Fuel gauge problem and Sevice Engine Soon light

[mpe235]

The problem on the older xterras was much different than the problem occuring on the new ones (2005-2008). The problem on the new one will not cause your engine to quit it just makes the gauge read incorrectly (usually reads less fuel than you actually have)
I don't think the government could require nissan to recall them for that reason. It would have to pose an obvious safety concern. Nissan would have to voluntarily recall them. I agree nissan should pay for the repair. I think they should at least cover the sending unit for the same time frame as the fuel pump which is 5 years or 60k miles.

[BlueT]

Originally Posted by mpe235

The problem on the older xterras was much different than the problem occuring on the new ones (2005-2008). The problem on the new one will not cause your engine to quit it just makes the gauge read incorrectly (usually reads less fuel than you actually have)
I don't think the government could require nissan to recall them for that reason. It would have to pose an obvious safety concern. Nissan would have to voluntarily recall them. I agree nissan should pay for the repair. I think they should at least cover the sending unit for the same time frame as the fuel pump which is 5 years or 60k miles.

Ahhh, here is where I posted before. This same thing is in the pathfinder section too.

Yeah, the fuel sensor issue is not a safety item. However, Nissan originally put in a defective part and should stand behind the repair instead of changing the sensor in the complete fuel pump assembly (covered under the warrenty) and passing the cost over to the customer ................. not a smart move by Nissan.

[jojo566]

I have a 2005 Nissan Xterrra and I have been experiencing the same problem with my fuel level indicator/sender unit. After filling the tank and driving around 140 miles the level indicator shows that the tank is empty. I was quoted that it would cost around $700.00 to repair.

[mpe235]

Originally Posted by BlueT

Ahhh, here is where I posted before. This same thing is in the pathfinder section too.

Yeah, the fuel sensor issue is not a safety item. However, Nissan originally put in a defective part and should stand behind the repair instead of changing the sensor in the complete fuel pump assembly (covered under the warrenty) and passing the cost over to the customer ................. not a smart move by Nissan.

Actually if you think about it, it was a brilliant move by nissan. Think about how much money they are saving by not having to pay for the repairs.

[BlueT]

Originally Posted by mpe235

Actually if you think about it, it was a brilliant move by nissan. Think about how much money they are saving by not having to pay for the repairs.

Yeah, I know what you mean. Not only is Nissan saving money, but making a huge profit from their original mistake. A part they probably get for, what, $50 (less mark-up) and 2 hours labor time -- then charging upward to $700 as posted here?

That should tick a lot of people off I'd think. It's a principle thing for me.

But, it really gave me a very bitter taste and Nissan customer service is just plain lousy as it gets. I paid for the repair so it's done. I'll be in the market for a new vehicle soon and it's a shame cause there is a lot I like about my truck -- I bought mine the first month this new model hit the lot. The sensor thing is a pretty small item too so I hate to see if something major developed.

I do know other manufactures have much better customer service and stand behind their products and mistakes, that is for sure.

[mpe235]

Originally Posted by BlueT

Yeah, I know what you mean. Not only is Nissan saving money, but making a huge profit from their original mistake. A part they probably get for, what, $50 (less mark-up) and 2 hours labor time -- then charging upward to $700 as posted here?

That should tick a lot of people off I'd think. It's a principle thing for me.

But, it really gave me a very bitter taste and Nissan customer service is just plain lousy as it gets. I paid for the repair so it's done. I'll be in the market for a new vehicle soon and it's a shame cause there is a lot I like about my truck -- I bought mine the first month this new model hit the lot. The sensor thing is a pretty small item too so I hate to see if something major developed.

I do know other manufactures have much better customer service and stand behind their products and mistakes, that is for sure.

If you paid $700 for that repair you got robbed. We charge 2.5 hours labor . Parts and labor for that job should be $300 or less.Maybe $400 if you include the diag charges.

[BlueT]

Originally Posted by mpe235

If you paid $700 for that repair you got robbed. We charge 2.5 hours labor . Parts and labor for that job should be $300 or less.Maybe $400 if you include the diag charges.

I paid $419 to get the thing done. What I was implying is that some folks posted they got a quote as high as $700. This problem is posted in most of the truck sections on the forum and that price is probably in another section. Even at $400, it's still a good profit for Nissan.

[quiet451]

My '06 Xterra now has this problem. I went to gas up from 1/4 full tank. I left the gas station without looking at how much gas I put in the car. About 5 minutes later I looked at the gauge and it was still on 1/4 tank. I went back to the gas station and they confirmed that I put in 15 gallons of gas. I then started driving back home and the "Service Engine Soon" light came on.

This comes at a bad time, since my air conditioning recently stopped working. I should have learned my lesson from the POS Pathfinder I used to own.

[darkness1]

so today i finally fixed my fuel level sensor. i can pass emissions. i am so happy i did not spend crazy dealership prices to get it fixed. for $85 and a couple hours you too can fix this problem. not $400-$500 like they want you to. attached or some pics to help you out as you go along.
1. jack up driver rear side and remove tire
2. disconnect fuel and electrical lines to tank
the one electrical line will require two small screwdrivers to undo the clip
3. remove 3 bolts on the straps that hold the tank in place
4. slowly drop gas tank down ( less gas the easier to drop) me and a friend could hold it with one hand each not that bad at all
5. unclip electrical harness at top of sending unit (do not disconnect the fuel line because gas will come out. learned the hard way. lol.
6. with hammer and screwdriver remove locking ring on top
7. pull out sending unit completely from tank
8. the sensor is on the very bottom unclip 2 harness and it slides off the unit
9. replace with new fuel level sensor
fuel level sending unit part # 25060-zs00a bought online at CourtesyNissanparts.com for $85 including shipping
10. follow steps in reverse to assemble back together
and your done. and yes it really is that easy. took me about 2 hours to do and i think i spent more time drinking then working. so good luck to all and hope this helps.

