Engine stalling

[utfan4554]

Hello. I'm brand new to these forums, and in reading around, I've already gathered some helpful information. However, I'd still like to post my issue, in case someone out there can pinpoint a solution. I drive a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder SE. About 2 months ago, my check engine light started coming on. Some of the symptoms I was experiencing were an abnormal idle, stalling (when completely stopped or slowing to a stop), hesitation, and a lack of acceleration. About a month ago, I took it to an Autozone and discovered the codes were for multiple misfires and the knock sensor. I replaced the spark plugs (which were long overdue anyway), then took it to a mechanic who replaced the rotor and cap. Thankfully, this fixed the hesitation and lack of acceleration. It also cleared the multiple misfires error code, and the check engine light has not come on since. However, it did not solve the abnormal idle and stalling. In fact, the engine has now started to stall more frequently. It starts back up with no problem, but in order to prevent it from dying out again, I have to stick it in neutral and hold down the gas pedal every time I stop at a light.

In looking at some of the forums, I’ve now got some ideas on what it could be, but I would sure hate to be shooting around in the dark, spending money on fixing things that don’t necessarily need fixing, only to find out it’s something else. So, I have a few questions:1. Could a bad knock sensor cause the engine to idle abnormally or stall completely?2. Should a mechanic be able to easily diagnose the problem and fix it (rather than take guesses at what might be wrong and charge me to fix things that may not need fixing)?3. In reading around, it sounds like it could be the MAF or maybe a clogged valve. Is this something that can be easily fixed by a mechanic, and if so, what would you estimate something like this would cost?

I’m not very mechanically inclined, so I will probably have to take it to a mechanic to fix. That being said, I hope someone can provide some answers or at least some direction. Thanks for any and all help. It is greatly appreciated.

Jon

[02pathy]

more than likely its your distributor, if it shuts off when stopped at a light, more than likely it happens when the car is hot try an see if it will do it when cold meaning put in gear when u just start off and see if it shuts off

[utfan4554]

Thank you soooo much for the suggestion. Actually, I can answer that without checking... It doesn't do it when it's cold. When I start it in the morning (or any other time), it's fine. After about 10-15 minutes of driving, the idle starts to get a little erratic when I slow down or come to a stop. Seems the longer I drive it, the more prone it is to stalling.

[02pathy]

ur welcome, word of advice go with a new one don't get the rebuildt, won't last long unless from a well trusted source i believe its the ignitor or the coil itself that fail in these things

[utfan4554]

Thanks. I think I'll give that a try. Is there any way to test a distributor to see if it's faulty? I know the mechanic I took it to previously replaced the rotor/cap, which I thought was part of the distributor. Is that not correct? Could it still be the distributor? If so, I'm thinking that's relatively inexpensive to fix, right?

[utfan4554]

Wow, only one suggestion? Am I the only one that has this problem? Can't someone help? Anyone, please?

[02pathy]

Thanks. I think I'll give that a try. Is there any way to test a distributor to see if it's faulty? I know the mechanic I took it to previously replaced the rotor/cap, which I thought was part of the distributor. Is that not correct? Could it still be the distributor? If so, I'm thinking that's relatively inexpensive to fix, right?

cap and rotor is part of ditributor, but the dist. failed internally and no it's not a cheap fix, the mechanic should know how to test it

[miata007]

I have a 92 pathfinder and also experience the same issue regarding to stalling once the car is warmed. Is there any way the distributor can be tested by a home mechanic? Someone please help!!!!

How much does this part typically cost for a Nissan?

Thanks007