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1994 Nissan Pathfinder Repair Question


Topics covered: Distributor, Front seat, Mechanic.
Mileage: 180,000 miles.

Asked on February 18, 2012

RPM Needle going crazy!!!

On my 94 Pathfinder SE V6 Automatic yesterday I noticed while driving the RPM Needle jumped up to Redline then back down then it did it again and again it did it a bunch of times then it would jump halfway then go back down and do it a bunch of times then it would go dead for a while and then start going crazy again then it would work normal for a while then start jumping and going crazy again. It's been doing this the past few days. The only thing I did before it was happening was gave a VW a jump and had an Oil Change. So if you could please Help and give me some suggestions I'd REALLY appreciate it! Thanks in Advance.
Avatar Asked by tlowdon

Answer

Replied on February 19, 2012

You may have fried something in the ECU. Check the wiring to the distributor.

Tiny Answered by rivermikerat (expert)
5,494 answers provided
Replied on February 19, 2012

Ok thank you very much!

Tiny Response from tlowdon
4 questions asked
Replied on February 19, 2012

So if I did fry something what needs to be replaced? The ECU or the Distributor or Both and how will i be able to tell? I'm wondering if it has something to do when I jumped that car?

Tiny Response from tlowdon
4 questions asked

Replied on February 19, 2012

Most likely the ECU, unfortunately. Pay special attention to loose grounds and connections. There's also a control module under the right front seat. The grey wire there feeds the tach.

Tiny Answered by rivermikerat (expert)
5,494 answers provided
Replied on February 19, 2012

Ok thanks again!

Tiny Response from tlowdon
4 questions asked
Replied on February 19, 2012

My pleasure. Let us know what you find out and tell your friends about us!

Tiny Answered by rivermikerat (expert)
5,494 answers provided

Replied on February 19, 2012

Ok sounds good I hope I can figure it out and I always tell my friends how Professional you guys are!

Tiny Response from tlowdon
4 questions asked
Replied on February 19, 2012

The tach signal comes from a couple of sources. There's a crank position sensor in the distributor, and the negative, or tach side of the coil. Those feed into the control module I mentioned above, which generates the signal to the tach.

Tiny Answered by rivermikerat (expert)
5,494 answers provided
Replied on February 20, 2012

Ok I'm not to Mechanically inclined so I'll have to wait for a Buddy of mine to check it out thanks again!

Tiny Response from tlowdon
4 questions asked
Replied on February 20, 2012

My pleasure. Let us know what you find out.

Tiny Answered by rivermikerat (expert)
5,494 answers provided