Weird issue with 1998 QX4

[CLJONES73]

I recently purchased a nice (cheap) 1998 QX4 with 155k miles. The guy I purchased it from said it didn't even start and it had been sitting for about a year. I asked him to be more specific as to why he parked it. He told me it just died on him one day on his way home. He waited several minutes and fired it back up, then it dies on him a couple more miles down the road. He said it didn't overheat.

We got there and jump started it just fine. It idled smooth and seemed to not have any issue except for a very low battery. I gave him the money and took off up the street after it idled in the driveway for over 5 minutes. I got about 4 blocks and it just died, temp gauge was in a normal position and it did not seem hot at all. Threw a half tank of fresh gas in it. We jump started it and it actually ran great for 20 blocks this time before it shut off. Only two times during that time did the RPM's waver/sputter, it just shut off. Once again, the temp gauge was normal. CEL was on.

Had it towed to my house and last night I jump started it and pulled Codes P0505, P0325, P0450, and P1105. It started fine and idled smooth. We cleared the codes and it ran for several minutes before it died again. CEL came on and we pulled codes P1320 and P0505 off of it this time.

Need some direction on what to start replacing. I am extremely limited on time and money, but would like to get this thing fixed for my daughter to drive.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

-Chris

[Hawairish]

TIme to virtually bust out the Factory Service Manual!

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/QX4/1998_QX4/

Reference those codes in the EC section. Because you have multiple codes, it's best that you familiarize yourself with each potential issue before replacing anything. The P0505 one in particular requires attention; I believe there are several posts on the topic here at NICO. The FSM will provide some basic diagnostics you may be able to perform as well.

Sorry to not be of any direct help.

[04pathse]

CEL came on and we pulled codes P1320 and P0505 off of it this time.

These two codes pertain to the IACV and Coil Packs and or Spark plugs.

[fueler]

Knock sensor is an easy one to set off on this motor - I would ignore that code.

The IACV and EVAP ones both run off the same vacuum lines.... I would inspect both of them, they are mounted to intake manifold.

P1320 i think is misfire, check wires, replace plugs with new NGK

[yeldogt]

Check the fuel pressure -- some cars will idle all day long. When you go to drive them they don't get enough fuel and die.

Easy check with a pressure gauge.

[CLJONES73]

So, with the holidays I did not mess with the QX4 much at all. Finally got a chance to get it home in to my garage. From sitting so long the battery was extremely low/dead. Upon trying to jump start it from my friends driveway it would not start. Just cranked and cranked with the smell of gas. Got it on the trailer and in my garage and on a 2amp charge overnight.

While it was charging I got the MAF cleaned with the appropriate cleaner and let it dry overnight. I changed the plugs because they looked nasty. I also checked the distributor cap and it was in pretty good shape. Weird thing when I plugged the cap back in, the plug went in about 1/8th of an inch further that it originally went on. I could tell this because of the dirt mark...hmmmmmm. So the next morning with the clean MAF, new plugs, and the cap FULLY plugged in..... it fired up and ran like a top. I ran it up and down my street for about thirty minutes and it did not skip a beat yesterday!!

Thank you guys for the input and direction, I will keep this thread updated.

-Chris

[Freeze Time]

This is great news. I have a 98 QX4 but with 20,000 miles less and so far, it's been running great after I took care of the death wobble and got a new distributor and air flow meter. I hope those are the only fixes I have to do for awhile. Next up are brakes and tires but that's with any car.