1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER check engine

EXPLANATION OF MAINTENANCE
ITEMS
Additional information on the following
items with ª*º is found in the ªDo-it-
yourself operationsº section.
Emission control system
maintenance
Drive belts*Check drive belts for wear, fray-
ing or cracking and also for proper tension.
Replace the drive belts if found damaged.
Air cleaner filterUnder normal driving condi-
tions, the air cleaner filter should be replaced
in accordance with the maintenance schedule.
However, driving the vehicle in dusty areas
may cause more rapid clogging of the element.
Consequently, the element may have to be
replaced more frequently.
Vapor linesCheck vapor lines and connec-
tions for failure or looseness. If leaks are
found, replace the lines.
Fuel linesCheck the fuel hoses, piping and
connections for leaks, looseness or deteriora-
tion. Replace any parts if they are damaged.
Fuel filterIf the vehicle is operated under
extremely adverse weather conditions or in
areas where ambient temperatures are either
extremely low or extremely high, the filtermight become clogged. In such an event,
replace the filter immediately.
Engine coolant*Flush and refill the cooling
system.
Engine oil & oil filter*Under normal driving
conditions, the engine oil and oil filter should
be replaced in accordance with the mainte-
nance schedule. However, under severe driv-
ing conditions, they may have to be replaced
more frequently.
Spark plugs*Replace with new plugs having
the correct heat range.
Timing belt
Replace the timing belt for driving the cam-
shafts.
Chassis and body maintenance
Brake lines & cablesCheck the brake lines
and hoses (including brake booster vacuum
hoses, connections & check valve) and park-
ing brake cables for proper attachment, leaks,
cracks, chafing, abrasion, deterioration, etc.
Brake pads, discs, drums & liningsCheck
these and the other neighboring brake compo-
nents for wear, deterioration and leaks. Under
severe driving conditions, they may have to be
inspected more frequently.Manual and automatic transmission, trans-
fer & differential gear oilVisually inspect for
signs of leakage and replace oil for limited-slip
differential. Under severe driving conditions,
the oil should be replaced at the specified
interval.
Steering gear & linkage, axle & suspension
parts & drive axle shaft bootsCheck for
damage, looseness and leakage of oil or
grease. Under severe driving conditions, more
frequent inspection should be performed.
Steering linkage ball joints & front suspen-
sion ball jointsCheck the ball joints for dam-
age, looseness and grease leakage. Under
severe driving conditions, more frequent in-
spection should be performed.
Propeller shaft(s)Check the propeller
shaft(s) for damage, looseness and grease
leakage under severe driving condition
(only).
Propeller shaft greaseApply specified
grease to the greasing points of propeller
shafts in accordance with the maintenance
schedule. In the case of driving in water,
greasing should be performed immediately
afterwards.
Front wheel bearing greaseCheck the wheel
bearing for grease leakage around grease
8-10
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

eastern Nevada, southern Idaho, western
South Dakota, western Nebraska, and that
part of Texas which is directly south of New
Mexico.
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than stated above can cause
persistent, heavy ªspark knockº. (ªSpark
knockº is a metallic rapping noise.) If se-
vere, this can lead to engine damage. If you
detect a persistent heavy spark knock even
when using gasoline of the stated octane
rating, or if you hear steady spark knock
while holding a steady speed on level
roads, have your dealer correct the condi-
tion. Failure to correct the condition is
misuse of the vehicle, for which NISSAN is
not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing will result in knocking,
after-run or overheating. This in turn may
cause excessive fuel consumption or damage
to the engine. If any of the above symptoms
are encountered, have your vehicle checked at
a NISSAN dealer or other competent service
facility.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is no
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is lightspark knock for a short time.
