Nissan Repair: 97 Nissan Pathfinder 4wd, spark plug wires, nissan pathfinder

Question
QUESTION: Hello

I have an issue (or maybe more). I purchased this vehicle about 2 months ago. Seemed to run fine and completed a tune up (new spark plugs,oil change,etc). Pretty immediately afterwards it began running bad. It was stuttering upon acceleration and got worse from there. It eventually became inoperable but would start.( On the way to the mechanic it stalled and had to be towed) Mechanic completed a diagnostic which showed a bad knock sensor. I replaced that to no avail. Took it in again and was told it was the IACV. Just replaced that and the heater hose (it was leaking coolant badly) and still nothing. what are the other possibilities?

ANSWER: Hi Danya -

I would have you double check the ignition wires to see if it went back properly after the tune up. Can you tell me exactly what was done? Was there a wire change, or cap and rotor?

Does it miss (or stutter) only upon acceleration, or do you have that at idle as well?

Any check engine light on?

The more info you can give me, the better, as the vehicle is obviously not in front of me.

Let me know -
aloha
calvin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: There were no wire or cap and rotor changes. It was only the things I mentioned before. Just went out and started it. The idle seems mostly fine, dropping rpms a little sporadically. The minute it is put in drive and accelerated it sputters a lot and wants to stall. I forgot to mention that the exhaust has holes in it and sounds pretty bad, but it was that way when we purchased it and didn't have a problem until the tune up. One more thing, in case it matters, fuel injector cleaner was put in the tank when the tune up was done. Check engine light came on after tune up.

Answer
Hi Dayna -

I would definitely take it back to where you had the work done to have them double check. Could be when the spark plug wires were re-installed one of them is not secured properly, especially if it is in an area that is difficult to access.

If you did not have this issue before the tune up, then it has to do with something that was done. Also ensure that the fuel injector cleaner is compatible to how it is being used. Sometimes they create more harm than good, as some cleaners will actually clog the injectors.

The Check Engine light is on, probably becuase of the sputtering and the exhaust running rich, so it should go away after the situation is remedied.

Would be a good idea to replace the cap and rotor. Sometimes they develop carbon tracking. I am pretty sure it is something simple, and it has to do with the work that was just done. Just have to have whoever did it to re-trace back and check everything that was touched.

hope this helps -
aloha
calvin