Nissan Pathfinder Gearbox & Transmission Problems

There are many reasons, some mechanical, some electrical, why a vehicle won't select four-wheel-drive when the driver requests it. But the first thing we'd check would be the electrical connections from the rotary dial on the dashboard and the mechanical components that dial controls.

In the old days, four-wheel-drive was selected by mechanical levers that moved the internal bits of the transfer case to the correct position to engage the front driveshaft and, in turn, the front differential and axles. But in your Pathfinder (and many other makes and models) manufactures started using electrical switches instead of actual levers. The idea was that by electrically controlling this function, there was less effort required from the driver. The reality is that these dials are as susceptible to electrical gremlins as any other part of the car.

Check the fuses that protect the selection dial and if that's not the problem, have the rotary dial itself checked for faults.

I would doubt that he has any claim; clutches are considered a wear and tear item and not covered by warranty.

It isn't unusual to have a problem with the auto at that sort of mileage. Most appear to be down to a problem with the oil cooler splitting, which allows coolant to enter the transmission, which can then cause problems with the inbuilt ECU.

Nissan specialist Jerry Newman advises that you first get it scanned, then check the connections to the electric motor on the transfer case for corrosion or anything else might affect then operation of the motor, and finally check the motor itself. If the vehicle has been used offroad it's possible that water has contaminated the connections or has entered the motor itself.

The problem relates to the lock-up torque converter. We have had a number of similar complaints, probably more with the Navara than the Pathfinder, but the same nonetheless. We contacted Nissan about it and were told, "the automatic transmission lock-up setting has been set to optimise fuel economy. Once the vehicle hits 60 km/h the driver needs to depress the accelerator further in order to activate a step-down in gear. This setting does not cause the vehicle to stall. In short, activating a step-down in gear on an incline above a speed of 60 km/h simply comes down to certain driving styles."

If you've done 105,000 km on the original clutch, you've done well, but if it's starting to slip it's getting close to the time it needs to be replaced. The original factory-fitted clutch has done a pretty good job for you, so you could happily fit a new one, but there are aftermarket heavy-duty clutches available and one of those might be more suitable given you plan to do a lot of towing with it.

Our Nissan specialist Jerry Newman services a dozen or more turbo diesel Pathfinders and he hasn’t seen any with overheating problems. The only issues he has seen are related to the variable build quality coming out of the plant in Spain, and they’re usually rattles and squeaks etc.