Fuel gauge problem and Sevice Engine Soon light

[crossingstitches]

We have a 2006 XTerra,
Sat. we filled it at the gas station and noticed right after leaving the station that the gauge still said a quarter of a tank, so we pulled into another gas station a few miles down to see if it would take more gas and it only took .70 worth, so when we started the engine again, the Service Engine Soon light was on. As we were driving down the road the gauge slowly started rising to the full mark. We had to fill it again before we got back from our trip and it did the same thing, didn't register our full tank and then slowly went up to the full mark, and the SES light has stayed on the whole time, any ideas??? Anyone else have this problem???
crossingstitches

[JAYBAILL]

Hi,
I just got back froom the dealer w/ my 2005 Pathfinder. I have a similar problem. My SES light comes on and my DTE guage reads ---- when the fuel gauge gets down to 1/4 of a tank. The dealer told me it registered error code PO463 and that I need a new fuel sending unit. Since my Pathfinder has 47,000 miles on it it is not covered by warranty. They tell me approx $600.00 to fix. In my case the SES light resets after approx 300 miles. As long as I keep the gas more than 1/4 of a tank the SES light won't come on. The dealer told me I won't be hurting the vehicle. Anyone else with this problem?
JAYBAILL

[vpnavy]

Originally Posted by JAYBAILL

Hi,
I just got back froom the dealer w/ my 2005 Pathfinder. I have a similar problem. My SES light comes on and my DTE guage reads ---- when the fuel gauge gets down to 1/4 of a tank. The dealer told me it registered error code PO463 and that I need a new fuel sending unit. Since my Pathfinder has 47,000 miles on it it is not covered by warranty. They tell me approx $600.00 to fix. In my case the SES light resets after approx 300 miles. As long as I keep the gas more than 1/4 of a tank the SES light won't come on. The dealer told me I won't be hurting the vehicle. Anyone else with this problem?
JAYBAILL

Until someone replies with specifics - I pulled this from your Service Manual. You can find more information if you jump over to http://x.nissanhelp.com/forums/Knowledgebase/links/74 and download Service Manual - Engine Control 2005 Nissan Pathfinder.

Hope this helps...

[gyroman]

My 2005 pathfinder is doing the same thing. Error code P0463. My Service Engine Soon light stays on constant. I guess the only way to fix it it to buy a new Fuel Pump/ Sensor unit...

[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

[elrodguitar]

I have a 2007 Nismo Crew Cab Frontier. At 55K my gauge went haywire. Sometimes it will work and sometimes I have to play it by ear.

[JLEWISTX]

2005 Pathfinder with 60k miles. Autozone gave diagnostic reading and now left to go to the dealer for the fuel sending unit. Not happy!

[bamawolves]

Originally Posted by elrodguitar

I have a 2007 Nismo Crew Cab Frontier. At 55K my gauge went haywire. Sometimes it will work and sometimes I have to play it by ear.

I have 2005 Nismo Crew Cab Froniter w/ 90,000 miles having the same problems. DTE shows - - - -, or flutuates badly, mpg flutates between 7 and 17 mpg, my mph shows 23 mph when I'm stopped, and the Service engine light stays on. Does your light come on? Nissan says it's my cat. converter, but I don't believe them.

[Retro]

I have a friend who has a 2005 Xterra w/44K miles and it has the same problem. Is Nissian making this good for folks out of warranty since it's obviously faulty part ??? Anyone have any insight dealing with dealers on this issue ??? Thanks

[hendrix89]

sounds like a recall is coming soon

[sekobx]

I have the same issue on my 2005 Pathfinder approximately 52k miles, I went to a local mechanic and they quoted me $500, doing some research i found that this is a common problem with nissans. Im currently out of warrante any way to get the dealer to fix this.. recall would be great!!!

[sekobx]

Another question, does anyone have intructions on how to change the fuel level sensor unit?

[mpe235]

Originally Posted by sekobx

Another question, does anyone have intructions on how to change the fuel level sensor unit?

It is really pretty simple. Remove the left rear wheel. Disconnect the hoses from the filler tube (one hose is difficult to disconnect. You will need 2 small screwdrivers to hold the retaining clip out while you seperate the hose.) After that remove 3 bolts holding the fuel tank straps. Lower the tank down enough so you can disconnect the electrical and fuel line from the top of the sending unit. With the tank removed use a screwdriver and hammer to turn the lock ring on the sending unit. After you get the pump/sending unit out just unclip the fuel level sensor and swap it out.

[Brian1879]

2005 Xterra with 60,000, P0463 computer error, which is the fuel level sending unit. Had to take it to the dealer to get it fixed, out of warranty, 463 dollars later... ouch!

