QuestionQUESTION: i was told the idle air control valve is bad on my pathfinder, after diagnostics i am told that caused a 12volt shock to the main computer and it has to be replaced...can that happened or can the idle air control valve be replaced and fixed without putting in a new computer...i dont have that kind of money...
ANSWER: Hi Danielle -
First of all are there any codes? Is the check engine light on? If you had the codes checked, what were the numbers?
Secondly, what kind of performance issues are you having with your engine? Rough idle, no power, can't idle, etc?
The IAC and the other sensors run with millivolts(MV), so I am doubtful that a 12V shock went to the computer.
Let me know -
aloha
calvin
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: hi,
i was on the turnpike and when i pressed the brake the car died...i had to put it in neutral keep my foot on the gas and the brake at the same time and drip it in gear until i got home. as soon as you let go of the gas or brake the car dies. no warning, an engine light came on stayed on for two days and then went off so i ignored it. i took it to a mechanic he said it was idle air control valve and he ordered th part from nissan put it on and said it still died when braking he suggested i take it to the dealer because they would have to program it, so he said he put the old part back on because replacing it didnt fix it, so the dealer said it was definatly bad and i told them to fix it then they called back and said after more diagnostics the computer in the truck received a 12v shock and has to be replaced..so the bill went from 500 to 1800 in a half hour and they also told me the mechanic i originally took it to never took the old off and put a new one because a bolt was seized, so they bad mouthed the original mechanic..dont know who to believe...and nissan has my truck
help
AnswerHi Danielle -
Wow. I really wish I was there to look at your vehicle. I can then tell you what really happened. I apologize as I can only give you my thoughts. I know you want to get to the bottom of this.
Anyway. The important thing right now is to get your car running for the least cost to you. I don't know what the first mechanic did (or did not do), but it surely sounds like the IAC to me. However it would throw the check engine light, and you say it is not on?
If NIssan is saying that the computer is fried with a 12V shock, then can you ask them how they tested it, and get back to me? If that is true then the first mechanic probably jumped a 12V hot wire to the IAC, not knowing that the system uses millivolts. Connecting a 12V lead would fry it immediately.
I wish I was there to check it out.
Let me know -
aloha
calvin
