4wd not engaging on 2003 Pathfinder LE

[Miggggel]

Hello everyone I have a 2003 Pathfinder LE with 112K miles. I live in MA and last week we had our first significant snowfall. While I was driving 10 mps I decided to shift my car in Auto mode because I noticed that my back end was fish tailing a lil bit. As soon as I engaged it in auto I noticed smoke coming in from the passanger vent. Upon seeing this I immediatly switched it back to 2wd. 20 mins later I was trying to make my way up a hill and once again my car began to fish tail. I pulled over to the side of the road and put it in neutral and switched it into 4WD high. This time no smoke but i can tell it was not engaging in 4WD. I continued to make my way up the hill when I noticed on the dash all 4 green tires began to blink as well as the yellow box and then they all turned off. Now none of 4 green tires as well as the yello indicator lights turn and the 4WD light stays on. I've told a couple of people what happened and they think that my transfer case might need replacing. The last time I switched the car into auto/4wd high/4wd low was last winter and I didnt have an issue. The car runs fine in 2wd

[JonathanPrem]

did you ever change the transfer case oil?

[Miggggel]

Honestly I don't remember, I used to take it to the dealership and just had them follow the routine maintenance schedule, But with the way the economy is going I've just been going to my local guy which I assume has not changed the oil in over a year.

[e2xx33]

take a look at the harnesses that connect to the transfer. I believe there are 4-5 of them. Make sure they are all connected and all of the wires are in tact. something (rock, stick, ect) may have caused a wire to be cut/frayed or knocked a harness loose over the past year.

If that's not the problem, its possible that one of the switches in the transfer went bad. did it throw any codes?

[Miggggel]

Update, I had the mechanic do a full tune up, brakes, changed the front 2 tires and had them change the oil in the transfer case and check all wiring. It looks like the issue has been resolved , while the truck was on the lift the mechanic switched the suv into auto, 4WDH and 4WDL. True test will be today as we have 5" of snow on the ground. The garage was not able to hook the pathfinder up to a computer as it was broken to clear the check engine light and 4wd Diagnostic light is still on which does not allow the wheel diagram to light up on the dash.On a separate note, the 2wd and Auto do not light up on the switch located next to the ashtray. This occurred a couple weeks back. Only the 4wdH and 4wdL are back lit. I checked the see that the connection was secure and it was. Is there a fuse that needs to be replaced?

[alexf20c]

was there a question in that post?

did the mechanic fix it or not? if not, what kind of mechanic is that?

[Pwnin O'Brien]

was there a question in that post?

Yes.

On a separate note, the 2wd and Auto do not light up on the switch located next to the ashtray. This occurred a couple weeks back. Only the 4wdH and 4wdL are back lit. I checked the see that the connection was secure and it was. Is there a fuse that needs to be replaced?

did the mechanic fix it or not? if not, what kind of mechanic is that?

Yes.

It looks like the issue has been resolved , while the truck was on the lift the mechanic switched the suv into auto, 4WDH and 4WDL.

[Miggggel]

UPDATE:It appears that when I switched my pathfinder from 2wd to Auto, the switch short short circuited the G-sensor which in turn, blew the transfer case. Already purchased a used transfer case that came with a warrarentyNow I'm on a hunt for a G sensor and switch. Does anyone know how much these go for???

[K03sport]

is this a problem that would be more common in R50s with dial activated 4WD and not so much in those with a lever?

So, blowing a circuit caused your entire t-case to fail or just the case electronics? Are the electronics just on the outside or are there sensors and sensative do-dads on the inside too.

What about a t-case rebuild?

[fueler]

t-case rebuild costs just as much as a junkyard t-case and is just as sketchy... im on my 2nd transfer case and it is already showing signs of failure (still works, but sounds AWFUL when engaged, like metal rocks being thrown around)

[Miggggel]

My pathfinder's 4wd is dial activated. Per the mechanic, he informed me it was a chain reaction. The dial short circuited the G sensor, which inturn damaged the transfer case. Cant tell you if the transfer case has electronic components. Never really went down the avenue of getting a rebuilt transfer case. If I did I would have prefered for them to just rebuild mine. As I know the history. I barely use my car in auto or 4wd only when I "must" use it here in NE.

