Nissan Pathfinder (2009 year). Manual - part 366

EC-942

< SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS >

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ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM SYMPTOMS

SYMPTOM

Reference 
page

HARD/NO ST

AR

T/REST

AR

T (EXCP

. 

HA)

E

N

GI

N

E

 ST

AL

L

HESIT

A

TION/S

U

R

GING/F

LA

T SP

OT

SP

ARK KNOCK/DE

T

O

NA

TION

LACK OF POWE

R/POOR

 ACCELERA

TIO

N

HIGH IDL

E

/L

OW

 IDL

E

ROUG

H IDLE/HU

N

TING

IDL

ING VIBRA

T

ION

SLO

W

/NO RETURN T

O

 IDLE

OVERHEA

T

S/W

A

TE

R

 TEMPERA

T

URE 

HIGH

EXCES

SIVE F

U

EL CONSUMP

T

ION

EXCES

SIVE OI

L CONSUMP

T

IO

N

BA

TTE

R

Y

 DEAD (UN

D

E

R

 CH

A

R

GE)

Warranty symptom code

AA

AB

AC

AD

AE

AF

AG

AH

AJ

AK

AL

AM

HA

Fuel

Fuel tank

5

5

FL-6

Fuel piping

5

5

5

5

5

5

FL-5

Vapor lock

—

Valve deposit

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

—

Poor fuel (Heavy weight gasoline, 
Low octane)

—

Air

Air duct

5

5

5

5

5

5

EM-167

Air cleaner

EM-167

Air leakage from air duct
(Mass air flow sensor — electric 
throttle control actuator)

5

5

5

5

EM-167

Electric throttle control actuator

EM-168

Air leakage from intake manifold/
Collector/Gasket

EM-168

Cranking

Battery

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

PG-5

Generator circuit

CHG-5

Starter circuit

3

STR-5

Signal plate

6

EM-195

Park/neutral position (PNP) sig-
nal

4

TM-51

Engine

Cylinder head

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

EM-210

Cylinder head gasket

4

3

Cylinder block

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

4

EM-225

Piston

Piston ring

Connecting rod

Bearing

Crankshaft

Valve 
mecha-
nism

Timing chain

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

EM-187

Camshaft

EM-195

Intake valve timing control

EM-187

Intake valve

3

EM-210

Exhaust valve

2009 Pathfinder

ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM SYMPTOMS

EC-943

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1 - 6: The numbers refer to the order of inspection.

Exhaust

Exhaust manifold/Tube/Muffler/
Gasket

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

EM-172

Three way catalyst

Lubrica-
tion

Oil pan/Oil strainer/Oil pump/Oil 
filter/Oil gallery/Oil cooler

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

LU-27
LU-28

 

LU-30

 

LU-32

Oil level (Low)/Filthy oil

LU-24

Cooling

Radiator/Hose/Radiator filler cap

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

4

5

CO-47

Thermostat

5

CO-54

Water pump

CO-52

Water gallery

CO-36

Cooling fan

5

CO-49
CO-50

Coolant level (Low)/Contaminat-
ed coolant

5

CO-40

NVIS (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System — 
NATS)

1

1

SEC-5

 or 

SEC-121

SYMPTOM

Reference 
page

HARD/NO S

T

A

R

T/RES

T

A

R

T (E

XCP

. HA)

E

N

GINE

 ST

ALL

HES

IT

A

TION/SURGING/FLA

T

 SPOT

S

P

ARK KNOC

K

/DET

O

NA

TI

ON

LACK OF 

POWER/POOR ACCELERA

TION

HIG

H

 IDL

E

/L

OW

 ID

LE

ROUGH IDLE/HUNTING

ID

LING VI

BRA

T

ION

S

L

OW/NO RETU

RN 

T

O

 ID

LE

OVERHEA

T

S

/W

A

TER TEMPERA

T

URE HIG

H

E

X

CESSIVE

 FUEL CON

S

UMP

T

ION

E

X

CESSIVE

 OIL 

C

O

NSUMP

T

ION

B

A

TTER

Y 

DEAD (UNDER CHARGE)

Warranty symptom code

AA

AB

AC

AD

AE

AF

AG

AH

AJ

AK

AL

AM

HA

2009 Pathfinder

EC-944

< SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS >

[VK56DE]

NORMAL OPERATING CONDITION

NORMAL OPERATING CONDITION

Fuel Cut Control (at No Load and High Engine Speed)

INFOID:0000000003936876

INPUT/OUTPUT SIGNAL CHART

*: This signal is sent to the ECM via the CAN communication line.

