Truck idles hard sometimes when starting it.

Tiny
TLOWDON
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER
  • 179,000 MILES
Ok lately I've noticed after driving my truck then after it sitting turned off for 5 min or more then when I restart it it idles really low and rough like it not firing on all cylinders or something then the Check Engines light comes on and it does it for like 25-40 Seconds then the idle needle jumps a little bit up and the car starts Ideling fine and then the Check Engine light Turns off. It doesn't always do this there can be weeks that go by and it doesn't do it but today it did it like 3 times so please if anyone can help me I would be very much appreciative thank you for your time.
Thursday, September 29th, 2011 AT 9:50 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
TLOWDON
  • MEMBER
  • 23 POSTS
Oh its a 94 Pathfinder SE V6 3.0L.
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Thursday, September 29th, 2011 AT 9:54 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
The "check engine" light is an indicator for a system that monitors many electronic functions in the system, also called the "malfunction indicator lamp" (MIL). It can come on for any of hundreds of different causes from any of the systems that the computer monitors. Some are very important and can lead to further component or engine damage and some are emissions related not as serious but still a problem and need to be repaired.

Your first step is to have the computer scanned to retrieve the trouble codes that were set when the check engine light came on. Those codes will give you specific information about what the computer saw and will get you pointed in the right direction to find your problem. With a 1996 or newer and some 95 cars and you have an AutoZone or Advanced auto parts in your area, they will read them for free. Once you have these code numbers, we can be a lot more specific about what your problem may be.
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Thursday, September 29th, 2011 AT 10:06 AM
Tiny
TLOWDON
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  • 23 POSTS
Ok thanks but for them to hook up there computer to read codes doesn't the car have to be having that problem right then and there while the code reader is hooked up?
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Thursday, September 29th, 2011 AT 10:42 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
No, it will be stored in memory.
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Thursday, September 29th, 2011 AT 10:51 AM
Tiny
TLOWDON
  • MEMBER
  • 23 POSTS
So all I need to do is have them hook up one of those little code readers I know I have two plugs hanging out on the drivers side down by the fuse box so would that be where they would plug in the Code reader or is it done another way or in another place or a different kind of electronic gadget? So on my 94 that shouldn't be a problem?
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Thursday, September 29th, 2011 AT 11:41 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
You will probably need a professional scan tool, not just a generic code reader.
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Thursday, September 29th, 2011 AT 12:23 PM
Tiny
TLOWDON
  • MEMBER
  • 23 POSTS
Ok thanks that probably won't be something Autozone would have would they? And where does that Scanner tool plug in or however it works? Does it plug in where I said I had those plugs hanging on the drivers side by the fuse box or does the scanning tool do it somewhere different? Sorry for all the questions.
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Thursday, September 29th, 2011 AT 12:49 PM

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