P0171 error code for 2001 Nissan Pathfinder

[pathfinder9035]

i saw ur comments and wodering what sesor you took out I have a 2001 pathfinder and it gets a p0171 is that the same u had Thanks Will

ok heres what u should do... starting from the cheapest.

first...check for any leaking hoses around your intake and throttle body. check the throttle body gasket.(if your getting bad gas mileage that could mean your sensor is bad)

third... make sure u check your maf sensor for any damage, or dirt and test it to see if its working properly. some symtoms of a bad maf are...hesitation. rough idle or engine is rough when cold. driving on the highway you will notice major lack of power and changes in speed....try using electronic cleaner and clean it out thouroughly...if defected u can go out and get a 01 nissan maxima maf sensor for like 120 bucks and it can be used for the 01 pathfinder.

I went through the same thing u went through and i did what i just posted and now my pathfinder is driving butter smooth and no ses lights for the past 2 months. the light goes out on its own

good luck

[body80]

Hey guys!If anyone need one of these Maxima MAF I have one sitting here in my room. Part # 22680-2Y001

I miss read my code and bought it and it turned out that I needed a O2 sensor and not a maf. It's BRAND new, never installed. I have pictures.$75 + free shipping.Just email me. [email protected]
Modified by body80 at 12:45 AM 12/4/2008

[kevin924]

I had the same problem. Pathfinder 01 LE 3.5L around 100K miles. Engine codes showed up during highway drive. First time was P0171 and second time it was P0174.

Followed instructions on changing MAF and cleared out the codes. Well, here is the problem. After I replaced the sensor, the engine runs rough in idle, and sometimes dies while it is parked. Do I need to reset something here? BTW, I only replaced MAF itself. I am going to try the whole unit including air tube for the next step.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

[Mayito]

When did you purchase and did you buy an extended warranty to cover mechanical?

Hi everyone...hoping someone can help.

I have a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder SE 3.5.

Service Engine Light went on a month ago. I got it tested at Autozone and error of P0171 - system too lean (bank 1). Had it reset and now a month later, the light is back on and same error of P0171.

I've searched for P0171 errors on the forum, but did not find one for Pathfinder.

Also, is there any warranties under nissan that this would cover? I have 58k miles on the car.

Thanks!

[will1300]

I did have to replace the 02 sensor on Bank 1 for the code po171

[kevin924]

My 01 pathfinder has the same problem. Change of Maxima MAF fix the problem.

[Pathfinder01Babe]

I have a 01 3.5L pathy with 160,000 mi. About 2 years ago I started hearing "noises" from the engine during hotter months usually between 2nd-3rd gear and more pronounced going uphill, sounding like gas/air flow seal was not right. No SEL ever came on and everyone thought I was crazy (until they road with me on a 30 degree incline in the middle of July in 3rd gear). But with no SEL on and of course the car won't make that noise when I took it to the dealer, I felt stuck.

The SEL finally came on a year later when my pathy started to be sluggish in the mornings or afternoon when the engine was completely cold. Codes for SEL were bank 1 lean and/or bank 1 and 2 lean. I had replaced the O2 sensors, fuel filter, cleaned fuel injectors, checked for air intake leaks as suggested and finally it came down to the MAF sensor, a $500 part! Cleaning MAF did not work. After reading forums I tried a Maxima MAF (part 22680-2Y001) for $110 at the dealer and it worked perfectly! Even replaced it myself...almost too easy. Performance is great! Went to AutoZone to have SEL reset.

Is the Maxima volume air flow part 22680-2Y001 still a valid part number for the Pathfinder MAF problem?

[GoJugo]

Have 01 LE 3.5L Pathfinder w/ 99K miles.
Today the SEL came on and have PO171 code . (SEL comes on only on highway)

Engine running well. Just had all spark plugs, one ignition coil, fan belts replaced and checked transmission / transfer case levels. (svc cost $860.00)

Could the SEL (w/ code PO171) be related to changing plugs / service. Already had both 02 Sensors replaced a few years ago.

Thanks.

[GoJugo]

Have 01 LE 3.5L Pathfinder w/ 99K miles.
Today the SEL came on and have PO171 code . (SEL comes on only on highway)

Engine running well. Just had all spark plugs, one ignition coil, fan belts replaced and checked transmission / transfer case levels. (svc cost $860.00)

Could the SEL (w/ code PO171) be related to changing plugs / service. Already had both 02 Sensors replaced a few years ago.

Thanks.

[Towncivilian]

Have 01 LE 3.5L Pathfinder w/ 99K miles.
Today the SEL came on and have PO171 code . (SEL comes on only on highway)

Engine running well. Just had all spark plugs, one ignition coil, fan belts replaced and checked transmission / transfer case levels. (svc cost $860.00)

Could the SEL (w/ code PO171) be related to changing plugs / service. Already had both 02 Sensors replaced a few years ago.

Thanks.

$860 for that? Jeez... unless I'm missing something, you could have done all of that yourself for $165 or so (cost of new OEM spark plugs, one ignition coil, replacement OEM serpentine belt) and several hours of your time, if you were so inclined of course.

Anyway, have you tried cleaning your MAF sensor, to begin with? There is a guide near the bottom of the first post in this topic. If that doesn't work, you can try scouring your local junkyards for a PF or Maxima MAF sensor and see if swapping it out fixes your issue, eat the cost of a new Maxima MAF, or see if one of us lives near you to test swapping the sensor.

