First post. Hope you smart people can help.
I have a 2000 Xterra XE, 6 cylinder, 155,000 miles on it. Over a year ago, the service engine light came on (code 1320), but there were no symptoms so I let it be.
A month ago, it began idling roughly, occasionally dying at stop signs, and (once) died while driving at low speed. Two mechanics (going solely by the code) said it needed a new distributor, despite the fact that mine was relatively new. Had the distributor replaced, but it didn't solve the problem and the shop un-installed it. Their only other suggestion as replacing the computer, but they were clearly guessing and no way am I going to spend $1,100 on guesswork.
I have no idea whether the current problems relate in any way to the SES light or the code. I know it's common in older cars for the SES light to on permanently.
On Tuesday I had a different mechanic:
I drove about four miles and all was fine. But after parking the car for half an hour, I started up it again and the idle was rough. Not rough enough to threaten to die. Just "rumbly" with the tach lightly bouncing up and down.
I put it in drive and we got rolling. And after maybe 100 yards, I felt it losing power and the tach dropped. Several seconds later the engine died and all the dash lights came on.
As usual, it started right back up. But then ... death again. Every 100 or 200 yards. Always the drop in power followed a few seconds later by the engine quietly quitting.
After that happened eight or ten times, there was a final "episode" in which the tach dropped almost -- but not quite -- to zero. This time the engine didn't die and everything was fine (except my nerves) the rest of the way home. This is far and away the worst thing it's done to date.
The mechanic who did the work earlier this week has no idea what this could be.
We had already talked about replacing the idle air control valve. My other thought, based on looking around on the 'Net, is that something might be wrong with the crankshaft position sensor.
But if you knew how little I know about auto repair, you wouldn't take my word for anything. I'm a woman who knows nothing about cars, so please go easy on me!
And thanks for whatever help you can give.
I have a 2000 Xterra XE, 6 cylinder, 155,000 miles on it. Over a year ago, the service engine light came on (code 1320), but there were no symptoms so I let it be.
A month ago, it began idling roughly, occasionally dying at stop signs, and (once) died while driving at low speed. Two mechanics (going solely by the code) said it needed a new distributor, despite the fact that mine was relatively new. Had the distributor replaced, but it didn't solve the problem and the shop un-installed it. Their only other suggestion as replacing the computer, but they were clearly guessing and no way am I going to spend $1,100 on guesswork.
I have no idea whether the current problems relate in any way to the SES light or the code. I know it's common in older cars for the SES light to on permanently.
On Tuesday I had a different mechanic:
- Change sparkplugs and wires
- Replace the distributor cap and rotor
- Replace the air filter
- Replace the fuel filter
- Clean the mass air-flow sensor and throttle body
- Replace the cold-start sensor (think that's the right name for it)
- Check for vacuum leaks
I drove about four miles and all was fine. But after parking the car for half an hour, I started up it again and the idle was rough. Not rough enough to threaten to die. Just "rumbly" with the tach lightly bouncing up and down.
I put it in drive and we got rolling. And after maybe 100 yards, I felt it losing power and the tach dropped. Several seconds later the engine died and all the dash lights came on.
As usual, it started right back up. But then ... death again. Every 100 or 200 yards. Always the drop in power followed a few seconds later by the engine quietly quitting.
After that happened eight or ten times, there was a final "episode" in which the tach dropped almost -- but not quite -- to zero. This time the engine didn't die and everything was fine (except my nerves) the rest of the way home. This is far and away the worst thing it's done to date.
The mechanic who did the work earlier this week has no idea what this could be.
We had already talked about replacing the idle air control valve. My other thought, based on looking around on the 'Net, is that something might be wrong with the crankshaft position sensor.
But if you knew how little I know about auto repair, you wouldn't take my word for anything. I'm a woman who knows nothing about cars, so please go easy on me!
And thanks for whatever help you can give.