96 xe bad gas mileage

bsmith98 · Oct 3rd, 2005, 02:54 PM

I have a 96 xe 2wd regular cab 5 speed. The truck is only getting 21 mpg and i think that is a little low. The check engine light is on and auto zone scanned the truck and said that it was the idle air control valve, but the clerk told me that it could also be a wiring problem and that once i buy the part and install it, that it is non refundable. I was wandering if it could be anything else before i unload 150 on a part that might not be the problem. Also it only has 69000 miles on it.

no1see2me · Oct 3rd, 2005, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsmith98

I have a 96 xe 2wd regular cab 5 speed. The truck is only getting 21 mpg and i think that is a little low. The check engine light is on and auto zone scanned the truck and said that it was the idle air control valve, but the clerk told me that it could also be a wiring problem and that once i buy the part and install it, that it is non refundable. I was wandering if it could be anything else before i unload 150 on a part that might not be the problem. Also it only has 69000 miles on it.

Well I have a 96 Pathfinder LE 4x4 Auto and I would kill to get 21 mpg out of it, I'm only getting 17 with no check engine light.

Find out what code was returned on the OBDII Scan and look it up on the internet and you might find that thier are other things you can look for before investing $150+ in that sensor.

Pathfinders are not known for great fuel mileage.

deathtorice · Oct 3rd, 2005, 07:53 PM

21 is about normal. i only get 24.5, but i drive it conservativley, shift at 2,500 rpm, and most of my driving is less than 75 mph. it all depends how how u drive, the type of conditions you drive in, and what gears you have in the rear end. get a k&n filter, header, msd ignition, run synthetic gear lube in the rear end and trans. all of that will help your mileage. go back to auto zone and get the code, and search for it on the internet. try taking the iac valve off, and cleaning it and the wire connector. then wait and see if the SES light goes off. you could always get a junkyard iac valve instead of paying for a new one. but if its a cheap part, i guess just buy the new one.

bsmith98 · Oct 3rd, 2005, 09:38 PM

Its not a pathfinder, it is a 2wd truck. Also these trucks can't be found around my area in a junk yard. I went to 2 junk yards around my area and they laughed at me and said that haven't had one ever. They said these trucks were hot comodity.

abmobil · Oct 3rd, 2005, 10:42 PM

It could be the throtle position sensor and that was a recall item on my 97 hardbody SE. Im pretty sure the 96 models were also included in the recall.
For mostly city driving 21 mpg is normal and it was rated 21 city 25 hwy on my 97s window sticker.

I dont think our trucks use idle air control valves but im not sure.

deathtorice · Oct 3rd, 2005, 10:58 PM

there is an iac valve. here: http://www.angelfire.com/extreme/haw...dy/engine.html

that site has lots of info about the ka24e.