96 Pathy XE needs new Struts / SES Codes 0125 + 0325

[ShellshocK]

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forums and a 2 week owner of my 1st Nissan 1996 Pathfinder XE. I hope someone can give me a recommendation on front struts. The parts stores in my area stock Monroe Sensa-Trac, KYB GR-2, Gabriel Ultra, Trailmaster Invader SS, and Rancho RSX. Which of these is best , or should I order some from the Internet somewhere? I usually drive city/highway.

Also The SES light came on and is giving me codes 0125 and 0325. One of them is a closed loop error. The other is a Coolant temp low error. It takes about 20 minutes of driving to get heat on cold days!

Any help would be appreciated. You guys have a really professional forum here, I'm impressed.

[elwesso]

Welcome to NICO, and thanks for the comments...

I woudl check prices of OEM struts with Joe at EverythingNissan. call him up with the phone number listed in my signature.. They may be comparable with the NICO discount.... Tell him Wes sent you!!!

Otherwise, the monroes would probably have the closest to OEM ride, but i would still go with the OEM shocks if I could, unless they are way more expensive.... Im seeing that OEM struts for a 96 pathfinder are about $140... Maybe they sell inserts, im not sure but Joe would know...

For the coolant temp, your Tstat is probably stuck open. While your on the phone with Joe getting the struts, get a new Tstat its only about $10 and takes about 30 mins to replace DIY style...

The closed loop error is possibly related to the coolant temp as well.. the ecu only goes into closed loop above a specified coolant temp, and if the coolant temp never gets that high, its never going into closed loop. you can see the problem this would cause!!

[ShellshocK]

Thank you elwesso. The help is appreciated. After comparing prices I decided to go with the Monroe Reflex Performance Struts. They seem to be the forefront of shock technology like the new pathfinders have. I will post the results of my vigorous driving tests.

I'll check on that T-stat. It seems to be pretty well buried in the engine. Any reccomendations on a service manual for a Nissan-Noob like me? Chilton, Haynes or other?

This 96 XE has 117k miles and needs TLC but runs well with no leaks. In the next year I can see I will need Tires, Exhaust, and Sway Bar Links. What a better excuse to get Performance parts.

Here is a Pic:

[elwesso]

This 96 XE has 117k miles and needs TLC but runs well with no leaks. In the next year I can see I will need Tires, Exhaust, and Sway Bar Links. What a better excuse to get Performance parts.

Here is a Pic:

I LIKE THAT ATTITUDE!!! : )

Chiltons?? Haynes??? Come on now, we dont mess around here.. maybe for the domestic guys but not for nissan. You can download the pathy FSM from http://www.phatg20.net .. youll need winRAR to extract the file, but im sure you already know how to get that.

nice looking pathy, looks really clean!!!

Please keep us updated about your shocks and all that fun stuff... I trust you wont leave us wishing for more details!!

[ShellshocK]

Well the Monroe Reflex Struts and Shocks were installed yesterday and what a different ride! Controlled and smooth. I'll keep you updated on the performance as they break in some. Onto the rest of the bushings to track down that elusive rattle when I hit a bump. The rattle seems to be coming from the driver front side. I'm gonna check out the sway bar links next. Any other suggestions on what could cause this? Thanks.

BTW, my dad grew up in Anderson and I still have some extended family that lives there. Small world huh?

[elwesso]

Well the Monroe Reflex Struts and Shocks were installed yesterday and what a different ride! Controlled and smooth. I'll keep you updated on the performance as they break in some. Onto the rest of the bushings to track down that elusive rattle when I hit a bump. The rattle seems to be coming from the driver front side. I'm gonna check out the sway bar links next. Any other suggestions on what could cause this? Thanks.

BTW, my dad grew up in Anderson and I still have some extended family that lives there. Small world huh?

Glad to hear about the pathy... The sway bar link could do it, its common on nissans...

Wow, small world indeed.. any chance they know or see Dr. Stinson? Maybe you wouldnt know or not....