread.

[nissan 01]

been checking the last two days. no luck...either refurbished unit or get it fixed at Short ciruit repair in San Jose, CA....almost at least 1000 for either option.

i really would love to get rid of the entire thing and get an aftermarket navigation. so far i took the navi out already and compared the connectors to the back of that unit with the automatic climate control unit i've seen on ebay...the connectors def look different...one looks like a 16 pin connector on the unit without navi and my connector has 20 pin.

if someone could somehow donate an automatic climate control unit to me i could try to rewire it and stuff....but i just don't want to spend $60 on a unit i might not end up using. but i might need to in order to even attempt to remove it.

I think I would also need a different radio trim bezel since the one i have is reversed. The double din and single din would have to be swapped over so i will need a new bezel. but it has to be from A LE with the all mode since i have that switch thing there. i might attempt this alternative if i have time. i'm just worried about the wiring. I will print out the wiring diagrams for the pathfinder climate control to see if it will work out....anyone with help please let me know.

before i drive myself nuts trying to fix two feaking buttons.

[nissan 01]

does anyone know who makes the navi unit for the pathfinder/qx4? is it clarion or someone else?

[vwvw888]

I was wondering if you could share how you resolved the issue. I am going through the same problem. 3 of the control buttons suddenly broke off all in the same week and now i'm trying to figure out what to do.

Thanks,

[miamiheat3332]

i know if you search on this forum, there was a guy who removed his navi unit, got the automatic hvac control module, and wired that up and then put another 7 inch navi into the double din and it worked perfect, all he had to do was add some wires, and also buy another middle dash peice, because the dash with the factory navi is different.

[jpedderson]

Here was the link to that thread I think:

update-removed-navigation-and-rewired-a ... 83201.html

[harpethriver]

I'm in the same boat-01 Pathfinder with the 3 climate control buttons that fell off. Any body know of a used or rebuilt unit that contains the climate contol portion as well. Any idea on who manufactured this unit? Anybody know what other years and models of Nissan/Infiniti products are the same? Seems like as many of us as there are that have this problem there oughta be a solution. I'm not tech oriented so paying somebody to fix it or replace is my only option. Can anybody help?

[tony6299]

harpethriver: did you get anywhere?

[sadesq]

NAVIGATION UNIT REPAIR SHOP

I have a 2002 Pathfinder. The defrost button broke on the Navigation Unit in February 2012. I located on the internet an electronic repair service that was able to obtain from the navigation unit manufacturer parts for the unit. The entire front panel assembly was replaced. I recently received and insatlled the unit. The unit works perfectly. The front panel assembly was absolutely identical as promised.

The repair shop is:

SHORT CIRCUIT CAR AUDIO REPAIR
1933 CONCOURSE DRIVE
SAN JOSE, CA 95131- 1708

PHONE: (408) 433-3900.

I am in MA. I shipped my unit to CA without a problem.

http://www.shortcircuitrepair.com/

[patqx4]

sadesq, what did that cost you?

[cvas]

Any suggestions about what is a good Navigation unit to replace factory one for 2002 Nissan pathfinder

[cvas]

Any suggestions What is a good NAVIGATION unit to replace factory one for 2002 Nissan pathfinder. Need NAV that also has the radio since I am doing a conversion from factory nav & putting the a/c controls in radio din.