2002 Nissan Pathfinder Code P0021

[urtoast]

On a recent road trip to California, my 2002 Pathfinder's SES light came on...and I obtained a code reader and found it was P0021. This is the Intake Valve Timing Control and I have really no idea as how to find this and replace it. I am pretty handy but without a service manual I am pretty much helpless here. I can change the part with some idea as to where it is, but at this point I have no idea what I am looking for...

I have read some other posts about changing the sensor from bank 1 to bank 2 to isolate the problem, but I have also read about how the sensor may be ok but the solenoid could be bad.

If anyone can give some advice I would really appreciate it!

[urtoast]

Well, now this gets a little interesting...

After my scanner read P0021 and I cleared it out, my wife told me that it turned on once again. Well, I took it to autozone and now it is reading P0011. What is going on?

Can both sensors be bad or is there something else going on that is much more serious?

Is it ok to drive the car? It seems like it runs like a champ!

[urtoast]

So I took the car down to the dealer ship and the driver's side cam position sensor is not registering within the desired range. Only the driver's side is affected right now but they go on to say the passenger side sensor will be soon to follow. They also have to reprogram the ECU which I assume is just turning off the SES light.

Can anyone offer any insight as to how to proceed? Should I have them change the first one and do the second one down the road or should I pay them the diagnostic fee and do it all myself?

[elwesso]

Welcome to NICO!!

read this thread and see if you have any other questions

zerothread/116383

[sambonini]

URTOAST, what was the eventual solution to your problem? I had a P1140 error a few weeks ago and took it to the dealer. They fixed the issue but now I have a new error and it is P0021. I am thinking that it is related to the fix that was done at the dealer and all I need to do is replace the second sensor that usually gives the P1145 error. I am wondering what you found out when got your P0021 error fixed?

Thanks,

Sam

[Impact_2k1SE]

Here is an article w/ photos i'm working on that details diagnosing and fixing the variable timing senor issues that I had with codes p1145 and P1140.

A DIY type person could do this in under an hour with very little experience. Nissan Pathfinder P1145 or P1140 code

Hope that helps! I'll be adding a bit more to it when I get some free time.-Jim

[sambonini]

Jim,Thanks for the great link. I'll try to use that to fix my issue.

Update: after going to autozone to identify my P0021 error, they cleared the code. Since then i have not had the SES come up again??? I think this is kind of odd since it should have poped up by now. It has been 2 days so I'll keep checking and see what I get. I'll keep you updated to what I see....