2003 Pathfinder LE - stall while driving!

[Buddy Gladwin]

For the past 5-6 months when I start my 2003 Pathfinder 3.5L - (176k miles), cold start no problem, idle @ 750. However, on a warm start, the engine will rev to about 1,500rpm, then immediately drop to 500,400…stall. After restarting again, the truck will start & continue to run with no problems.

Today, after an Oil Change (my oil level’s perfect), I started truck and drove to store 6 miles away, where I proceeded to idle in a parking spot…after sitting idling (no A/C or Hard Load on) for 3-4 mins my truck stalls (no SES light).

I re-start and immediately my truck RPM jumps to about 1,500 then drops to 500,400 - stall. After trying to start and revving engine finally get it started! Drive back to house 2 miles away. Decide to clean the Throttle body with a quick spray (TB cleaner)/wipe.

Started up with no problem, so I let run for 6-7 mins stationary. Turned off, waited 3 hours. Started no problem again, idled at 750rpm…drove 3 miles down road to store, parked. Came out and the truck started right up again…jumped on freeway, drove 3 miles, exit off, then on side street – STALLS completely. Lost power steering, coasted into parking lot.

I went to start (noticed SES light is on – my guess is the Throttle Body cleaning) & same thing as it did on a warm start…high idle, around 1,500 rpm with an immediate drop to 500,400…Stall. I get under truck bang on fuel filter, and gas tank (thinking fuel pump?) and give it 8-9 mins, start it and rev the gas…keep it running back to house 1.5 mile away.

Now the plan is to replace spark plugs, clean idle air control valve, clean MAF & then reset the ECU, along with 1. Reset ECU – (Accelerator Pedal Released Position Learning, Throttle Valve Closed Position Learning, Idle Air Volume Learning) & pray!

ANY ADVICE would be greatly appreciated!!!

[asnorton44]

MAF

[Buddy Gladwin]

Just changed all 6 spark plugs, cleaned Throttle Body & cleaned MAF. Started at 1,500 RPM...settled @ 1,000 RPM. I'm now going to reset ECU and the Accelerator Pedal Released Position Learning, Throttle Valve Closed Position Learning, Idle Air Volume Learning procedures.

[Buddy Gladwin]

Finally after resetting ECU & attempting the Accelerator Pedal Released Position Learning, Throttle Valve Closed Position Learning & Idle Air Volume Learning procedures - 20 times. It finally took! Just drove around neighborhood, then freeway...20+ miles. back at house, idle @ 650-750RPM. No SES light. Good to Go, knock on wood!

[Buzzman]

I went to start (noticed SES light is on – my guess is the Throttle Body cleaning) & same thing as it did on a warm start…high idle, around 1,500 rpm with an immediate drop to 500,400…Stall.

If you had a SES light, did you pull the code?

Sounds an awful lot like a flaky MAF sensor for sure (like norton44 said).
Next time it acts up, pull the connector off the MAF sensor and see what happens.
It won't hurt the truck, and it should keep running, although at higher rpm's.

[Buddy Gladwin]

No, I didn't pull the SES codes. I figured that they were from cleaning the Throttle Body (SES only appeared after I cleaned TB).

Before I changed out plugs, cleaned MAF & Throttle Body, I pulled the MAF connector off of the sensor & Truck instantly Stalled.

Thanks Buzzman & norton44!

[Carlsbad]

Hmmm. My 2003 Infiniti QX4 with 150k miles is like you say, a Rock. Runs like new with very few issues that I've described here on the forum. Wonder if I should proactively replace the distributor? I'm not thinking this is an item that this is an item that routinely fails after 10 years or 180,000 miles so it probably isn't necessary. But if I'm on a trip, it is probably for a kids golf tournament or something where a delay would be very inconvenient. $125 for a distributor is pretty cheap compared to the costs of any repair that has to be done on the road. Any thoughts?

--Jerry

[Buddy Gladwin]

UPDATE - So, turned on just fine this morning. Cold start 1,500 RPM...I let warm up & settled @ 750+/- RPM.
Start driving to work, jump on freeway...go about 15 miles & truck starts jerking (RPM spikes) so i exit off freeway, and come to light & STALLS. able to re-start immediately (no SES light)...took the surface street with no issues...now i'm at work thinking it could be a faulty Fuel Pump or Cam Sensor??? ANYONE have any issues like this?

[Slumpert]

Cam sensor would trigger ses light in like 6 revolutions.

Maf-fuel pump-fuel filter-seem to be common issues for in motion stalling at speed.

Might also have second failing fuel injector (usually engine management will compensate for one dead cyclinder)

[Buddy Gladwin]

Thanks Slumpert! So, no SES light on but I checked code...and got P0365 - Camshaft sensor. Anybody have a link to Camshaft diagram or a thread w/ camshaft sensor replacement?

Driving to pick up new part...car completely Stalls. NOW the SES light is on and i'm on side of road...waiting for Truck to cool down. Got price of 79.95 at closest O'Reilly...must be convenience charge.

[Buzzman]

Hmmm. My 2003 Infiniti QX4 with 150k miles is like you say, a Rock. Wonder if I should proactively replace the distributor? $125 for a distributor is pretty cheap compared to the costs of any repair that has to be done on the road. Any thoughts?

--Jerry

if it's a 2003 model, then there is no distributor, only coil packs.

[Leo1998]

I remember back in the day I would be like "Voltage Regulator" blah, blah, blah...but geez! So yesterday i went to move my '98 Pathfinder and it started fine with high idle for the amount of time it sat. Then i put into Drive to move forward and it dies. I restart and it jumps up into 1500rpm range then down to about to die and then back up to 750rpm idle. I put into Drive and move again just fine, turn her off and restarts fine. No problem since yesterday.

Note: the housing of the MAF sensor has a crack/hole in it like someone shut the hood with a screwdriver setting on it. Yeah, like know on has ever shut the hood with something in the way...hahaha, I have. If you ever wonder where a tool went, look under the hood.

[edubes]

Need help with 2005 Pathfinder SE Off Road that has 120K miles and is beginning to stall on occasion. Has anyone else had that issue and if so, what did you do about it?