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

If the engine speed is above 1,800 rpm under no load (for example, the selector lever position is neutral and
engine speed over is 1,800 rpm) fuel will be cut off after some time. The exact time when the fuel is cut off var-
ies based on engine speed.
Fuel cut will be operated until the engine speed reaches 1,500 rpm, then fuel cut will be cancelled.
NOTE:
This function is different from deceleration control listed under 

EC-511, "System Description"

.

Sensor

Input signal to ECM

ECM function

Actuator

Accelerator pedal position sensor

Accelerator pedal position

Fuel cut control

Fuel injector

Engine coolant temperature sensor

Engine coolant temperature

Crankshaft position sensor (POS)
Camshaft position sensor (PHASE)

Engine speed

Unified meter control unit

Neutral position

Vehicle speed*

2009 Pathfinder

PRECAUTIONS

EC-945

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PRECAUTION

PRECAUTIONS

Precaution for Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) "AIR BAG" and "SEAT BELT 
PRE-TENSIONER"

INFOID:0000000003936877

The Supplemental Restraint System such as “AIR BAG” and “SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER”, used along
with a front seat belt, helps to reduce the risk or severity of injury to the driver and front passenger for certain
types of collision. This system includes seat belt switch inputs and dual stage front air bag modules. The SRS
system uses the seat belt switches to determine the front air bag deployment, and may only deploy one front
air bag, depending on the severity of a collision and whether the front occupants are belted or unbelted.
Information necessary to service the system safely is included in the SRS and SB section of this Service Man-
ual.

WARNING:

• To avoid rendering the SRS inoperative, which could increase the risk of personal injury or death in

the event of a collision which would result in air bag inflation, all maintenance must be performed by
an authorized NISSAN/INFINITI dealer.

• Improper maintenance, including incorrect removal and installation of the SRS, can lead to personal

injury caused by unintentional activation of the system. For removal of Spiral Cable and Air Bag
Module, see the SRS section.

• Never use electrical test equipment on any circuit related to the SRS unless instructed to in this Ser-

vice Manual. SRS wiring harnesses can be identified by yellow and/or orange harnesses or harness
connectors.

On Board Diagnosis (OBD) System of Engine and A/T

INFOID:0000000003936878

The ECM has an on board diagnostic system. It will illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) to warn the
driver of a malfunction causing emission deterioration.

CAUTION:

• Always turn the ignition switch OFF and disconnect the negative battery cable before any repair or

inspection work. The open/short circuit of related switches, sensors, solenoid valves, etc. will cause
the MIL to illuminate.

• Always connect and lock the connectors securely after work. A loose (unlocked) connector will

cause the MIL to illuminate due to the open circuit. (Check that the connector is free from water,
grease, dirt, bent terminals, etc.)

• Certain systems and components, especially those related to OBD, may use a new style slide-lock-

ing type harness connector. For description and how to disconnect, refer to 

PG-67, "Description"

.

• Always route and secure the harnesses properly after work. The interference of the harness with a

bracket, etc. may cause the MIL to illuminate due to the short circuit.

• Always connect rubber tubes properly after work. A misconnected or disconnected rubber tube may

cause the MIL to illuminate due to the malfunction of the EVAP system or fuel injection system, etc.

• Always erase the unnecessary malfunction information (repairs completed) from the ECM and TCM

(Transmission control module) before returning the vehicle to the customer.

Precaution

INFOID:0000000003936879

• Always use a 12 volt battery as power source.
• Never attempt to disconnect battery cables while engine is

running.

• Before connecting or disconnecting the ECM harness con-

nector, turn ignition switch OFF and disconnect negative bat-
tery cable. Failure to do so may damage the ECM because
battery voltage is applied to ECM even if ignition switch is
turned OFF.

• Before removing parts, turn ignition switch OFF and then dis-

connect negative battery cable.

SEF289H

2009 Pathfinder

EC-946

< PRECAUTION >

[VK56DE]

PRECAUTIONS

• Never disassemble ECM.
• If a battery cable is disconnected, the memory will return to

the ECM value.
The ECM will now start to self-control at its initial value. Thus,
engine operation can vary slightly in this case. However, this
is not an indication of a malfunction. Never replace parts
because of a slight variation.

