x-post: Problems with my 2001 Pathfinder!

[stepchow]

Well, had to take my 2001 Pathfinder SE to the dealership today. The SES initially came on back in Dec.04, but I didn't notice any difference in the trucks' behavior and the SES went out about in a day or so. Then in Jan.05 the SES started blinking for a bit and stayed lit. This was when I had initially started the car in the morning and I noticed that the car kind of "hesitated" during it's normal "cranking cycle". My first thought was that it was a bad coil. Anyways, when I got into the car, I noticed the idle was pretty rough and the car was shaking. I let it warm up a bit to see if it made a difference or not, but it didn't. Took it for a quick spin and the throttle response was poor and it felt like there was no power. I was in a rush to work that day, so decided to drive it the short distance to the hospital where I worked (yeah I know I shouldn't have driven it, but I was on call that night and there were a bazillion patients in the ER). Anyways, after a short drive, the idle went back to normal, car stopped shaking and all was good (the SES was on solid at this time). This scenario happened about 2-3 times in total over a course of 2-3 weeks. I finally had some time to bring the truck into the dealership to get it checked and this is what they found:

- bad coil- bad TPS sensor- need new sparkplugs- new front brakes- new air filter- cracked timing belt needs replacement

They want just over $900 bucks to fix everything (this incl parts and labor). Now I'm pretty mechanically inclined and I could probably do all of this myself, but I honestly don't have the time nor the garage here (I just moved) to do it all. Just wanted to know if their quote was reasonable. Thanks everyone!

[Chedman13]

I had the same problem (but not as many).

I paid $700 to replace ALL 6 coils including labor.

Get these fixed at the dealer:- bad coil- bad TPS sensor- need new sparkplugs- new front brakes- cracked timing belt needs replacement

Fix yourself:-air filter (dealer cost is like $50) autozone for $10+install yourself in 10 seconds.

If you're changing your brakes, I'd upgrade to cross drilled. They go for cheap on ebay or online. Just a suggestion.

Besides that, the price looks good, depending on how many bad coils you have. Just make sure you get some kind of warranty on the parts and labor.

Also, coils are in electrical and in ciruit (spelling) so if one goes, you most likely should replace all to be safe. That's what I did. Just my two cents.

[Axelpkt]

- cracked timing belt needs replacement

Your 01 if it has the 3.5 (which it should) doesn't have a timing belt, it has a chain. The 3.3 has a belt but you shouldn't have that in your truck

[Chedman13]

are you sure? i had my timing belt replaced by the dealer because it was cracked.

I just looked in there, and it definitely looks like a belt. i could be wrong.

If you're right about the chain, i was taken by the dealership.

[stepchow]

Just picked up the truck from the dealership. Seems to be running pretty good, amazing what new brake pads feel like! Anyways, yes, the 2001+ have the VQ engine. And it was my mistake, it wasn't the timing belt (we have chains), it was the drive belts. Also it wasn't the TPS sensor, but the VTC sensor. What the heck is a VTC sensor anyways?!

Chedman: I'd double check to see if it wasn't a drive belt rather than the timing belt that was changed. If they listed it as a "timing belt" on your invoice, I'd go in and ask some questions.