surging idle

getbent · Nov 22nd, 2007, 03:30 PM

I recently bought my first Nissan it is an 88 Pathfinder V6 5SPD, I noticed it idle's hight about 1200 RPM at normal opperating temp, I tried to adjust the idle with no luck, I have noticed with the colder weather if I start driving before the engine comes off high idle it will serge between 1200 and 2000 RPM's untill it reaches normal opperating temp. does anyone have any ideas other than taking it to a garage.

Andrew571 · Nov 25th, 2007, 09:29 PM

My 88 also does this. It has been doing it for about two years and ive just ignored it....

It only happens when in park or neutral. once its in drive the RPMs dont surge around

getbent · Nov 25th, 2007, 09:48 PM

I find that mine does it in gear to, i've also noticed it's terrible on gas, I don't know if this is related or not.

97pathy518 · Nov 26th, 2007, 05:31 PM

mine, does the same but with lower RPM's. I own a 97 pathy, and I believe one of the problems is a idle air control valve, near the intake manifold on my engine. I do not know if you guys have the same valve, but I am pretty sure that that is the culprit for me, and possibly for you?

**88pathoffroad** · Dec 1st, 2007, 04:40 PM

There are solenoids and a wax choke on the TBI of an 88 that can cause that problem. If you don't have a factory service manual or know how to troubleshoot that sort of thing I would suggest either living with it or taking it to a dealership for diagnosis.

tcossette1 · Dec 9th, 2007, 01:45 PM

I had great success in this surging issue when I adjusted the throttle position sensor (TPS). Once adjusted, I no longer had issues with surging. My 98 Chilkoot Pathy still idles high and consumes lots of fuel until it reaches operating temperature though.

See if you can get a Nissan shop manual and follow the instructions closely. If done incorrectly, your Pathy will loose it's balls (until corrected). I did it in my garage with the tach on my instrument cluster in under an hour. I actually removed the TPS and brushed out any dirt/dust before reinstalling it.

Hope this helps you.