Cypher

Okay. I just got a 1999.5 Pathy. Happy as punch. Everything is great, but just to make sure everything was as good as it seems, I took it to a local Tranny shop. They ran the truck, put it through their computer. My TPS is faulty, cool, $90 and I'll change it myself. (I kinda figured because it was over revving changing @ 60-80km - read that is usually the cause).

However, they also came back saying that my differential is whining and the transfer case clunks???

Now I don't know much about cars/trucks, but I know enough to know that the differential is pretty important on 4x4s. So, the mechanic at the tranny shop says its better to change out now than later, that most likely now all I need to do is change out the bearings and gaskets. The transfer case, he didn't say too much.

I need some help. How expensive and labour intensive is the differential (worse to best case scenerios). I've looked around and it looks like most of the parts are $50 - $150 or so (Canadian). Is this correct?

And the transfer case, what the heck does that do?

Any help or input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Cypher

lewisnc100

Definitely get a second opinion, replacing the rear differential and transfer case seems a little drastic and expensive unless you confirm with another shop, probably at a Nissan dealership. Haven't heard much good about these tranny shops, especially AAMCO. The TPS has a technical service bulletin out for adjustment, you might try to adjust it before you replace it all together. Mine was out of adjustment and it took all of 5 minutes to reset it and get rid of my shifting/rev problem.

I think others have just switched out the fluid in the diff to synthetic and gotten rid of a whine or chatter in a LSD rear diff. Just switched to Mobil1 and it takes just a couple of minutes. Transfer case is what sends power to your front hubs in 4WD, and mine has always had a kind of clunk when going to 4WD. Unless they're more specific on exactly why they want to change out the transfer case other than it clunks I would run to another mechanic or the dealership. Plus I thought the rear diff was a sealed unit meaning they had to change out the whole diff, not just open it up like other models and get at the gears and gaskets. I'm sure others with more experience will chime in but from what you wrote I wouldn't put much stock in this place unless you get a second opinion from someone that has experience with Pathfinders.

Cypher

Great, thanks. Yah, I'm going to send it to my usual mechanic, to get his opinion like you mentioned.

After I posted this I read about changing out the differential fluid, so I may have a go at that before I do anything too drastic.

Thanks...is there a guide showing someone how to adjust the TPS?

Thanks again...

lewisnc100

Adjusting the TPS was pretty easy on my 97XE, not sure if it's the same for a 99.5 pathfinder. It was detailed out in a Haynes manual and described even better in the TSB on alldata.com so you might check either of those for details on your year. The tools you need are a multimeter for measuring resistance and a feeler gauge with a .012 and .016 blades (need to check if yours are the same). You check the TPS while it's mounted, here's the steps:

Look at the throttle body and you'll see the throttle position sensor on the side with two electrical connections, the top is the closed throttle position switch and the bottom is the variable output throttle position sensor. To adjust the sensor you'll use the top one, the closed throttle position switch.

1. Warm up engine until the fast idle cam retracts and the throttle lever rests on the throttle stop screw (never adjust the stop screw)
2. Remove the electrical connection to the closed throttle position switch (top one on 97 Pathfinder)
3. You'll see 3 terminals, you will be testing for continuity across the top two (5 & 6)
4. Insert the .012 feeler gauge between the stop screw and the throttle drum stop, should have continuity 0 ohms
5. Insert the .016 feeler gauge and you should not have continuity
6. If readings are incorrect loosen the bolts and adjust the sensor (rotate) until the readings are correct

2000SE

Change the fluids in the transfer case/diffs.

Avoid the shop you went to and check everything for sabotage!

Cypher

Thanks Lewisnc100 and 2000SE. I think I'll change out the fluid and see.

Personally, I haven't heard anything. I hear a clunk (if you want to call it that) when I break a little fast? But not sure if that is it.

I'll change the fluid and see what happens.

Cypher