9-5
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

10 Index
A
Air bag (See ªSupplemental restraint systemº)
Air bag warning light (See ªSupplemental airbag
warning light or warningº)
Air cleaner filter ............................................... 7-16
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ...................... 3-5, 3-9
Air conditioner specification label.............. 9-15
Heater and air conditioner........................... 3-3
Semiautomatic air conditioner ..................... 3-7
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ............................... 9-9
Air flow charts ................................................. 3-11
AM-FM radio with cassette player and compact
disc player (Bose audio system) .................... 3-20
AM-FM radio with compact disc player .......... 3-15
Anti-lock brake system ................................... 4-25
Automatic
Automatic transmission fluid ....................... 7-9
Driving with automatic transmission............ 4-7
Semiautomatic air conditioner ..................... 3-7
Avoiding collision and rollover .......................... 4-4
B
Back door locks ................................................ 2-8
Battery............................................................. 7-13
Battery replacement.......................................... 2-6Before starting the engine ................................ 4-7
Belt hook ......................................................... 2-32
Brake
Anti-lock brake system .............................. 4-25
Brake and clutch fluid................................ 7-11
Brake booster ............................................ 7-19
Brake pedal ............................................... 7-18
Brake system............................................. 4-24
Brake pad wear indicators ............... 1-13, 7-19
Parking brake ................................... 4-13, 7-18
Break-in schedule ........................................... 4-16
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants... 9-2
Cargo (See ªvehicle loading informationº)
Cassette tape operation ................................. 3-23
CB radio or car phone .................................... 3-27
Center and side vent ........................................ 3-2
Changing
Changing engine coolant ............................ 7-5
Changing engine oil .................................... 7-8
Changing oil filter ........................................ 7-9
Checking coolant level ...................................... 7-4
Checking engine oil level .................................. 7-7
Child restraints for infants and small children .... 2-
34
Child safety ..................................................... 2-28
Child safety rear door lock................................ 2-3
Cigarette lighter and ash trays ....................... 1-21Cleaning exterior and interior ........................... 6-2
Clearing the programming information ........... 1-34
Clock ................................................................. 1-8
Clutch pedal .................................................... 7-20
Coin tray ......................................................... 1-22
Cold weather driving ....................................... 4-26
Compact disc (CD) player operation .............. 3-29
Compact disc player operation ....................... 3-22
Compass and outside temperature
display ............................................................... 1-5
Console box .................................................... 1-24
Controls ..................................................... 3-3, 3-7
Coolant
Changing engine coolant ............................ 7-5
Checking coolant level ................................ 7-4
Engine coolant temperature gauge ............. 1-4
Corrosion protection ....................................... 4-28
Cruise control.................................................. 4-14
Cup holder ...................................................... 1-23
D
Defroster switch
Rear window defroster switch ................... 1-18
Dimensions and weights ................................. 9-12
Door locks ......................................................... 2-2
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ................... 4-4
Drive belts ....................................................... 7-14
Driving
Cold weather driving ................................. 4-26
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving .............. 4-4
Driving safety precautions ......................... 4-21
Driving with automatic transmission............ 4-7
Driving with manual transmission ............. 4-11
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions .................................................. 4-4
Precautions when starting and driving ........ 4-2
E
Economy hints ................................................ 4-17
Emission control information label .................. 9-14
Emission control system warranty .................. 9-20
Engine ............................................................. 9-10
Before starting the engine ........................... 4-7
Changing engine coolant ............................ 7-5
Changing engine oil .................................... 7-8
Checking engine oil level ............................ 7-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge ............. 1-4
Engine cooling system ................................ 7-4
Engine oil..................................................... 7-7
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation .......................................... 9-6
Engine serial number ................................ 9-13
Starting the engine .................................... 4-13
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ...................... 4-2
Explanation of maintenance items.................. 8-10
F
Flat tire .............................................................. 5-2
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid ....................... 7-9
Brake and clutch fluid................................ 7-11Power steering fluid................................... 7-11
Window washer fluid ................................. 7-12
F.M.V.S.S. certification label........................... 9-14
Front fog light switch ...................................... 1-19
Front seats ...................................................... 2-12
Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .............................................. 9-2
Fuel filler cap ............................................. 2-11
Fuel filler lid lock ....................................... 2-10
Fuel gauge .................................................. 1-5
Fuel recommendation.................................. 9-4
Fuses .............................................................. 7-20
G
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge ............. 1-4
