1999.5 Pathfinder SE 4x4 maintanance questions

ssweeten77 · Nov 21st, 2012, 03:30 PM

I initially posted this back in June 2012 and didn't get any responses. Thought I'd try it one more time...

I'm a willing DIY'er and have noticed a few issues with my 1999.5 Pathfinder (just a small laundry list...):

1) Possible blower resistor issue - I have posted on another thread already. BUT, if anyone knows of any good resources for images/instructions, details are appreciated. FYI - I have a manual control HVAC system.

2) Possible Valve Cover Gasket Issue - I know this isn't something I have the tools, knowledge or time to fix alone. Just curious to see if my guess is right: I noticed a small amount of smoke coming from my engine compartment the other day and, when I looked at the engine, there was a "spray pattern" on the passenger side of the engine block which looked like oil. My guess is that the valve cover gasket is failing on me. How much money do you think is involved here?

3) Wheel Bearing and C/V boot Issue - I've noticed lately that I have a small wobble in my steering wheel when driving at higher speeds (usually...). I had new tires installed in late Jan/early Feb and, at that time, they techs pointed out that I had a loose wheel bearing (needs to be repacked w/ grease, from what he said) and a torn C/V boot, both on the front driver's side wheel. Just curious to see what kind of time/money are involved with this repair. Easy for a DIY'er?

4) Fuse/Elec issue - Minor issue. I noticed that my climate control lights are no longer functioning and the clock/radio display is dim most of the time (even without the headlamps on). Could this be as simple as a fuse issue?

Thanks for any thoughts or info. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

IanH · Nov 21st, 2012, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssweeten77

1) Possible blower resistor issue - I have posted on another thread already. BUT, if anyone knows of any good resources for images/instructions, details are appreciated. FYI - I have a manual control HVAC system.

Download the FSM. Even if yr is wrong it will be usefull.
Search on here, this is a common problem, but I have not had this yet !!

2) Possible Valve Cover Gasket Issue

Dont know and when you do the plugs it should not be too much more to replace the gaskets.

3) Wheel Bearing and C/V boot Issue - I've noticed lately that I have a small wobble in my steering wheel when driving at higher speeds (usually...). I had new tires installed in late Jan/early Feb and, at that time, they techs pointed out that I had a loose wheel bearing (needs to be repacked w/ grease, from what he said) and a torn C/V boot, both on the front driver's side wheel. Just curious to see what kind of time/money are involved with this repair. Easy for a DIY'er?

Ok, shake at speed is normally balance, try rotating the wheel and see if it goes away.

Wheel bearing. These are easily adjustable and maintenance is called for every 30K miles. There is a special tool to torque and remove the nut and locknut. Its not expensive, $12 - 15 from memory. Check FSM its what I used.

Re: boot, if you don't replace it you will have to replace the axle when joint goes. This turns all the time even on PT 4WD model. do wheel bearings at same time. you will have most of the dismantling already done

4) Fuse/Elec issue - Minor issue. I noticed that my climate control lights are no longer functioning and the clock/radio display is dim most of the time (even without the headlamps on). Could this be as simple as a fuse issue?

Maybe, need to check them and FSM for circuit diagrams.

Thanks for any thoughts or info. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Happy Thanksgiving !!

**smj999smj** · Nov 21st, 2012, 05:29 PM

A bad blower resistor will usually result in "high speed only" blower fan operation. Replacement is fairly simple. They are held in with two screws and mount either on the side or the bottom of the AC evaporator case (the airflow passing the resistor keeps them cool). The "credit card type" slides in from the bottom of the case on the passenger side; just get under the dash and look for a long electrical harness connector, often brown in color. If you have the older style, it'll be mounted in the side of the case and you will have to remove the glove box to get to it. Remove the screws and pull it out of the side of the case to replace.

The rubber valve cover gaskets shrink over the years which will cause the valve cover bolts to become loose. Often, you can just tighten the Phillips head valve cover bolts to stop a small leak. Use some brake cleaner to clean off the residual oil. If you have to replace the gasket, the passenger side is not that hard of a job. However, the driver's side is a lot harder, requiring removal of the intake plenum to get to the valve cover.

Most reman axles are fairly inexpensive and may be a better option than replacing just the boot. I find pretty good prices at Rockauto.com, so you might want to price-check the cost of an axle versus the cost of a boot kit "plus" the cost of the labor to replace it. Often the cost of a reman axle replacement will be the same price or less compared to putting a new boot on an old axle. If there is play in the bearing, this should be addressed right away before the bearing is damaged as a result of this.