[MagicM]

You know you don't need to go into neutral to switch to 4H, and don't bother using auto it's USELESS, auto on both my 06 Pathfinder and my 01 when i had them never made it up my driveway unless i switched the center lock on.

[Densetsu]

You know you don't need to go into neutral to switch to 4H, and don't bother using auto it's USELESS, auto on both my 06 Pathfinder and my 01 when i had them never made it up my driveway unless i switched the center lock on.

Auto's good for when you're just driving down the road and you hit a patch of black ice or something. You'll slide for a half-second, then it kicks in and you regain control.

Also good for icy traffic circles, I go through two every day and in the winters I can feel the auto kicking in.

But whenever I *know* I need traction... whether it's snow, mud, or sheer ice, then I throw it into 4H. No sense in waiting for auto to kick in when you know you need it anyways.

[MagicM]

i never liked/trusted the auto system on the pathfinders had one too many close calls with it on little ice patchs. I wouldn't mind it if worked like a Real Full time 4wd system, the center lock > auto for me, the control is much more soild instead of waiting for a delayed transfer in power to 4 wheels.

[Miggggel]

Ok so I tried to see how long I could go without replacing the Gsensor and dial located on the dash that allows me to switch modes. After almost being run off the road last night while it was snowing and ending up on the side of the embackment stuck with only rear wheel drive. I've decided it wll be wise to get these parts replaced. I have a friend that has an 03 pathfinder with a blown engine that he's going to donate. And I was wondering what info that would I need to know to see if the parts on his pathfinder are interchangeable with my LE model. I assume if we both have an LE model there should be no issuesThanks

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Ok so I tried to see how long I could go without replacing the Gsensor and dial located on the dash that allows me to switch modes. After almost being run off the road last night while it was snowing and ending up on the side of the embackment stuck with only rear wheel drive. I've decided it wll be wise to get these parts replaced. I have a friend that has an 03 pathfinder with a blown engine that he's going to donate. And I was wondering what info that would I need to know to see if the parts on his pathfinder are interchangeable with my LE model. I assume if we both have an LE model there should be no issuesThanks

If it's the same year then you should be able to just swap the G-sensor and the switch no problem.

Also, how did your friend blow the engine on his 2003?

[Miggggel]

Not too sure, would this have any effect on the electrical parts that I pull out?

[Miggggel]

So I finally broke down and took my Pathy to the Nissan dealership. $560 dollars later they found no power to the 2 and 4 drive solenoid valve. They traced back the wiring and found the green and red wire that ran to the solenoid has melted. Wires were replaced and now the dash lights up again infoming me what drive mode I'm in. My only concern is how do i know if my 4wd is actually working. It was always working when it was on the lift. Its the middle of spring here in NE, last thing I want to do is put the vehicle in 4wd on dry pavement and damage it. Is there anything I can do?

[Densetsu]

Find any slippery surface -- wet grass, gravel, mud, etc -- and try to do donuts. Should be fairly obvious whether 4wd is working or not.

I prefer wet grass, since there's little chance of catching dry pavement and wrecking something. If you have friends or family with a farm or acreage, pay them a visit.

[Innovazn]

So I finally broke down and took my Pathy to the Nissan dealership. $560 dollars later they found no power to the 2 and 4 drive solenoid valve. They traced back the wiring and found the green and red wire that ran to the solenoid has melted. Wires were replaced and now the dash lights up again infoming me what drive mode I'm in. My only concern is how do i know if my 4wd is actually working. It was always working when it was on the lift. Its the middle of spring here in NE, last thing I want to do is put the vehicle in 4wd on dry pavement and damage it. Is there anything I can do?

or try rainy weather.... put it in auto slam the gas and if you dont slip youre code 4!