Nissan Pathfinder & Nissan Alt
A 1991 Nissan Pathfinder Transmission and a 1999 Nissan Altima with a Serious Problem
Dec 14, 2006
Question: Nissan Pathfinder Transmission Problems
My 1991 Nissan Pathfinder quit pulling with no signs of transmission problem. I checked the smell and level of the fluid with all being okay. I did find some wires that had shorted and I am not sure what they went to. I replaced the damaged wire and checked the relay that they connected to as best I could.
However in my Haynes manual I found that there is a Anti-dieseling solenoid diagram that is somehow attached to an inhibitor switch for the automatic transmission. My Pathfinder has a very rich smell of exhaust and seams to be idling high. Is there any connection here?
I am a female and have a hard time getting anyone who knows about working on cars to listen to me. Also I had my tail lights blow fuses and I have got this problem stopped and read that there is a A/T control unit. How can I check this to see if maybe something damaged it as well. Please let me know if I am on a wild goose chase.
Thank You,
Dawn
Answer:
Well Dawn I will listen to you and try to help you. First off, the 1991 Nissan Pathfinder does not have an Anti-Dieseling Solenoid (ADS). The ADS was used on carbureted engines to shut off the flow of fuel to the engine when it was turned off. It is mounted in the side of the carburetor and not on the transmission. Fuel injected engines don't need an ADS since fuel flow is shut off by the injectors.
The first thing to do is check the Electronic Control unit for Diagnostic Trouble Codes. If there are no codes there then we can access the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) for codes. This is a rather complicated procedure, too lengthy to describe here but it can be found in the Chilton's or MOTORS service manuals available in the reference section of the Public Library or from AllDataDIY.
If you find no codes in either the ECU or TCU then you have an internal transmission problem. In that case you would need to open the transmission case to find the problem.
Question: Nissan Sudden Acceleration
Good Morning, I am desperately seeking help for my mother, as recent troubles with her vehicle have left her without transportation.
For the past few years her 1999 Nissan Altima will "take off" always as she is coming to a stop. The car will suddenly surge forward, with the engine racing, and she is unable to stop it. The floor mat is not stuck on the pedal.
This experience has happened to her many times, and luckily she has been at a location where she can turn the car off immediately. However, last week she was pulling into a parking spot, and the car revved forward and she struck another vehicle. She is now terrified to drive this car, as it is a serious danger to herself and others.
She has taken her car to several shops, and none have seen, nor been able to diagnose this problem. I used to own a 1987 Mercury Cougar that did the exact same thing. Took it to many dealer and repair shops, to no avail. At the time, I was told that the car must be exhibiting the problem to be able to diagnose it.
The car was sold with this problem still occurring.
Any help you can provide would be so greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much.
Jenna
Answer:
What I suggest you do Jenna is to take it to a Nissan Dealer describe the problem you are having and leave the car with them. Let them drive it as much as they need to duplicate the problem. They can also access a nationwide database where they can enter the symptoms and find other Nissan vehicles with the same symptoms and what was done to repair it. I know this came in handy with my Nissan Van when I had a really weird problem. Since the vehicle is not safe to drive there shouldn't be any problem leaving it with them until it's fixed.
