2005 pathfinder 4WD system making noise

sgott17 · Feb 15th, 2006, 11:22 AM

I have a 2005 pathfinder and I live on the East Coast where we just had alot of snow. I needed the 4WD and I am not really familiar with the slip differential. When it is in 4WD and the wheels is turned in one direction or another and the wheels start to spin I hear this noise that seems to be coming from the transmission or the transfer case. The slip light is blinking while this noise is happening. The noise is hard to describe, almost like the same noise that the ABS makes when the wheels are skidding. I know its not the ABS because the brakes are not applied. Is this normal? When the wheels are straight and they spin, the noise is there but not as dramatic. It could just be normal for the slip differential, but to be safe I am taking it in to Nissan and let them take a look!

KSpider · Feb 15th, 2006, 11:32 AM

This probably IS the ABS. Since Traction Control was introduced, it has always used the ABS system sensors and controls to reduce power in spinning wheels and increase power in wheels that are getting traction... Correct me If I am wrong, but this sounds very normal.

bender031 · Feb 15th, 2006, 11:34 AM

that is your ABLS (antilock brake limited slip) and it is the abs noise because the abs kicks in and stops the wheel that is spinning and sends power to another. once you are used to it its no big deal, and its nice to know it is working.

Zilverado · Feb 15th, 2006, 11:36 AM

I am assuming you are talking about the front wheels. These will typically turn at the same RPM on both right and left sides. So when turning, one wheel will "skip" as the wheels make different size radius turns. This is normal, but is also the reason why 4WD should not be used on dry roads - is it too hard on the drive lines.

Having said that, if this is the cause of your noise, it soudl go away while travelling in a straight line, since the wheels are rotating the same RPM (unless your tire sizes are different). Some noise coming from an engaged front end is normal, but it's usually a soft "whiring" sound, not clunking or skipping.

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sgott17 · Feb 15th, 2006, 11:52 AM

well actually it does sound like the ABS system is it connected the 4WD system? what is the slip light that blinks when the wheels slip? it does it even when I am in 2WD mode when I stomp on it in the dirt!!

Its not loud, but a soft "grinding noise". It may be exactly what you are saying. I just think that noises shouldn't be made. It seems too much is going on here! To many things can actually go wrong!!

KSpider · Feb 15th, 2006, 11:56 AM

the light will go on when it is doing something... when you are in a low traction situation. Noise = action... It is not necessarily connected to the 4WD system, as it is connected to the "traction control" (I am not sure what they call it on a Nissan, on my other car is was "Traction Control."

If you dont like the noise, move down here to San Diego and you wont experience it as often : )

KSpider · Feb 15th, 2006, 11:58 AM

That being said, yes it should work even when in "2WD" mode.

bender031 · Feb 15th, 2006, 11:59 AM

yeah when you are in 2wd your abls is still active for the rear, and when those rear wheels slip (slamming it in dirt) the rear will abls will kick in and you will hear the abs grinding, the slip light indicates to you that the vehicle detected slip, and abls is kicking in...all normal....i guess the noise could be annoying but like i said before i like it cause i know the abls is acutally doing its thing...

never hurts to get it checked though if it will ease your mind...these are expensive machines and we want them to work properly...i am confident however, that mine is working how it should...