Xterra died while driving...

[1fastser]

First off, this is my wife's vehicle so all my info is second hand.

She told me it has recently died when stopping at a stop sign more than twice and today it died on the highway at 70mph...with loss of power, pressing gas pedal had no effect, dash lights didn't come on until she was stopped. Everytime it has died she was able to get it restarted with no trouble.

Any ideas? Has anyone had to replace their fuel pump or had similiar symptoms. I could verify ohms on the fuel pump but if it's an intermittent problem it probably wouldn't tell me anything.

Any productive input is greatly appreciated.

[tazzman691]

Unplug the throttle position sensor on the intake and see if it will start. Mine done the same thing and i replaced the TPS and it fixed it. Its either that or the timing belt may have streached and it jumped time.

[1fastser]

The timing belt was recently replaced at Nissan less than a month ago...hrm.

[bamfben]

my mazda used to do that , it was the igntion switch had a crack in the plastic so it would lose contact and kill the spark after i replaced it i never had a problem again. i would check that or have it checked

[nislo]

The fuel pump terminals at the plastic sending unit get corroded but that usually cuts power to pump and remains off

[dropniss]

First off, this is my wife's vehicle so all my info is second hand.

She told me it has recently died when stopping at a stop sign more than twice and today it died on the highway at 70mph...with loss of power, pressing gas pedal had no effect, dash lights didn't come on until she was stopped. Everytime it has died she was able to get it restarted with no trouble.

Any ideas? Has anyone had to replace their fuel pump or had similiar symptoms. I could verify ohms on the fuel pump but if it's an intermittent problem it probably wouldn't tell me anything.

Any productive input is greatly appreciated.

I had the same problem in my 03 Xterra, I narrowed it down to a bad bearing in the distributor. If this bearing goes bad, the distributor will skip a bit sputter the engine and buck all over the place and also cut the engine completely. You can check easily this by taking off the cap and rotor, take off the two screws underneath the rotor. Look underneath the thin disk to see if there are any metal shavening in there. (I used a small telescoping magnet). If there is metal shavenings, chances are that the bearing went bad. Do not go out and buy a new distrubitor, just get the bearing. Distributor cost $250+ ... Bearing is about $2. Very easy fix, takes about 20 minutes to changeout the beaing. I got extra brearings if you need one, I will ship to your address for free.

[1fastser]

I haven't heard this! Well I would buy a bearing just to have even if it doesn't show shavings.

Thanks for all the input so far...keep the ideas coming. I'm gonna have to tackle this problem this weekend.

[dropniss]

I haven't heard this! Well I would buy a bearing just to have even if it doesn't show shavings.

Thanks for all the input so far...keep the ideas coming. I'm gonna have to tackle this problem this weekend.

Please keep uo posted. I would also like to know what happens to other members trucks so I know what to look out for.

[1fastser]

Nissan said the Air Flow meter is bad...their price is $600+ just for the part!