• If the battery is disconnected, the following emission-related

diagnostic information will be cleared within 24 hours.

- Diagnostic trouble codes
- 1st trip diagnostic trouble codes
- Freeze frame data
- 1st trip freeze frame data
- System readiness test (SRT) codes
- Test values
• When connecting ECM harness connector, fasten it securely

with a lever as far as it will go as shown in the figure.

• When connecting or disconnecting pin connectors into or

from ECM, never damage pin terminals (bends or breaks).
Check that there are not any bends or breaks on ECM pin ter-
minal, when connecting pin connectors.

• Securely connect ECM harness connectors.

A poor connection can cause an extremely high (surge) volt-
age to develop in coil and condenser, thus resulting in dam-
age to ICs.

• Keep engine control system harness at least 10 cm (4 in) away

from adjacent harness, to prevent engine control system mal-
functions due to receiving external noise, degraded operation
of ICs, etc.

• Keep engine control system parts and harness dry.
• Before replacing ECM, perform ECM Terminals and Reference

Value inspection and check that ECM functions properly.
Refer to 

EC-890, "ECM Terminal and Reference Value"

.

• Handle mass air flow sensor carefully to avoid damage.
• Never disassemble mass air flow sensor.
• Never clean mass air flow sensor with any type of detergent.
• Never disassemble electric throttle control actuator.
• Even a slight leakage in the air intake system can cause seri-

ous incidents.

• Never shock or jar the camshaft position sensor (PHASE),

crankshaft position sensor (POS).

PBIB1164E

PBIB1512E

PBIB0090E

MEF040D

2009 Pathfinder

PRECAUTIONS

EC-947

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• After performing each TROUBLE DIAGNOSIS, perform DTC

Confirmation Procedure or Overall Function Check.
The DTC should not be displayed in the DTC Confirmation
Procedure if the repair is completed. The Overall Function
Check should be a good result if the repair is completed.

• When measuring ECM signals with a circuit tester, never allow

the two tester probes to contact.
Accidental contact of probes will cause a short circuit and
damage the ECM power transistor.

• Never use ECM ground terminals when measuring input/out-

put voltage. Doing so may result in damage to the ECM's tran-
sistor. Use a ground other than ECM terminals, such as the
ground.

• B1 indicates bank 1, B2 indicates bank 2 as shown in the fig-

ure.

SEF217U

SEF348N

PBIB1144E

2009 Pathfinder

EC-948

< PRECAUTION >

[VK56DE]

PRECAUTIONS

• Never operate fuel pump when there is no fuel in lines.
• Tighten fuel hose clamps to the specified torque.

• Never depress accelerator pedal when starting.
• Immediately after starting, do not rev up engine unnecessar-

ily.

• Never rev up engine just prior to shutdown.

• When installing C.B. ham radio or a mobile phone, always

observe the following as it may adversely affect electronic
control systems depending on installation location.

- Keep the antenna as far as possible from the electronic con-

trol units.

- Keep the antenna feeder line more than 20 cm (8 in) away

from the harness of electronic controls.
Never let them run parallel for a long distance.

- Adjust the antenna and feeder line so that the standing-wave

radio can be kept smaller.

- Always ground the radio to vehicle body.

BBIA0529E

SEF709Y

SEF708Y

2009 Pathfinder

PREPARATION

EC-949

< PREPARATION >

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PREPARATION

PREPARATION

Special Service Tool

INFOID:0000000003936880

The actual shapes of Kent-Moore tools may differ from those of special service tools illustrated here.

Commercial Service Tool

INFOID:0000000003936881

Tool number
(Kent-Moore No.) 
Tool name

Description

(J-44321)
Fuel pressure gauge 
kit

Checks fuel pressure 

(J-44321-6)
Fuel pressure adapter

Connects fuel pressure gauge to quick connector 
type fuel lines.

(J-45488)
Quick connector re-
lease

Removes fuel tube quick connectors in engine 
room.

LEC642

LBIA0376E

PBIC0198E

Tool name
(Kent-Moore No.)

Description

Leak detector 
i.e.: (J-41416)

Locates the EVAP leak

EVAP service port 
adapter
i.e.: (J-41413-OBD)

Applies positive pressure through EVAP service 
port

S-NT703

S-NT704

2009 Pathfinder