[sergey85]

good write up and pics

[aka_rocket]

awesome that i found this place. i have been having the same problem and was quoted $500. thanks for the DIY info.

[mschris]

I have a 2006 Nissan Xterra. I have a problem with the fuel indicator. It does not drop down to "E" to indicate that I am nearing empty. The fuel indicator will go down to between 1/2 and 1/4 and that is where it stays unless I refuel. I have ran out of gas twice with this problem. Both times, I have taken the Xterra into the shop and they have claimed to fix it. Labor day weekend, I ran into the same problem again. I have an appt to take it in tomorrow morning. My 36K mile warranty has expired since I now have 38K miles on the truck.

[wcfields]

Good evening every one

The fuel gauage is a major problem and Nissan will not lift a finger to help any one with the problem. I had the same problem with my 05 Xterra and St Charles nissan did the repairs under the extened warranty. Nissan customer satisfaction is a joke.

[mschris]

I am contacting an attorney to see what I can do under the Lemon Law. I have had my xterra in the shop 3 times for the same problem that they claim to fix each time.

[nistec]

I live in Canada and I know that when I worked for V.W. we replaced fuel guage sending units all the time. Mostly on vehicles that went to a certain area of the country. Later it was determined that an additive in some fuels
(I believe Shell gas) was the cause. On some gas stations they had 1-800#s posted if you had fuel gauge problems and I believe they were reemburseing people for this.

I am wondering if you guys have anything in common with where you buy fuel,or what additives are in it?

[nissan master tech]

i've replaced these on several nissan suv's and frontiers....i agree that there is a defect on the contacts as the fingers on the contacts seem to break halfway off on all the ones i've seen...but unfortunatly its a 3 year 36k mile part on the frontier or xterra but on the titans and armadas its 5 year 60k cause the sending unit is not avail separately from the pump...best bet is to call nissan customer service at 1-800 nissan and open up a report

[wolfnutz]

Exact same problem as described above happened to me this morning at 51k and 19 days out of warranty.

[xhillerate]

Hi Everyone,

Well this is my last nissan (2005 xterra s) I just hope i will be able to drive it to the ground before something else goes wrong with it!!

Here is the list of problems so far.

Yes-the fuel gauge problem @54000

Front u joint bad replaced impleller shaft and u joint@5400

rear seal at the differential leaking @54000

a exhaust???? rattle every time i start out in the morning (gone when warmed up)-still need to diagnose problem-something I can live with I guess@54000

evaporator canister release problem @54000

Trailer hitch replacement @12000

Rear Cup holder broken @45000

antitheft lug nut broke@54000

nissan did take care of the u joint, seal, trailer hitch and the cupholder under warranty.

I just waiting for the other shoe to drop!!!!!!!!!

[mbcwildcat]

thanks for information very helpful in talking with dealer who didn't want to acknowledge that sender could be problem.

Originally Posted by mschris

I have a 2006 Nissan Xterra. I have a problem with the fuel indicator. It does not drop down to "E" to indicate that I am nearing empty. The fuel indicator will go down to between 1/2 and 1/4 and that is where it stays unless I refuel. I have ran out of gas twice with this problem. Both times, I have taken the Xterra into the shop and they have claimed to fix it. Labor day weekend, I ran into the same problem again. I have an appt to take it in tomorrow morning. My 36K mile warranty has expired since I now have 38K miles on the truck.

Originally Posted by MassPathy

Hi... had the EXACT same thing happen this past Sunday to my 2006 Pathfinder with 47k miles, with the exception that my gauge went to completely empty. The DTE read ------ . Did some research and found Service Bulletin NTB07-069a , link below, which seems to indicate this is a real problem with several models, including Xterra's. I went to AutoZone and pulled the code PO463 which confirmed the fuel sending unit as the issue. Now trying to find out why they apparently won't cover it. Good luck.




NTB07-069a

[mbcwildcat]

dealer did't want to ackowledge problem that they might be having with sending units and consumer reports gave xterra a good rating. Oh well if they don't want to be helpful with this problem i'll go somewhere else to buy my vehicles.

Originally Posted by mschris

I have a 2006 Nissan Xterra. I have a problem with the fuel indicator. It does not drop down to "E" to indicate that I am nearing empty. The fuel indicator will go down to between 1/2 and 1/4 and that is where it stays unless I refuel. I have ran out of gas twice with this problem. Both times, I have taken the Xterra into the shop and they have claimed to fix it. Labor day weekend, I ran into the same problem again. I have an appt to take it in tomorrow morning. My 36K mile warranty has expired since I now have 38K miles on the truck.

Originally Posted by MassPathy

Hi... had the EXACT same thing happen this past Sunday to my 2006 Pathfinder with 47k miles, with the exception that my gauge went to completely empty. The DTE read ------ . Did some research and found Service Bulletin NTB07-069a , link below, which seems to indicate this is a real problem with several models, including Xterra's. I went to AutoZone and pulled the code PO463 which confirmed the fuel sending unit as the issue. Now trying to find out why they apparently won't cover it. Good luck.

JJ


NTB07-069a