[Retro]

Learned a few things on this issue. We were out of warranty as well and had to pay out of pocket for 2005 Xterra w/44,000 miles to get it fixed......kind of a rear end burner. Anyway use the P/N 25060-ZS00A on the service bulletin # NTB07-69a. This P/N is for the sender unit "only" @ $97.00 only vs. the sender unit & pump assembly @ $290.00. A lot of dealers don't have this part number and it only seems to show up if you give it to them directly. Total cost to replace and install a new one was $236.00..... thru a non dealer. Dealers quoted us $450 to $600..... ouch....plus they seemed very unhelpful in the Phoenix area. You decide price wise.

Attached is a picture of the sender unit. There is corrsion on the metal track/strip towards the full mark. Seems like most folks are having this problem towards 3/4 to a full tank. Could this part of the metal strip be corroding when it's not submersed in the fuel ?? If I have to guess it's a metal coating or type of metal used when maufactured problem.

Anyway that is my .02 cents worth.

[Retro]

The other kick in the pants is there is a recall for something to do with trailer hitch on this year 2005 Xterra. I'm sure it is a liablity/lawsuit cover your rear end (CYA) issue vs. no recall on the sender unit........ which is not a lawsuit type concern :eek:

[NVRDONE]

The same thing happened to my 06 pathy this afternoom. Gauge showed about 1/4 tank & display showed 54 miles to empty, so I didn't worry.
Foolish me - it died on a flat road, so my daughter brought me 2 gal. which got me going. I stopped & put in 10 gal more, yet the gauge still shows 1/4 tank. Off the the deater tomorrow we go.
I only have 27k, so I hope it's a warranty issue.

[BlueT]

I did a search and found out I'm not alone. Went to the gas station tonight with a little less then 3/4 tank and filled it up - had to stop at the store anyway so I gassed up. Anyway, driving down the road, I looked down and my fuel gauge is on empty and the light on. Interesting, I thought. Then the check engine comes on later. He, I was thinking some kind of gas pocket or something so I got home and un did the gas cap, and disconnect the battery. The check engine cleared, but the fuel empty is still there. I have a 2005 Frontier. Bought my truck new in 1/05 and now has 47K miles. It's been a great truck but I hope these things don't keep creeping up.

I did not go with the extended warranty. Although, These insurance just dont stop calling or sending mail. They said I would be taken off the list if I did not call, but that was like 1367 of the same messages ago. Those warranty places are relentless and just dont stop.

[thegreatxterra]

Apparently this is a bigger problem than I thought...there def. needs to be a RECALL!! A couple wks ago I went to the gas station to fill up, I was at about a 1/4 of a tank. After filling, got in the vehicle, turned it on, and saw that it was still saying I had a quarter of a tank. Anyways, I ignored it until a couple miles down the road the "service engine soon" light came on. Went directly to Nissan dealership and was told that I needed part number 25060- fuel level sensor and that it was gonna be $400, roughly, and that they'd have to drop my tank, dumping about $80 of GAS!! And of course, the extended warranty that I did purchase did not cover this!! GGRRRR!!!!!! Well, I said I'd wait until I spent most of the gas....but I really think that something should be done about this! Eventually, the needle read "full" but it took a couple days. I drive an '05 Xterra w/about 48k. If detailed instructions come out on how to "fix it youself", I'd def. be willing.

[thegreatxterra]

FILE A COMPLAINT AT THIS WEBSITE ---->>IVOQ - File a Complaint Apparently this is a problem that deserves a recall! Why should we take the cost of repair when this was an existing problem on earlier models? You'd think that something would have been done in order to prevent a repeat. Here is a copy of my complaint.

"I had 1/4 of a tank of gas and went to fill up. After filling up my gas tank, I turned on the car, at which point the needle did not register the full tank. After driving a couple miles, the check engine light came on. I went directly to the dealer and was told that it was a fuel sending unit/sensor and that it was no longer covered after 30K miles. After returning home and doing research, I went online to x.nissanhelp.com After performing a search, I came across many others who have experienced the same problem. Apparently it has something to do with the fuel sending unit. A similar problem was found on the 2000-2004 xterra models and a recall was performed when the vehicle would stop after not getting any fuel, posing a great danger. It seems that somthing in the unit is faulty and will corrode over time. There is a general consensus that everyone who is having the problem is experiencing the same thing after having the vehicle for over 2 yrs and with around 39k-49k. If this problem existed in previous models, and it was recalled, the 2005-2007 xterras, frontiers, and pathfinders should get this fixed at no charge to the customer!! Why wait for accidents and possible deaths, especially since the problem lies in an integral part of the vehicle. Cost of repair ranges from $300-600."

Please file the complaint if you agree that we, the loyal Nissan customers, should not have to pay for something that is clearly a defect on Nissan's part.