My 5spd manual 2004 Xterra XE has thrown yet another check engine light at me. I have only owned it aince october 2016...Since purchasing it from a private seller i have been spending a lot of time repairing it...from the knock sensor, suspension, breaks, speed sensor. Catalyst, you name it i more than likely have done it. Sooo with that said my Xterra (Theo) is throwing P0420, P0430 AND P0500...I HAVE HAD REPAIRS DONE FOR ALL CODES..CATALYST BOTH, O2 SENSORS, AND SPEED SENSOR. I WENT SOO FAR TO BUY ANOTHER BRAND NEW SPEED SENSOR FROM THE DEALER AND PUT IT IN...The one replaced in november apparently broke...cause upon taking it out the grooved end that spins i assume came off and rolled....Has anyone experienced this? Or is it best to let it go and trade the 04 in for a differet exterra...i have spent a pretty penny doing more repairs than intended as upon purchase i tracking the speed sensor....not the whole cabootle i got...but fixed with mo problem but these being the same codes i am a little pissed and at my wits end...
P0420 p0430 and p0500
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Just bought a 2007 Automatic Xterra SE March 27th. Before buying, it had a CE light on for a cylinder 1 misfire so the guy took it to some mechanic and they only changed one coil and spark plug. Test drove it after and it was fine, bought it and couldnt even get it home without the SES light coming on. Got it coded and the code was P0420 for the low efficiency of the Cat. Took it back the mechanic guy and he supposedly changed the one coil on cylinder 1 and the light turned off. started driving it home and the light came back on. The only things I know to change is to replace all spark plugs and coils and then we want to change the radiator to kill the issue of it leaking coolant into the trans. The only other things wrong with the car is the driver window regulator is going out, the window goes down and you have to bang on the door to make it come back up. The other thing is the locking mechanism for the gas door, is messed up so we have a new clip to install to make it lock. Other than that im not sure what we need to do to get it running like it should again.
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Jaci - You doing any of those repairs on your own, or are you taking somewhere to deal with them each time the check engine light comes on? If you paid someone to do your knock sensor, you probably spent $450+ unnecessarily right there. Do a search for your current codes. Spend some time reading and you'll often get some tips on what you can try on your own. It's a great tool to supplement the service manual, which is also found on this site. Alternatively, you can trade it in on a newer vehicle, maybe even one under warranty, so you won't be bothered with repairs for awhile. I don't know what you expected, but older vehicles eventually need new suspension components and brake jobs. Ours, also needs the timing belt replaced every 105,000 miles, which isn't cheap if you're paying someone else to do it. It won't trigger the check engine light to remind you, but it's every bit as important as some of the things you listed having replaced in attempt to shut it off.
Serena - Your Xterra doesn't even have the same engine as the OP. Create your own thread, or search for your specific codes and read up if you're ready to start troubleshooting on your own.
Serena - Your Xterra doesn't even have the same engine as the OP. Create your own thread, or search for your specific codes and read up if you're ready to start troubleshooting on your own.
Okay allow me clear something with everyone. I intentionally bought my Xterra as a 2004 as I liked the body and I also love the fact that it was a 5 speed manual. I own a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle, so I do believe I knew what I expected. The timing belt has already been changed along with the water pump. I had the transmission sealed, the clutch redone, the speed sensor, the suspension, shocks, etc. I am not totally clueless. I have been working on cars for quite sometime.
I actually am very hands on with my Xterra. So the knock sensor I did myself. Matter of fact I took it to the auto craft shop and took it apart one day after owning it. Tore the engine down in one day and then the next put it back together in the morning. To finish that job I took it on a road trip that included taking it off road...Following that numerous repairs. I have also done the speedometer sensor after the initial repair at the mechanic failed. I have done the majority of the repairs MYSELF. So before you pass anymore judgment on me you may want to check what I wrote earlier and reread it. I identified the codes. Also I have the Manual on how to do the at home repairs on the 2004 Xterra and the owner’s manual. So I think I know my way quite well around a vehicle to include my Volkswagen 03 and my 04 Xterra. It’s nothing for me to tear it down and work on it. Trust me I don’t waste no time on maintenance as it appears the previous owner who was guy neglected the mess out it. My vehicles are well cared for. So allow me to try again with my issue as the mechanic does not quite know why the codes keeps throwing.