Fuel gauge .................................................. 1-5
Meters and gauges ..................................... 1-3
General maintenance ....................................... 8-2
Glasses case .................................................. 1-24
Glove box lock ................................................ 2-10
H
Hazard warning flasher switch........................ 1-19
Head restraint ................................................. 2-15
Headlight and turn signal switch..................... 1-15
Headlights ....................................................... 7-21
Heated seats (If so equipped) ........................ 1-20
Heater and air conditioner ................................ 3-3
Heater operation ........................................ 3-4, 3-8Hood release .................................................... 2-9
I
If your vehicle is ever stolen ........................... 1-35
If your vehicle overheats .................................. 5-9
Ignition switch ................................................... 4-5
Inside mirror .................................................... 2-44
Instrument brightness control ......................... 1-18
Integrated HomeLink
transmitter
(If so equipped)............................................... 1-31
Interior light ..................................................... 1-30
J
Jump starting ........................................... 5-7, 7-13
K
Key .................................................................... 2-2
L
Light
Front fog light switch ................................. 1-19
Headlight and turn signal switch ............... 1-15
Headlights.................................................. 7-21
Interior light................................................ 1-30
Light bulbs ................................................. 7-21
Other lights ................................................ 7-23
Spot light ................................................... 1-31
Supplemental air bag warning light........... 2-25
Vanity mirror light ...................................... 1-31
Warning/indicator light and buzzer.............. 1-9
10-2
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

Lock
Anti-lock brake system .............................. 4-25
Back door locks ........................................... 2-8
Child safety rear door lock .......................... 2-3
Door locks ................................................... 2-2
Fuel filler lid lock ....................................... 2-10
Glove box lock........................................... 2-10
Power door lock .......................................... 2-3
Rear window locks ...................................... 2-8
Luggage (See ªvehicle loading informationº)
Luggage board and box ................................. 1-26
Luggage hooks ............................................... 2-45
Luggage net .................................................... 2-44
Luggage rack .................................................. 2-46
M
Maintenance
Explanation of maintenance items ............ 8-10
General maintenance .................................. 8-2
Periodic maintenance .................................. 8-5
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M)
test ............................................................. 9-22
Seat belt maintenance .............................. 2-34
Manual antenna .............................................. 3-27
Meters and gauges ........................................... 1-3
Mirror
Inside mirror .............................................. 2-44
Outside mirror control................................ 2-42
Outside heated defroster
(If so equipped) ......................................... 1-18
Outside mirrors .......................................... 2-43
Vanity mirror light ...................................... 1-30Multi-remote control system (If so equipped) ... 2-4
O
Oil
Changing engine oil .................................... 7-8
Changing oil filter ........................................ 7-9
Checking engine oil level ............................ 7-7
Engine oil..................................................... 7-7
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation .......................................... 9-6
On-pavement and off-road driving precautions .. 4-
4
Operating the transmitter ................................ 1-33
Outside mirror control ..................................... 2-42
Outside heated defroster (If so
equipped) ........................................................ 1-18
Outside mirrors ............................................... 2-43
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats ............................. 5-9
P
Parking ............................................................ 4-23
Parking brake ................................... 4-13, 7-18
Periodic maintenance ....................................... 8-5
Power
Power antenna (If so equipped)................ 3-26
Power door lock .......................................... 2-3
Power socket ............................................. 1-22
Power steering fluid................................... 7-11
Power steering system .............................. 4-24
Power support seat ................................... 2-14
Power window ........................................... 1-27Precautions ....................................................... 7-2
Driving safety precautions ......................... 4-21
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions .................................................. 4-4
Precautions on seat belt usage ................ 2-27
Precautions when starting and driving ........ 4-2
Programming problem diagnosis .................... 1-33
Programming the HomeLink
transmitter ....................................................... 1-32
Protecting against corrosion ............................. 6-5
Push starting ..................................................... 5-9
R
Radio............................................................... 3-15
AM-FM radio with cassette player and compact
disc player (Bose audio system) ............... 3-20
AM-FM radio with compact disc
player ......................................................... 3-15
CB radio or car phone............................... 3-27
Radio operation ......................................... 3-22
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test
(For U.S.A.)..................................................... 9-21
Rear seats ...................................................... 2-16
Rear window defroster switch......................... 1-18
Rear window locks ............................................ 2-8
Rear window wiper and washer switch .......... 1-17
Recommended SAE viscosity number ............. 9-8
Refrigerant recommendation ............................ 9-9
Reporting safety defects (For U.S.A.) ............ 9-20
10-3
Z01.2.1/R50-DX