06 pathfinder starving for fuel

[shawnb2]

OK Pathfinder experts, I'm lost! My friend has an 06 Pathfinder that mysteriously just wouldn't start. I traced it back to the fuel pump not coming on, searched the forums, and found the relay switch on the IPDM. I tried the relay swap, and it started right up. Didn't wan't to leave it switched, so I ordered a new IPDM. Swapped it out, trunk ran fine for a week and quit again, same problem, lack of fuel. Checked fuel pump, had power to it, but it was dead. Ordered new fuel pump from Nissan. Changed pump, truck fired right up. Ran for 2 weeks, trouble is back, same symptoms, starving for fuel. If I let it sit for an hour, it starts up, runs for about 15 minutes, then chokes for fuel and dies. I can try to start it, it catches for a second, then dies again. Anyone have any ideas??? I'm guessing the fuel pump went out, and can probably get my Nissan dealer to warranty the pump since it's 2 weeks old, but am I missing something???

[Empty V]

I'm definitely not an expert but have an idea. Does the fuel inside the pump lubricate it? If it does and the fuel filter is clogged it might be straining the pump to the point of giving out. This might be totally off but it's a cheap fix.

Billy

[Buzzman]

Have you put a gauge on the fuel line to see what kind of pressure you have?
That would be my first step.
Second step is to confirm if there is an external fuel filter. If so, I'd change it.
On the R50's, the fuel filter is located above the rear axle.
Having said that, my gut feeling is that on the newer Pathy's, the filter is part of the pump, in the gas tank.
That's the way most cars are built now. (No external fuel filter.).
Maybe someone else can chime in and confirm the filter location.
That's all I can think of at the moment. Keep us informed.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Yup, the R51's have the fuel filter built into the pump.

[nismodatsun]

I remember when I worked at the Nissan dealership I had a Armada that had the same symptoms where it would spudder out and die but the gauge cluster would flicker out and the car would die and not start till you cycled the key, ended up being a bunch of loose and dirty grounds under the dash, not saying thats your problem but I know bad grounds under the dash are common, maybe something to check.

I also had a qx56 that would spudder out and die, couldn't figure out what was going on then I reset the short term and long term fuel trim (can't remember what its called on the consult II, its not called fuel trim I don't think, been too long to remember lol) and it started instantly after like 2 days of no start at all.

Hope you can get it resolved, I love my R51, hate to hear one thats having issues.

[shawnb2]

OK, I just ordered the adapter to be able to check the fuel pressure at the rail. It will be here next week. I can check my pressure then. I found a tech article from Nissan describing troubleshooting fuel pumps, it mentioned check the amps the pump is drawing, also checking the flow rate. Those are things I can do this weekend until the adapter comes in....Thanks for all the input folks.

[deepess]

if you want the service manual email me and I will send it. It's huge but I should be able to zip it. [email protected]

[Pwnin O'Brien]

He can also download the individual FSM sections here.

[deepess]

He can also download the individual FSM sections here.

Even better. Thanks.

[shawnb2]

I can't believe this, but it's fixed. Terminal 3 in the middle of the plug in for the fuel pump (ground) was loose. The opening looks larger than the rest of the pins. I took the pump out and put it under the truck to test it, and the pump came on when I had it turned the wrong way. I turned it the way it should fit and the pump shut off!!! After checking it with a meter, I found that terminal. I twisted the pin just slightly so it could catch the corners of the contact, and the truck started right up (had to drop it again though, forgot to plug back in the fuel sending unit!)... Pulled and jerked the pump all over and never could get it to cut off. I hope I never see the underside of this thing again!! Thanks to everyone for the suggestions!

[Chuck Tribolet]

I hope you didn't toss the old fuel pump.

[AzDeez]

Ok I have scoured this forum and have come to the conclusion I need to try a relay swap to possibly diagnose a bad fuel delivery issue. Big problem though is I can't find the fuel pump relay. The schematic for the IPDM shows it but then the actual picture does not. Anyone available to make me look silly?

I see at the beginning of this thread that you located the fuel pump relay. Where?