Hi, My name is Sharon. I am a new owner of a 2002 Xterra SE. I got this car for a really good price but it needs some work. I am hoping to get some help from people who know more about this car than I do.

I look forward to talking to you all and its a pleasure to meet you all.

It looks like my Xterra needs a new fuel pump. we have spark, but no fuel. The fuse is good, the relay clicks and seems good, but the fuel pump does not power up. I was able to get to the pump via the access hole under the pass side rear seat, but I am not certain how to get the pump from its home inside the tank. Does anyone have any advice? Thank you.

It comes up via that passenger seat side hole....and, the terminals may be corroded on your '02...there's a TSB for that problem, and, your stealership may even fix it for free.

:D

welcome to the club!

Welcome!

Where you from?

It comes up via that passenger seat side hole....and, the terminals may be corroded on your '02...there's a TSB for that problem, and, your stealership may even fix it for free.

:D

How can I check the terminals? I have reseated the connections on the top of the fuel pump assembly a few times but not down in the tank. What connections should I check and how do you suggest cleaning them? I would have to find something tiny enough to get into the plugs no?

The problem I am having is getting it out of the bottom of the tank. I guess the fact that its full of gas doesnt help. I can get the top off about 3 inches or so and I see the fuel pump way down I want to pull it up all together but I can't free up the pump from the bottom. It seems to be retained by this white plastic contraption but I can't figure out how to get it loose.

Welcome!

Where you from?

I am from Putnam County, NY

welcome

welcome

I had that same problem happen on my honeymoon. Luckily, we made it out of the backcountry before it rendered us immobile. The connections that were corroded on mine were the ones that go into the fuel pump(outside the tank). I took it to a dealership and they replaced the part for free. I installed it, pretty tricky if your not mechanically inclined.
It was a recalled part, so unless your vehicle has already had the change, it should be free. They may be able to check that via vin #. Good luck, and welcome!

I had that same problem happen on my honeymoon. Luckily, we made it out of the backcountry before it rendered us immobile. The connections that were corroded on mine were the ones that go into the fuel pump(outside the tank). I took it to a dealership and they replaced the part for free. I installed it, pretty tricky if your not mechanically inclined.
It was a recalled part, so unless your vehicle has already had the change, it should be free. They may be able to check that via vin #. Good luck, and welcome!

does anyone know which connection this is and where its corroded? Is it on the pump side or on the harness side? The car is at my house, I rather not have to tow it to Nissan if I can clear off corrosion. I cant get to the terminals inside the plug, its way to tiny. Any advice?

On mine, it was the connector plug on the fuel pump relay OUTSIDE of the tank. One plug, two wires. The plastic broke and allowed the weather to corrode one of the wires, rendering no connectivity.
What happens is the engine can't tell the tank to send it gas.
Talk to your local dealership. Let them know that yours need warranty due to the recall. Take it out and get the new one. I had a guy at the local DOT help me instal mine. There are some clips and connectors that I could not figure out. What a way to finish off our honeymoon by sleeping in the X at a Conoco until the dealership could open in the morning. Just glad they had one in stock!
Maybe others can chime in to help you solve this.

On mine, it was the connector plug on the fuel pump relay OUTSIDE of the tank. One plug, two wires. The plastic broke and allowed the weather to corrode one of the wires, rendering no connectivity.
What happens is the engine can't tell the tank to send it gas.
Talk to your local dealership. Let them know that yours need warranty due to the recall. Take it out and get the new one. I had a guy at the local DOT help me instal mine. There are some clips and connectors that I could not figure out. What a way to finish off our honeymoon by sleeping in the X at a Conoco until the dealership could open in the morning. Just glad they had one in stock!
Maybe others can chime in to help you solve this.

can anyone help me?

i have the sending unit out. I found a decent amount of corrosion on the plug with the two connectors as described above by iceman, but this appears to be the power connection to the pump. What does this sending unit do besides tell the gas gauge how much gas to give? there is a sensor at the very bottom of the sending unit, what does this do?

what is worrying me is that I have no power at the plug for the pump (the plug with two wires) I changed the relay and the fuse panel has power. Does the plug with 4 wires on it have anything to do with telling the engine or computer to send gas or not? the fuel pump wont pump! please help.

Guys I got it fixed!!

It was the sending unit!

Runs great except the SES light is on!! Any ways to clear this? Even after unplugging the battery for a bit its still on right away.

if it comes back on that fast you'll have to fix whatever is setting it off. or just live with it. if the SES light isnt flashing then its not a big deal usually.

job well done!