Few Questions from a new QX4 owner

[rubiconxj]

Hi,

I just bought a 01 QX4 and I have a prob with the heater.

1. It won't blow hot air unless I am driving or I have the rpms up. I checked coolant level and the overflow is at min. Any thought?

2. Also the clock works, but cannot be set. The little knob just turns and turns. Is there anything special I should be doing?

3. I need to get the factory deck out because of the dreaded err2, can anyone explain how to remove the trim panel without breaking any tabs or clips?

4. Where can I get a rear window deflector?

5. Will the factory titanium PFinder brush guard wrap around the front fascia of the QX$?

Thanks in advance,

Jonathan

PS I am so glad I found this site.

[elwesso]

Welcome to NICO jonathan... Im not sure about everythin,g but I will answer what I can....

1. Check your coolant level and add as necessary, you could just be low... Does the engine warm up at a normal rate (no more than 7-10 mins after starting)? If it takes too long for your coolant to warm up, you could have a Tstat problem. not a big issue... just let me know. I have other ideas if that doesnt work.

2. I would guess someone tried to turn it too hard and snapped it off... Never actually heard of this happening but you set the clock by just turning it a little nad the hands move electronically, not like you would set a watch where you turn the dial which directly moves the hands....

3. Give me some time, ill post the whole excerpt from the manual... its not terribly hard, you just have to know the order to remove stuff. to give you a rough idea, you will remove the vent thing right above the radio HU first (its just held in with clips above the vents, and then that exposes screws to remove the thing around the HU... From there the HU is just held in with a couple screws... seems pretty easy, might give it a try but if you need those diagrams let me know!

im not sure about the other 2, hopefully some other QX/Pathy owner will come through and let you know

[rubiconxj]

1. I will add coolant after work today. I am almost certain that is what it is because the fan speed automatically turns up and down and the A/C works just fine. When I first got it I did notice that the coolant gauge needle bounced around some, but I haven't noticed that lately.

2. Any solution to fixing that. I thought about removing the clock and taking it to a watch repair guy, but if it doesn't work mechanically like a watch no sense in doing that. I had to disconnect the battery for an hour to adjust for daylight savings and I dread having to do it for 11 hrs when the time changes again.

3. I'll give it a try. Any suggestions on replacing the HU. From what I read all the factory in-dash 6 disc changers are crap. I did think about getting a head unit with changer controls and adding the factory cd changer to the rear.

Thanks for your help. I have lots of questions. This is the first Nissan product I've owned in a while. I have a 10th Anniv. 280ZX but it usually goes to the mechanic.

[elwesso]

any nissan bose will fit, and plug in... You could get one from an earlier pathfinder or something along those lines!

I woudl just try and find a used clock and replace at the same time as taking the radio out.

[rubiconxj]

Are the HU the same shape to fit in the dash? And will steering wheel controls work?

Can you suggest any place to look for the clock? Or where to find a part #?

[rubiconxj]

OK, coolant is full. I made sure of that. Next suggestion on why the heater blows cold when idling?

[elwesso]

Did you investigate the Tstat at all?

[rubiconxj]

Actually I haven't. Is it any different than on say an American vehicle? 1. With a completely cold engine remove the radiator cap.2. Turn on the car and wait for it to get to normal operating temp.3. Observe inside the radiator and watch for the level of coolant to get sucked down.4. Feel the upper radiator hose to see if it is hot. If it is then the thermostat is working properly.

Do you know if there is a heater control valve? Other than low coolant that was my first guess. You can't really see much under the hood.

Is that the general procedure, unless you want to remove it and throw it in boiling water to see if it opens.

[elwesso]

id just replace it....... it only costs $10.

thta is an, INTERESTING test for the Tstat....

[rubiconxj]

You'd be surprised how many bad t-stats there are right from the auto parts store. On some cars where it is a pain to get to the tstat housing it's a good idea to test them. I will replace it when I get a chance. I just don't think that is it though. Usually they are stuck open or closed, I don't see how that would case the heater temp to change that quickly and dramatically. In a matter of driving 30 feet the air goes from very cool to hot as hell.

[KoukiS14]

any chance of losing your face when running that test?

[elwesso]

You'd be surprised how many bad t-stats there are right from the auto parts store. On some cars where it is a pain to get to the tstat housing it's a good idea to test them. I will replace it when I get a chance. I just don't think that is it though. Usually they are stuck open or closed, I don't see how that would case the heater temp to change that quickly and dramatically. In a matter of driving 30 feet the air goes from very cool to hot as hell.

this is why we DONT USE PARTS STORES! We use OEM only!!!!

Im not sure if thats whats causing it either.... there might be a control valve, i wil check into that, but i bet even if there was, itd be hell and back to replace.

EDIT: I just looked in the parts book and there is no heater control valve. heater mixture is controlled by the heater mix door....

[rubiconxj]

any chance of losing your face when running that test?

I guess if your head's small enough to fit in the radiator

[rubiconxj]

Well I was able to procure a FACTORY service manual so I will be going through the step by step diagnosis this weekend.

As far as the OEM parts thing, if that was true there would be alot of plain looking, slow, uninteresting cars roaming the street. Not to mention alot of companies would be out of business and SEMA well that would be just a pipe dream.

Thanks for you help so far.

Jonathan

[elwesso]

Well I was able to procure a FACTORY service manual so I will be going through the step by step diagnosis this weekend.

As far as the OEM parts thing, if that was true there would be alot of plain looking, slow, uninteresting cars roaming the street. Not to mention alot of companies would be out of business and SEMA well that would be just a pipe dream.

Thanks for you help so far.

Jonathan

im just talking about replacement parts... There are certain good aftermarket ones, but for basic engine components, you have very little chance of getting a defective or crappy part vs aftermarket..

obviously im a big fan of aftermarket parts, thats not what this debate is about....

[rubiconxj]

Point taken. I still like to upgrade parts as the fail. Often they are cheaper than OEM and have better performance. (e.g. brakes, shocks, etc.).

[KoukiS14]

I guess if your head's small enough to fit in the radiator

touche, sir. . touche :o

[rubiconxj]

Did you investigate the Tstat at all?

Well after reading through the service manual and performing the self diagnosis check for the HVAC (all was working properly), I'm back to the tstat. Doesn't look like much fun replacing it. Has anyone ever done this, if not what would be a fair price from a shop? I am so frustrated with this damn thing.

[rubiconxj]

Finally solved the problem. I had air in the cooling systems. Just had to burp it and now it seems to work fine. Thanks for the input.

Jonathan