So again here are the codes:
P0500 = SPEED SENSOR (VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR MALFUNCTION)
Possible Causes:
• Faulty Vehicle Speed Sensor (REPAIRED)
• Vehicle speed sensor harness or connectors is open or shorted (Checked and there is no issue)
• Vehicle speed sensor circuit poor electrical connection (Mechanic Said it was fine)
• Faulty Engine Control Module (ECM) (Mechanic Said it was fine)
P0420 = CATALYST SYSTEM EFFIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD (BANK 1)
Possible Causes:
• Three way catalyst converter Bank 1
• Exhaust tube
• Intake air leaks
• Fuel injectors may be faulty
• Fuel injector leaks
• Spark plugs may be faulty (CHANGED)
• Improper ignition timing
• Engine Control Module (ECM)
P0430 = CATALYST SYSTEM EFFIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD (BANK 2)
Possible Causes:
• Three way catalyst converter Bank 2
• Exhaust tube
• Intake air leaks
• Fuel injectors may be faulty
• Fuel injector leaks
• Spark plugs may be faulty
• Improper ignition timing
• Engine Control Module (ECM
I actually am very hands on with my Xterra. So the knock sensor I did myself. Matter of fact I took it to the auto craft shop and took it apart one day after owning it. Tore the engine down in one day and then the next put it back together in the morning. To finish that job I took it on a road trip that included taking it off road...Following that numerous repairs. I have also done the speedometer sensor after the initial repair at the mechanic failed. I have done the majority of the repairs MYSELF. So before you pass anymore judgment on me you may want to check what I wrote earlier and reread it. I identified the codes. Also I have the Manual on how to do the at home repairs on the 2004 Xterra and the owner’s manual. So I think I know my way quite well around a vehicle to include my Volkswagen 03 and my 04 Xterra. It’s nothing for me to tear it down and work on it. Trust me I don’t waste no time on maintenance as it appears the previous owner who was guy neglected the mess out it. My vehicles are well cared for. So allow me to try again with my issue as the mechanic does not quite know why the codes keeps throwing.
So again here are the codes:
P0500 = SPEED SENSOR (VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR MALFUNCTION)
Possible Causes:
• Faulty Vehicle Speed Sensor (REPAIRED)
• Vehicle speed sensor harness or connectors is open or shorted (Checked and there is no issue)
• Vehicle speed sensor circuit poor electrical connection (Mechanic Said it was fine)
• Faulty Engine Control Module (ECM) (Mechanic Said it was fine)
P0420 = CATALYST SYSTEM EFFIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD (BANK 1)
Possible Causes:
• Three way catalyst converter Bank 1
• Exhaust tube
• Intake air leaks
• Fuel injectors may be faulty
• Fuel injector leaks
• Spark plugs may be faulty (CHANGED)
• Improper ignition timing
• Engine Control Module (ECM)
P0430 = CATALYST SYSTEM EFFIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD (BANK 2)
Possible Causes:
• Three way catalyst converter Bank 2
• Exhaust tube
• Intake air leaks
• Fuel injectors may be faulty
• Fuel injector leaks
• Spark plugs may be faulty
• Improper ignition timing
• Engine Control Module (ECM
Also, I do not sit around just waiting for a check engine light nor do I panic when it triggers. Therefore, I am not someone to try to patronize on this forum. I am simply just looking for insight or oh I don't know someone who has similar experiences or has had this happen too. So, if you don't know just say you don't know and don't respond. Especially if you have nothing note worthy to say or if you are going to talk down to me like I am someone who doesn't know how to distinguish a screw drive from a flat tip or star bit...I am not helpless. I am just a fellow Xterra owner trying to figure out what other courses of action can be done to get my Xterra running like a Champ. I may be new to forum, but I am not clueless. Are we crystal clear?
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Didn't mean to patronize. I merely asked if you had paid someone to do the repairs because your original post gave that impression, especially with regards to troubleshooting your CEL. You even wrote that "YOU HAVE HAD REPAIRS DONE FOR ALL CODES". Hope that clears it up.
I stand by my suggestion to search the forums for your codes and read everything you can. Participation isn't what it used to be, so you're actually better off reading past threads on your topic, from when participation was greater. But you're so smart, I'm sure you knew that already.
Good luck
I stand by my suggestion to search the forums for your codes and read everything you can. Participation isn't what it used to be, so you're actually better off reading past threads on your topic, from when participation was greater. But you're so smart, I'm sure you knew that already.
Good luck
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The instrument cluster can cause the speed sensor malfunction. In fact it can make your vehicle stall and die on automatics.
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For P0500, the speed sensor A, is what is called out. However, with a little due diligence, I discovered that the instrument cluster had some, visible, via a magnifying glass, degenerated solder joints at the connection receptacles on the PC board. I busted out the old soldering iron with so e solder and reflowed the cracked solder joints located at the pins. Hope that helps
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