For all you motorheads out there, here is a question that has left me and many mechanics absolutely baffled...

I own an '88 Pathfinder, V6 (throttle body injection), with 110K miles. I drive it daily, and it runs fine. Overnight, the following problem surfaced - the engine sputters at 2800 RPMs and wont go past that mark! It idles real nice runs absolutely fine before it reaches that mark. It doesnt matter what gear I'm in, what kind of load its under, the position of the throttle (which rules out the throttle position sensor, right?), the engine runs fine exactly until it reaches 2800 RPMs, and then begins to sputter and jerk until I lay off the throttle. (Although it seems to have a little less power and might miss while going up steep hills)

There are no vacuum leaks I've found, no obstructions in the exhaust (I temporarily disconnected the cat, and the problem doesnt go away) From a visual inspection, the injectors are getting plently of fuel at the point of sputtering. I changed plugs, wires, and cap, without solving the problem. What could the problem be?

Although, by use of the throttle, the engine wont go past 2800 RPMs, I was able to get it past that mark by downshifting while going down a steep hill. Here's what happens: the engine still runs above 2800 PRMs, though pressing on the gas pedal has no effect, save a slightly different sound from the engine. As the engine slows to 2800 RPMs, pressing on the gas will cause the violent, on-again off-again jerking, until it goes below the mark and runs fine.

I am at my wits end! If anyone knows a quick fix, or if this is a common problem with the old Nissan V6s, please let me know. Thanks!

Scott Roney

have you tried replacing the fuel filter? i don't know if that will help but that's regular maintanence a lot of people forget about. either way it'll be good for you PF

You need to do a fuel pump pressure and volume test.

I already changed the fuel filter but the problem persists. But get this:
I put a timing light to it at low RPMs, the timing is fine. As the RPMs increase, the timing naturally advances, but it keeps on advancing until it is way out of range (of the tickmarks) and the engine sputters at 2800 RPMs. So, it seems I have a timing advance problem, and I would assume the problem is either with the mechanical advance in the distributor or the ECU. How do I find what exactly is the cause? And if this is the case, what is the best (and cheapest) way to fix? Can I just replace the whole ECU with another Ive found in a junkyard?

hi im new and just bought a 96 pathy. i had similer problems. engine ran fine till it hit 2500 rpm and it would start to miss. replaced fuel filter, servised injectors, and did plugs and wires to no avail......BUT i found a mechanic who new what he was doing and found out the the DISTRIBITOR was shot and had to be replaced. ever since the pathy has ran perfect. have someone check that. because the distribitor was bad it was causing sensors to malfunction and sending misleading codes to the comp.

I have seen this problem before. Replace the Mass Air Flow Sensor. This is the sensor directly after the air filter.

I have seen this problem before. Replace the Mass Air Flow Sensor. This is the sensor directly after the air filter.

I'm not sure the afm could make an engine go into hard misfire at such a
predictable rpm regardless of load and therefore airflow.


I put a timing light to it at low RPMs, the timing is fine. As the RPMs increase, the timing naturally advances, but it keeps on advancing until it is way out of range (of the tickmarks) and the engine sputters at 2800 RPMs.

The amount of advance you are seeing is normal, the marks on the harmonic balancer are only for setting static [idle] timing. High rpm at light/no load will produce a large amount of advance, generally well in excess of the available timing marks.
I would certainly favour that the cas in the dizzy cannot produce a reliable output signal above this rpm, and is acting like a rev limiter.

just realized how old this post is!! lol!!
circeseye and smarr you set me up!! :lol:
Still, its always worth while to update a post with new thoughts on a problem for the benefit of others.

well isnt that the idea :wink:

well isnt that the idea :wink:

yup, 4 sure :)

I do know that on that model pathfinders the injectors go bad. Check the injector Resistance and how it sprays .. It could be either dumping to much fuel or not enough. If you ever check back on this.. :)

I do know that on that model pathfinders the injectors go bad. Check the injector Resistance and how it sprays .. It could be either dumping to much fuel or not enough. If you ever check back on this.. :)

The "2800 RPM misfire" you're experiencing is caused by the ECU limiting revs for you. That means it is in "safe mode" because either the MAF sensor, the O2 sensor or the throttle position sensor has died or is malfunctioning. Check your ECU error codes!