2001 Pathy buckin, jerkin' & rough idle

[xschug3]

It was idling rough, surging, and then would die as I started to drive it. I had the code ran and it brought back P100 code. I cleaned the MAF sensor in hopes to solve the problem....that didn't solve it, same code. Took it to my mechanic, he replaced the MAF and didn't charge me labor. It ran and idled fine until 10 miles down the hwy. It started buckin' and jerkin' like an untamed stallion then died on me at 70mph. I limped it back to the mechanic and he tested it with 95% certainty it was the throttle position sensor.

I had him replace that this morning, and the issue is sill there. All voltage checks out fine on both the MAF and throttle position sensor, but the truck still is idling extremely rough and seems to be running rich. RPM's still are surging off and on. Both sensors are installed correctly and test out fine but the P100 code is still being thrown....
mechanic is stumped.
I had to leave it with him today and he's "hoping to get to it by the end of the day."

What's next guys? Any advice? Would the MAP sensor throw a code? That's my next guess. Is it likely the computer itself has gone haywire and needs replaced?

Anyway that has any input/advice/feedback, please help!

-XS

[xschug3]

Forgot to mention......before replacing the MAF sensor, the scanner also through a random code (don't remember code) saying "2nd gear out in transmission". This was random and not accurate. I havn't had a single transmission problem at all.....leads me to believe the computer has maybe gone haywire.

[Towncivilian]

There is no MAP sensor.

Ensure there are no leaks with the intake plumbing. Tighten ground screws:



Where did you source the MAF & the TPS from?

[xschug3]

There is no MAP sensor on a 2001 Pathfinder? Really? I didn't know that.

The shop I took the truck to ordered the MAF & TPS sensor from Autozone. They did more tests on it today with no luck. They went ahead and ordered another MAF sensor, thinking the one they got was faulty.

I'll keep you posted.

[Towncivilian]

Aftermarket MAFs are $250+ at AutoZone. Yuck. Buy this $90 Maxima MAF if they're going to replace the MAF again and just replace it yourself, it's genuine and much cheaper, and it works with our engine.

Our VQ35DE engines only have a mass air flow sensor, no mass air pressure sensor.

[xschug3]

Towncivilian, thanks for the help. I wish I had known that about the maxima MAF before I went and purchased the one for my pathfinder. That being said...it's fixed. It turns out the MAF sensor they installed was a faulty sensor. They replaced it with another and it's purring like a kitten now. I've driven it 40 miles since they installed it and I've not had any issues whatsoever.
Thanks for all the help, this forum is an awesome one and extremely valuable!

[Towncivilian]

Excellent news. Glad to help!

[hmqx4]

Make sure you get an OEM MAF and not a remanufactured/aftermarket.

The previous owner replaced the MAF on my QX before I bought it, it was the cheap $100 dollar one. 5,000 miles later it went bad. Wouldn't rev passed 2500rpm and wanted to stall out.

Apparently the cheap ones are a quick fix but don't last long. The OEM's are $250 and much better. If you look at both MAF's they look entirely different next to each other. I am typically not a dealer part type guy, but in this instance it might be best to buy directly from the dealer and pay the price up front before it breaks again. good luck.

Just my 2 cents.

[Towncivilian]

Make sure you get an OEM MAF and not a remanufactured/aftermarket.

The previous owner replaced the MAF on my QX before I bought it, it was the cheap $100 dollar one. 5,000 miles later it went bad. Wouldn't rev passed 2500rpm and wanted to stall out.

Apparently the cheap ones are a quick fix but don't last long. The OEM's are $250 and much better. If you look at both MAF's they look entirely different next to each other. I am typically not a dealer part type guy, but in this instance it might be best to buy directly from the dealer and pay the price up front before it breaks again. good luck.

Just my 2 cents.

The OEM ones are more like $442 online. Most of us choose to purchase the $90 Maxima MAF from a Nissan dealer which is identical and works without a hitch.