1996 Pathfinder Check Engine

hboy1906 · Nov 11th, 2006, 06:52 PM

I am new to the forums. I own a 1996 Pathfinder with 307k miles on it. I haven't had any major problems since I bought it in '96. The other day my check engine light came on. (First time ever). I tok it to Autozone and the guy told me it was a bad Knock Sensor and a Coolant Temp Sensor. Can someone point me to a website with information about where I can find these sensors on the engine and if it is a repair I can make? Likewise does anyone have any other suggestions before I go to a mechanic and pay a lot of money.

lewisnc100 · Nov 13th, 2006, 07:26 AM

Forget about the knock sensor, very common and will not trigger your CEL. Did you get the actual number for the other code? The problem with Autozone is that they will tell you the generic code for P1XX codes when there is a Nissan specific code for them. That coolant temp sensor sounds like one that is Nissan specific and without the actual code number you won't know what the problem actually is.

KLL · Nov 13th, 2006, 11:08 AM

is there any vibration or hesitation while it is running? is fuel economy worse than before? are there any odd sounds on engine? if not ,learn live with it

. i dont understand why nissan puts extra unnecessary sensors for everything.

89Joe · Nov 16th, 2006, 12:44 AM

I have a 2000 LE and the CEL has been on for about a year now. When it came on, nothing with the truck changed. No noises. No temp issues. Nothing. So we never replaced anything. Later we needed to get some preventive stuff done and the tech informed us that it's an oxygen (O2) sensor - downstream after the catalytic converter. I'll change it out - eventually. Anyway, that's what it is on mine. Good luck!

dvdswanson · Nov 16th, 2006, 12:46 PM

get the code and we can go from there, as lewisnc100 said. it should be a P0XXX code, alot of things very simple to fix yourself. I'm guessing you have OBDII on your PF becuase my truck has it.