Questions and Answers

Nissan Pathfinder In Fail Safe Q. Help! I have a 1993 Pathfinder that is shifting late (especially when NOT "accelerating quickly"). The "power" light comes on (if the key is turned without starting the engine) for 2 seconds, then flashes for 8 seconds. I have only a 1995 owners' manual, but it indicates this means the transmission is being put into "fail safe mode".

It says that this can happen "even if all circuits are working correctly". It says the car can be driven this way but it will not shift into overdrive in this condition. However, it DOES shift into overdrive with no problem.

The problem is most noticeable when shifting from first to second. It is a 4 wheel drive transmission. I took it to the Nissan dealer, where the service manager cleared the computer and said it was shifting "okay". However, the problem is still there.

The automatic transmission was flushed after the problem came up but that didn't make any difference. It has about 120,000 miles and the transmission was flushed at about 70,000 miles (shortly after I bought it used from this dealership).

I have had the vehicle 5 years and have noted the problem developing over the past month or so, but only noticed the diagnostic light a week ago (after I got it out of the shop after having a leaking hose replaced), after which I took it back to the dealer, who kept it four days and wasn't able to fix it. At least they didn't charge for it, so I guess they knew they hadn't really done anything to improve the situation. If you have any ideas, please let me know! Thanks for your help.

Gary

A. Okay Gary, lets try to put this puppy into self-diagnostic mode and see what we get.

1. Start the engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature.
2. Turn the ignition switch OFF.
3. Set the A/T mode switch to AUTO.
4. Turn the OD switch ON.
5. Move the gear selector to PARK.
6. Turn the ignition switch ON. (Do not start the engine.)

If the POWER light comes on, continue on. If not then the A/T Control Unit is probably bad.

1. Move the gear selector to the D position while stepping on the brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition switch OFF.
3. Turn the OD switch OFF.
4. Turn the ignition switch ON. (Do not start the engine.)
5. Move the gear selector to 2.
6. Turn the OD switch ON.
7. Move the gear selector to 1.
8. Turn the OD switch OFF.
9. Depress gas pedal fully and release it.
10. Read the POWER lamp.

The POWER lamp will start blinking to indicate the stored codes. There will be ten flashes in all. The way it shows the code is by a long flash. So a code three would flash like this:

Short - Short - Long - Short - Short. The short flashes are one second and the long flashes are two seconds long with a one second pause between flashes. When you get the code. let me know and we'll go from there.