[Densetsu]

Also, it's P0171, with a zero, not the letter O. Just a little tip if you tried doing searches beforehand and didn't find much info.

[vincefx1]

I worked on a 2003 Pathfinder with the infamous p0171. Bank 1 lean code. The problem is not the Mass Air flow. It's a fuel trim issue. hook up a scan tool that reads trims. You will have either a short term trim issue or a long term trim issue. My short trim was 25%. Way too high. Long trim was at 13%. Also too high. Run the engine hot first. By the way, this code is for Bank 1. p0174 is for Bank 2. bank 1 is the 1st bank when you open the hood and look at the engine ( Facing it). When the engine is hot, and you see the trims too high, meaning , not in the negative, shut the engine off, dis-connect both O2 sensor connectors, clean them, then slightly twist the pins and then re-connect the connectors. Start the engine, and rev it a minute. Let it idle, and you will see the trims go to normal. This procedure is to be considered only when you know there are no vacuum leaks, etc...

[fastpakr]

I'll post a follow up to this once the sensor arrives, but I just ordered a new OEM Maxima sensor on eBay for $30. Part number is correct, 22680-2Y001. Here's the link. Hopefully it's legit, seller feedback is certainly good.

[fastpakr]

The new sensor came in today. It does -not- appear to be OEM, but it's definitely brand new and clearly labeled with the correct Nissan part number. I installed it, cleared the codes, and went for a drive. My long and short term fuel trims are back to reasonable numbers and the P0171 code has not reappeared. Performance is also up significantly. Before, anytime the engine went above 3500rpm or so power would fall off. That's totally resolved now and I'm seeing linear acceleration through to redline. I can only assume the airflow readings on the old sensor were flatlining above 3500rpm.

Long story short, I'm very happy with the results of a) using the Maxima MAF as a substitute, and b) this eBay seller's product for $30.

[Towncivilian]

Thanks for sharing your results, I'm glad you were able to fix your problem so inexpensively.

[Peace4All]

I am thankful to people who posted several solutions on internet. I decided to return the favors and post the solution which worked for me to help others.

CAR
====
2001 Nissan Pathfinder LE.
Original owner, well maintained, always serviced at Nissan Dealerships.

ISSUE SYMPTOMS
================
Check Engine light On.
Service Fault Codes : P0171 - System Too Lean Bank 1
Getting low 14 MPG also and there was no way it would pass smog test.

DIY Steps:
=========

1) The Nissan Dealership near San Jose, CA said that it is Emissions system issue and it would cost about $650 to diagnose and fix MAF sensor and/or O2 sensor, depending on diagnosis. I am not too knowledgeable on cars but as my car is now 16 years old, I decided to just try fixing this issue myself using youtube and internet forums.

2) On internet forums I found that the problem is mostly with air filter, MAF sensor or O2 sensors. So to save money, I started from lowest hanging fruit. I found the Engine Air Filter was very dirty. I found a replacement for about $20 on Amazon and installed it myself in just 10 minutes. The engine air filter in this car is very easily accessible and there are youtube videos about it.

3) After couple days, I had a mechanic clean Mass Air Flow sensor for about $35. But Check Engine Light came back on after couple of days.

4) I bought a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder Mass Air Flow Sensor from Amazon. I could not replace the housing as it was too tough and found it unnecessary. So I removed the sensor from its housing and only used the sensor. It took me 10 minutes to replace the MAF sensor.

$44 - Brand New Mass Air Flow Sensor Meter MAF AFM 3.5L V6 Oem Fit MF4W00. - AIP Electronics.


5) I returned to the mechanic to help reset/clear the Check Engine Light and OBD codes

6) It took couple days and car still ran rough. After refueling ( I use 87 with gasoline instead of 85 or 91 ), now I get high MPG ( over 18 ) and car runs like new! It's been over a month now, car passed smog test. The Check Engine Light has not returned. I feel great for saving over $700. It also gave me satisfaction and confidence of try to fix future issues on my own.


CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM
========================
I think the cause of the issue was MAF failure. After my last oil change, the mechanic had not fixed loose oil gasket and oil dripped oil on my garage floor. For several days I ignored it thinking it was temporary and will go away. However, it did not go away until I had to go back to mechanic and fix the gasket.

During this time, I think oil fumes got pulled into the filter and even the MAF sensor, causing Check Engine Light to come on after few days. I think it damaged the MAF sensor beyond cleaning or repair.

I believe this could have started the whole chain of problems for me. So next time you see any of your cars dripping oil, get it fixed quickly and replace your engine air filter ASAP.

[CzarinaRukhina]

I replaced the gas cap on my 2001.5 Pathfinder. Also, I added one can of oil leak seal to the oil and topped it off at Valvoline. A week later, allowing for 2 cycles of whateveritis to run above 2 RPM my check engine light is no longer on. Yay.

[paranoidjack]

i saw ur comments and wodering what sesor you took out I have a 2001 pathfinder and it gets a p0171 is that the same u had Thanks Will

Will, per the folks above you want to replace the MAF sensor.

The OEM nissan part is 22680-2Y001 for a 2000/01/02 Nissan Maxima MAF sensor - which is the same as yours (apparently). Just unbolt the air tubing, replace, and you're done.