ESP Light on 2007 Pathfinder

[Aaron]

A friend of mine's thinking about buying an 07-plate Pathfinder with very low mileage from a dealer just outside London. The car's been sitting on the forecourt for a few weeks and the battery has gone flat. The dealer jump-started the car from another vehicle and it ran fine. However, the ESP light on the dash stayed illuminated right through the testdrive. The dealer reckons that this is because the electronics are 'confused and will settel down when it's been run for a bit'. Is this likely?

A second question is that the battery shows distinct signs of having been overcharged (it looks as if quite a bit of electrolyte has jumped out of the breather), presumably in an effort to get the car started so my friend could test drive it. Is this overcharging likely to have damaged the electronics?

I eagerly await the benefit of your collective knowledge and experience!

Many thanks,

Aaron

 

[lacroupade]

Its a no-brainer.....the Pathfinder isn't the best of buys TBH but if thats what he wants.

If he's buying an 07 plate it should be from a Nissan dealer so he knows what he's getting and that it should be a sorted motor or the resources are there to fix it if anything goes wrong.

The problem is that if this is a non-franchise garage (and it sounds like it is) they might even stoop to dodgy methods to just extinguish the light.

Given that its ESP he has two options; either the garage fixes it and provides evidence of what was done, or he walks away.

Personally, because its about vehicle stability I'd walk away - there are plenty more of these things around.

 

[extreme-4x4]

on an 07 plate if anything is wrong. walk away.

 

[lacroupade]

on an 07 plate if anything is wrong. walk away.

oh dear Colin, we just agreed about something - SCREECH!:lol

 

[extreme-4x4]

but we agree on everything ALWAYS
infact i cant remember any occasions recently when you have not agreed with me :kissy:kissy:kissy

 

[lacroupade]

but we agree on everything ALWAYS
infact i cant remember any occasions recently when you have not agreed with me :kissy:kissy:kissy

oh spare me, you know I was just born right!

Its a real burden being so smart you know, I don't carry it easily! :augie

 

[Aaron]

Guys,

Thanks very much for the input - you've confirmed my fears and the advice I gave to said friend.

However, I've passed on your advice but unfortunately he's reached the point of no return and is committed to buying the Pathfinder. I've advised him to make a note of all the faults and the dealer's responses and actions to remedy them. I'll also direct him to this website!

I'll let you know what happens!

Thanks again.

Aaron

 

[Deleted account DD]

Guys,

Thanks very much for the input - you've confirmed my fears and the advice I gave to said friend.

However, I've passed on your advice but unfortunately he's reached the point of no return and is committed to buying the Pathfinder. I've advised him to make a note of all the faults and the dealer's responses and actions to remedy them. I'll also direct him to this website!

I'll let you know what happens!

Thanks again.

Aaron

Jeez that dealer is full of shit. If the lights on theres a problem cars dont get confused, women get confused about cars :augie

I too would walk away from that one. Having had a 59 top of the range pathfinder for the past two weeks, if your mate wants to sign up and pm me, I'll pass on several reasons not to even walk up to any pathfinder

There are loads of significantly better 4x4s out there for less dosh.

The pathfinder looks even worse when my comparisons and comments on handling & power (or lack of it) and the poorly matched auto box are based on a benchmark of the cars Ive owned ove r the past two years which are a 2002 jeep grand cherokee and a 200 terrano 2,7tdi on svo.

Put it this way, I love driving 4x4s and when the tree huggers ask me why I say because I can :lol i thought the pathfinder would be fun and as it was on my next car possible shopping list a good chance to try it out. However at the hire place I could have had a top range sigma as a non 4x4 alternative.

Guess who's been kicking himself for the past two weeks and had a wander round the jeep dealers to cheer up :lol:lol:lol:lol

 

[lacroupade]

Probably why it bombed when it first came out and gets consistently dim reviews....:augie

Aaron stop him before its too late.....especially if its a non-Nissan dealer....an ESP fault could kill him and his family...why take the risk?????

 

[Deleted account DD]

Here we all are slagging off (quite deservedly) the pathfinder without asking a couple of questions.

There may not actually be anything wrong with the esp. It could be switched off!!! :lol:lol

On the pathfinder theres a switch on a row just ahead of the gear lever and the middel one switches off the esp. It doesnt have any kind of tell tale light but when its switched off the esp dash warning light comes on :augie:augie

I'll be honest Ive just thought about that switch :doh

 

[Aaron]

I spoke to him yesterday and he's definitely tied in for a number of reasons, not all to do with the deal. I will have another word anyway and see what can be done.

Before this incident I knew nothing about Pathfinders - I had no idea they were so 'highly' regarded. I wish I'd known when my friend said he was considering getting one.

Thanks again Ladies and Gentlemen.

Aaron

 

[TONUP]

I really like the look of the Pathfinder and would seriously consider getting one as my next towcar, when the mortgage is paid off that is, and in Practical Caravan this month they have given it (2.5DCI) a glowing recommendation a solid reliable car along with its stablemate the Navara, although they do point out that several issues should be sorted on earlier ones.

I guess all manafacturers make the occasional 'Friday Car' but not every car off the line can be bad from a company such as Nissan, which generally are known for fairly good build quality?

Alan

 

[macabethiel]

ESP light

I would make sure the battery is OK and fully charged ESP faults are common on a lot of vehicles and the fix can be anything from a clearing of fault codes to more complex electronics.
On Mercs it is often a faulty wheel sensor or connection when a vehicle has had new pads fitted.