A bad fuse will usually not cause dimmed lights, unless the terminals in the fuse box or corroded or loose. Have you tried adjusting or tapping on the illumination switch?

Cusser · Nov 22nd, 2012, 01:50 PM

My daughter's Pathfinder is a 1998, you should download the 99 service manual http://www.********.com/FSM/pathfinder/ as I did for the 98. Any reference data I supply here is from that 98 manual.

1. Why do you suspect the blower resistor? Are you missing a blower speed, or is the AC compressor not engaging? The resistor is near the blower motor. All these resistances are in ohms and from the noted terminal to #1 which is the negative:
#3 1.4 to 1.6
#4 2.5 to 2.8
#2 0.5 to 0.6

2. If you're handy valve cover gakets should be pretty straightforward. Don't overtighten.

4. Pull the fuse, plug back in. Also check the grounds.

IanH · Nov 22nd, 2012, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cusser

My daughter's Pathfinder is a 1998, you should download the 99 service manual http://www.********.com/FSM/pathfinder/ .

Please type out the link in a format the Forum software wont recognize and block it... Thanks

Cusser · Nov 22nd, 2012, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanH

Please type out the link in a format the Forum software wont recognize and block it... Thanks

Thanks for thinking I know enough about computers to know why the site software blocked this, your software doesn't like the term, a competing site.

I'll try again here, maybe will need to break it up and you'll need to put the parts together. Be patient, I have 8 fingers that never learned to type.

Type www.nico (then without any spaces, type) club.com/FSM/pathfinder/

Yes, you must download each chapter separately, not a huge deal, store as PDF on your hard-drive. Substitute Frontier for Pathfinder if you want Frontier manuals

IanH · Nov 23rd, 2012, 04:25 AM

Thanks.
The NICO site is a good one and I download some manuals from there in the past, but to be honest forgot about them.

Had my Manuals a long time !!!

ssweeten77 · Nov 28th, 2012, 01:53 PM

I've been to that site, too. Thanks for letting me know where to locate a good manual. For some reason, our local library doesn't carry the Chilton's manuals for my make/model/year (grrrr)!

Cusser, I suspect the blower resistor because I only have one fan speed - high. Does anyone have a good resource with photos or images of the blower resistor, so I have some idea of what to look for? I'm sure I can handle the repair, but I don't want to cause more harm than good.

Thank you all for the input! I'm to the point where I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to put my time and money toward my Pathy or just let her go. I got estimates from local shops ranging from $700 to $1200, and I've estimated (via Kelley Blue Book's website) that she's worth about $1500 (MAYBE), since there's some cosmetic damage outside and inside and these repairs need to be made.

In all, she's been a PHENOMONAL vehicle. I'm about to roll over on 202k miles and, other than these issues, it runs practically the same as the day I drove it off the lot. It's been everywhere from Las Vegas to St. Louis and from Dallas to Sioux City. Hopefully, I can keep it running for another couple of years!

ssweeten77 · Nov 28th, 2012, 02:06 PM

side note: I couldn't find the FSM on the site provided. Any other ideas?

I did find a digital copy of the owner's manual on www.courtesyparts .com/owners-manuals.php. Not sure if this is what you were referencing. Thanks again!

Cusser · Nov 28th, 2012, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssweeten77

side note: I couldn't find the FSM on the site provided. Any other ideas?

I did find a digital copy of the owner's manual on www.courtesyparts .com/owners-manuals.php. Not sure if this is what you were referencing. Thanks again!

No, I'm talking about the factory service manual. You must download each chapter separately.

Type nico then without a space type club.com/FSM/pathfinder/ so after the co comes club like coclub . I just tried it again and it works.

If you PM me and provide me with your E-mail address, I'll E-mail the Heating/Cooling Chapter to you for 1999.

IanH · Nov 29th, 2012, 11:47 AM

If you download all the section and put them in one folder, when you open any section you will get a link to the overall view, FWD i think its called, and can go to each section from there. It helps a lot when you are jumping around on one problem, ie suspension and axle

Cusser · Nov 29th, 2012, 08:21 PM

I'm not sure I can access private messages. If you want the 1999 heating and AC manual, leave your E-mail address here as abc -at- xyz dot com, or try PM again.