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My 2006 Pathfinder barely tows a 1000 lb trailer
Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 3:29 pm
by Titus_RacerX
Can anyone help me diagnose a problem where my 2006 Pathfinder can't tow a small pop-up camper. It tows fine on a level highway but really struggles on inclines. I was towing my camper in the North Georgia mountains this weekend and had to pull over due to the camper throwing a code and going into limp mode. I cleared the code by disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes and allowing the vehicle to cool down.
If I can't fix this with minimum cash outlay, it's going to be sold.
Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 4:49 pm
by disallow
The pathfinder should be able to tow 1000lbs with out you even noticing its there.
You need to tell us the codes that it came up with so we can help you diagnose it. But it sounds like some kind of transmission issue. Have you checked for the contamination issue?
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Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2017 10:57 am
by Titus_RacerX
I'll see if there is still a code to pull since I disconnected the battery for 30 minutes. I don't plan to cause this to throw the code again (prefers not to be towed home).
Update: By disconnecting the battery, I cleared the error codes.
Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2017 6:56 am
by Thupertrooper
Transmission issue Hit or miss with some R51 owners. I dont use mine to tow yet. But local owner sold his since it couldnt tow a turtleback camping trailer with the same issue something about tranny overheating.
Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2017 9:22 am
by euroBen
My 2008 PF was like this- really underpowered going up hills and with towing. Discovered the fuel filter was clogged and it just wasn’t getting enough fuel through. Cost me £20 to replace; was the easiest job ever and now it’s like a new truck! It could literally pull a house down
Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2017 10:27 am
by eieio
euroBen wrote:My 2008 PF was like this- really underpowered going up hills and with towing. Discovered the fuel filter was clogged and it just wasn’t getting enough fuel through. Cost me £20 to replace; was the easiest job ever and now it’s like a new truck! It could literally pull a house down
do you have a diesel?
we can't buy fuel filters here in the USA without replacing the entire fuel pump assembly.
Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2017 11:20 am
by euroBen
Yes mine is a diesel
Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2017 11:40 am
by eieio
euroBen wrote:Yes mine is a diesel
.........that's what I figured
in the USA, we didn't get diesels, only gasoline engines
Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2017 12:05 pm
by euroBen
Sorry don’t know much about petrol engines but I’m guessing it could still be fuel filter issues? Your pathfinder should have no trouble towing.
Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2017 12:30 pm
by eieio
Thupertrooper wrote:Transmission issue Hit or miss with some R51 owners. I dont use mine to tow yet. But local owner sold his since it couldnt tow a turtleback camping trailer with the same issue something about tranny overheating.
Too bad we don't have the code that it threw available.
I tend to think that the problem is trans/driveline related, something like a slipping clutch in a manual transmission vehicle.
The OP's engine itself probably has nothing to do with this issue.
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 6:32 pm
by labsy
First try cleaning MAF sensor, which is just screwed with 2 bolts on air intake pipe, after air filter. Buy some MAF sensor cleaning spray (don't use any mechanical method or brake cleaner!), it's 8 EUR, remove 2 screws, pull the sensor out and clean it.
Also diesel filter is not so expensive and it's anyways meant to be replaced from time to time.
Otherways, if RPMs are going up and vehicle not going faster, then it's clutch. You will smell it soon.