Pathfinder 4x4 problem

dogprancer · Jan 22nd, 2007, 12:38 PM

I have a 2001 Pathfinder SE with 4WD. After shifting into 4WD, it sometimes is getting stuck. Sometimes this happens several minutes after driving and at other times immediately.

When I say stuck, it seems like the car is driving with the parking brake on and have to slow way down. This can get a little dicey when on the freeway.

I'll try to shift out of 4WD and it wont switch out. I used to drive for a 1/2 mile or so and it would disingage. Now it seems, I have to pull off the road and either turn the vehicle off/on or reverse the car.

Any ideas what could be the problem?

dvdswanson · Jan 22nd, 2007, 01:42 PM

do you have different size tires on the vehicle frt/back?

dogprancer · Jan 22nd, 2007, 03:19 PM

I don't have different tire sizes/makes.

However, I replaced two of the tires last year with the same make/model.

dvdswanson · Jan 22nd, 2007, 07:14 PM

it may be a silly question, but have you personally looked at the sizes to verify? because from what you are saying it sounds like the driveline is binding up. have you done anything to the auto hubs? they may need to be gone thru. just thoughts.

dogprancer · Jan 22nd, 2007, 10:36 PM

I went and verified the tires. Yes, they are all the same.

The only work I have had done was the front brakes in September.

I don't have a huge knowledge base about cars but I googled some of your suggestions and got some ideas on possible problems.

Thanks.

lewisnc100 · Jan 23rd, 2007, 07:22 AM

It doesn't take much difference in tire diameter to cause what you're describing. Either a minor difference in PSI or tread wear can cause the 4x4 system to not release. If you replaced 2 of your tires then I would assume you have differences in tread wear between the new and old tires. This was such a common cause of the problem you're describing that Nissan issued a TSB just for this.

To test if this is the cause Nissan recommended swapping the tires on one side of the vehicle front to back and see if it makes a difference.

Don't worry about checking for autohubs, your Pathfinder doesn't have them.

dogprancer · Jan 23rd, 2007, 09:25 AM

From what I could read of the Technical Bulletin, that sounds exactly what is happening. Maybe this won't be a costly fix (as I thought). I'll try the tire swap and see what happens.