pathfinder35

Hi~ I have a 01 Pathfinder w/3.5 engine. 55000mi.
After fill up my gas tank from Costco gas station and drove about 25mins.
I notice that Service engine light flashing and engine runs very tough.

I had this same problem about 5month ago and it was right after costco gas too.
That time it was doing this for only 10~15 mins. and after that service engine light stayed on for only few weeks. but now it keep flashing and shakes engine bad.
Any ideas?

littlefish

Go to Autozone or someone who will check to see what error code is showing to cause the Check Engine light to flash. Go to Google or the Library and read a Chiltons book to see what is the suspected fix for that error code. Do you make it a regular habit of buying Costco gas? Did it do this after Exxon or Texaco gas? Did you leave the motor running while filling the tank (many cars say this is a no no)? I have seen bad gas contaminate and coat plugs with a whitish deposit before. It made them real hard to fire good. I never did figure out what caused that problem but suspected the four tanks in a row I bought at that one station.

inanima

get your code run.

If it's shaking the whole car like a paint mixer, I'd bet on bad ignition coil. I've had 2.

Could also be any one of the sensors, youmay need the fuelk injection cleaned, and last but not least, always check this one first- check the gas cap- close & click 3 x.

pathfinder35

Ok,, My mechanic said that one of ignition coil is bad... but some reason my car runs ok today (no shaking) so he just reset the code and advise me replace spark plugs first.
I will replace them next week and let you guys know what happen.

Thanks

inanima

You can't get around the ignition coil by just doing spark pulgs, eventuall you'll have to replace it.

Ignition coil will run you $300 at the dealer for parts and labor.

They will also advise to replace all 6 with "upgraded" ones, since if they replace one they can't guarantee that it won't fail again if it doesn't communicate with the others. Eh.