Newbie here. I've been pouring over the various Pathfinder posts, and am amazed at the level of expertise. Not surprised. Just amazed.
My '97 Pathy SE wouldn't start. No click, nothing. So I towed it to Firestone (don't flame me. I'm new to nashville, and it was close).
Bad decision. Firestone said it's the fuel pump. They changed the pump (p/l $750), and then claimed my car died again while they were driving it. Not surprised. Just amazed.
Now they say it needs a new ECU. The odds of both the ecu and the fuel pump simultaneously breaking can be computed as ZERO. I had F/S check the fuel relay, which they said is okay. I could practically hear them salivating over a computer install job. When I told them I would find an ECM myself, they choked. They said a used ecu won't work. WTF?!
I found plenty of ECU's on ebay and car-part.com. But I can't find parts numbers. What I find are ECMs for a pathy 97 at, which is me. Do I need something more specific, or will a 97 pathy AT ECU work for my SE automatic?
I feel really burned over this. They've had the car for over a week. When I asked them what code the ECU returned, they turned vague.
I'd be thankful for any advice I can get from the real experts.
Before you go spending any more money, I would have the car towed to a better shop. If you ask around, it would seem that everyone has a favourite mechanic, one they trust. A second or third opinion will never hurt, expecially when the one you are getting is troublsome. From my experience, correct me if I am wrong, Firestone is a tire dealer are they not?
You could also check your own fuel-pump by running it off a battery independently. Also, used ECU's are common replacements. I recently had a problem with my 79 porsche and thought it may be the ECU, so I talked to a used parts place and they sold me an ECU and said I could return it minus a 100 bucks if it didn't solve anything.
It sounds like your getting the shirt pulled over your eyes. Shop around and take the truck to a better shop. Also, get an auto club member like CAA for 90 bucks or whatever it is and that way you don't have to pay for the tows.
Of course you're right. I'll ask around about another mechanic. I ordered an ECU for the Pathfinder. Hopefully that does the trick. Firestone was going to fix it today, but it snowed an inch here in Nashville, so I guess those tough guys can't get to work. Thanks for the input. I'll post back when I find out what's up.
p.s. I know it's not the starter or the alternator.
I put in the salvaged ECU and drove away from Firestone.
This morning, the car wouldn't start. The engine cranks over, but won't catch. The engine started on the fifth try.
The mechanic says he checked the fuel relay, but it was fine. I'm certainly not taking it back to Firestone. Could it be the crank sensor? Maybe they didn't check the fuel relay afterall. If it's the relay, the car might actually die while I'm driving. Does the ECU need reprogramming?
Last edited by mschottland : Feb 20th, 2006 at 12:43 PM.
Reason: change
It would seem since your PF started after the 5th try that you are looking at something other than the ECU, it is to spuratic where as a hardwired problem like an ECU would usually be a constant problem, as in it either works or doesn't.
There are a few things you need to look at. When it isn't starting there has to be a reason.
1. Is there spark? pull a plug, put the plug into a wire and rest it against something grounded. Have a friend try and turn the truck over and see if you can see spark. If there is, then this isn't your problem likely.
2. Have your fuel pressure tested. Is there fuel getting to the engine at all? Is it enough?
3. Have you had the codes pulled off your ECU? I mean before you replaced it...
There are a lot of things to check and a well trained mechanic with experience will run through these things before making ANY conclusion. Do not use a mechanic that just starts replacing parts with no answers.
I checked the plugs. They're firing fine. Good tip, by the way. You're right about the ECU; the new ECU failed to resolve the problem. F/Stone said the old ECU wasn't throwing a code. B/S or not?
Anyway, I'm out of town this week. When I return, I'll have another mechanic check the fuel pressure. Thanks for the ideas. Keep them coming. I'll let you know what happens.
'97 PATHY ECU REPLACED!?
I'll ask around about another mechanic. I ordered an ECU for the Pathfinder. Hopefully that does the trick. Firestone was going to fix it today, but it snowed an inch here in Nashville, so I guess those tough guys can't get to work. Thanks for the input. I'll post back when I find out what's up.
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