2004 Nissan Pathfinder Startup Issue

[Efful]

I recently bought a 2004 Nissan Pathfinder 3.5L about a month back and I recently started to notice when I start up the vehicle its RPMs jump high then it drops really low like it wants to stall than it moves to normal RPM levels. The car has 143,602 miles and I have changed the battery in the past few weeks before this started.

[mdmellott]

You describe what could be a problem with your IACV. If you have a Haynes Repair Manual, there is section in there that describes in detail how to test it. The Nissan field service manual, found on this website also has this information. You will need a multi-meter. There is also an IACV relearn procedure detailed in the manuals that you can perform to be sure your ECU recognizes and regulates the proper operation of the IACV. If your IACV is bad, replace it as soon as possible because faulty ones have been known to wreck the ECU. Figure it out as soon as possible. Good luck.

[04pathse]

If your IACV is bad, replace it as soon as possible because faulty ones have been known to wreck the ECU. Figure it out as soon as possible. Good luck.

the OP has a 2004, the 2003 and 2004 models don't have the issue you are referring to

[rgk]

Any trouble codes, pending or confirmed?

[brickbox]

I would also like to throw in, dirty throttle body and vacuum leak could possibly cause issues with idle. When I first got my QX4, I had issues quite similar and it turned out to be a small vacuum leak in one of the lines.