Help - 2000 Pathfinder 3.3 Idle & Shifting Issues

[bgruhn76]

Ok, so after over an hour of digging through this site, as well as others, and tons of Googling & YouTube watching...I have tried nearly everything I can find to cure this issue. It now has different symptoms. Not sure if I am making progress, or regressing. lol

It all started last year when I was battling a rough idle and sputtering/hesitation/stalling. After throwing quite a few new parts at her, it turned out that the distributor was the culprit. The transmission was flawless until that particular day. Then, apparently in our quest to resolve the idle issues, we messed with the IACV, the TPS, and some screws. I have put them back to where the factory orange paint lines are though, but until about an hour ago, the truck ran beautifully, except when easy on the gas, the transmission would shift from 1st to 2nd, then back to first, rev to 3,000 and shift back to 2nd, then to 3rd, and OD. If under accel, it shifting fine. II was hoping and praying it was not a trans issue. So tonight I had some time (she isn't my daily driver) to mess with the TPS as many forums and YouTube videos suggested. Well, low and behold, the transmission now shifts normally up...but has no passing/kickdown trigger....and the idle out of gear is about 975-1025 according to my scanner app....and in gear, surges from 750-1100.

Help!!! I can't seem to win. I know it has to be sensor or some adjustor related, I just don't know what else to look at. I verified timing is good, I did find a small vacuum line by the firewall that was disconnected from the intake plenum. I reattached, but didn't seem to help anything.

Please...ideas??!! I have some goodies coming for her, and want this worry to be gone before I start adding them. (lift, lights, etc).

Thanks in advance!!! I love this forum! If need be I can upload videos upon request to my YouTube channel

[rgk]

Have you performed the idle relearn?

[bgruhn76]

The 2000 3.3 doesn't have same procedure as the article on here

[rgk]

Have you looked for the idle relearn procedure in your model's service manual? They are all located in the General Information and FAQ sticky.

[bgruhn76]

All it says in the FSM is to disconnect battery for 30-45 min. Then adjust TPS to 0.43-0.45v
I don't see a way to put a volt meter on it with it plugged in. I found a video with that exact procedure, but my plugs aren't hollow to allow me to put a pig tail wire in it for easy access.
I took it to a friends shop. Scanned it.
TPS and Knock sensor codes.
Ordered TPS. Will try that and adjust volts with scanner hooked up I guess.
Knock sensor has been like that since I bought it. But this issue is newer.

Cleaned the MAF and replaced PCV hose today also.

I made a video of what it's doing at a stop. When driving, it seems to up shift better, but still no kick down or passing gear. Ugh!

I know this is electronic issue, as it down shifts with the shifter just fine.

[rgk]

Seeing as how you said you messed with the TPS, you may just have to adjust it.

If you don't have access to a scanner, you may be able to backprobe with a voltmeter by connecting some very thin wires to your test leads and sticking them through the rubber portion in the back of your connector to make contact with the wire.

Anyways, glad to hear you have a TPS code. The symptoms sound like that of a bad or mis-adjusted TPS. It sounds like you are on your way to fixing it.

[bgruhn76]

Yeah that's what I'm thinking too. My connector doesn't allow for a lead wire to hang out without notching it. Might try that too. It's the white wire right? Maybe I can put a stereo connector T on it and have a quick access lead option.