We have fault codes at work that appear on used Mercs that have been started from a battery pack and they are usually easily sorted on the PDI.

Is there any manufacturers warranty left ?

If the fault re-appears I would get it checked by a main dealer when its such a new vehicle.

 

[Deleted account DD]

I really like the look of the Pathfinder and would seriously consider getting one as my next towcar, when the mortgage is paid off that is, and in Practical Caravan this month they have given it (2.5DCI) a glowing recommendation a solid reliable car along with its stablemate the Navara, although they do point out that several issues should be sorted on earlier ones.

I guess all manafacturers make the occasional 'Friday Car' but not every car off the line can be bad from a company such as Nissan, which generally are known for fairly good build quality?

Alan

I havent read the practical caravan mag so I cant comment.

Theres absolutely nothing wrong with the build quality on the pathfinder im using (stuck with) that is one of its spot on traits. Its not a friday car.

Its the overall package. It just doesnt work coherently for a car that comes in over £30K

Please have a go of some Discoveries, Grand Cherokees and Land Cruisers for comparison, its unlikely you'll rate it the same afterwards.

I would summarise by saying Im travellling in less comfort , slower and using more fuel than in my Jeep.

 

[Deleted account DD]

Just out of interest what issues did they say needed sorting? Not by any change engine / autobox match :augie

The problem with some of the caravan mag comparisons ive looked at closely when shopping is they look at retail for the cars.

As an example of why thats a problem the cheapest i can see my pathfinder on line at the mo is £31 000 plus on road charges.

Grand cherokee overland tech which is normally over £35 000 is currently on offer for £29 000 on the road

That brings a luxury, highly competant and powerful 4x4 into the fray cheaper than a pick up derivative.

Pathfinders will never do well when theres that kind of competition around though on paper they may look good value. (even though what car give them a measly 2 stars)

As an example of how crap the pathfinder package is on the road, when I first got it i had to do a 30 mile trip 4 up. En route theres a slight hill after a roundabout on a dual carriage bypass o/s of a place called chilton.

Been that way many times and the jeep blasts up it, no problems apart from keeping to the speed limit.

In the pathfinder a different matter altogether. As we came off the roundabout its 2.5engine couldnt deliver the bit extra to hoof it up the hill. The auto box spent that much time hunting deciding what to do that by the time it decided we were half we up with foot to the boards at a pedestrian 65 mph. Crap.

I was that convinced it was me I went back and had another go. Twice. Same result.

It also has significant understeer especially at enthusiastic speeds. I am at driving miss daisy speeds on regaular routes where I would normally hurtle through roundabouts and other obstacles :augie

I would add that whilst doing this and the same weekly mileage as normal fuel costs have come down yet Ive paid more out :doh

The stereo is fantastic though :augie

 

[Aaron]

I would make sure the battery is OK and fully charged ESP faults are common on a lot of vehicles and the fix can be anything from a clearing of fault codes to more complex electronics.
On Mercs it is often a faulty wheel sensor or connection when a vehicle has had new pads fitted.

We have fault codes at work that appear on used Mercs that have been started from a battery pack and they are usually easily sorted on the PDI.

Is there any manufacturers warranty left ?

If the fault re-appears I would get it checked by a main dealer when its such a new vehicle.

The dealer that's selling it has offered a warranty so there is some safety net. Interestingly, the chap that's buying it also has a BMW 645 that had several errors turn up when he bought it. He says the dealer he bought the Beemer from offered the same explanation and sure enough, the faults cleared within a few miles. Another acquaintance had a similar experience after replacing the battery and the fault codes cleared after a few minutes, so maybe all is not lost.

I'll keep you informed of what happens.

Regards,

Aaron

 

[TONUP]

Just out of interest what issues did they say needed sorting? Not by any change engine / autobox match :augie

I can't remember, but I could look at the magazine at home tonight.

I am afraid that I am only basing my opinion at the moment on appearances; therefore you have the advantage over me. I was only ever going get a late used one when the opportunity and finances allowed, and I would try some other models from other manafacturers.

My first choice of towcar was a Jeep Cherokee, but I didn't think the boot was big enough for my two dogs. In the end the Terrano came along with low mileage and a good price tag. 11000 miles later I don't have too many regrets, although I think the Jeep would have been a nicer drive.

I would definitely consider a Grand Cherokee though, but once again the Pathfinder 'appears' to have a huge load carrying capacity, and a late used one mine might be cheaper.

Anyway it's all academic at the moment until the money is available, and that depends on keeping a job through the 'tough times to come' we have all been promised.

I am also tempted by the Kia and Hyundai 4X4's, which also seem to represent excellent value and make good towcars.

Regards

Alan

 

[Deleted account DD]

Ive bought the mag, quite often buy it anyway. Havent had chance for a good read but its a very superficial article more of a summary review really.

Youre dead right about load area mind, it is cavernous.Mind you weve had three dogs in the jeep load area.

As far as Jeeps go , yes the cherokee is a bit small. I was guided more by the weight of van we tow but when I looked harder I realised the grand comes in at a similar price s/h.

If youre buying s/h Grand Cherokees would be a good move price wise, they depreciate at hyper speed from new although s/h prices are pretty stable. I bought mine last year when the 4x4 market was in the doldrums and it would cost me at least as much to buy exactly the same one now so whatever your told they dont depriciate that badly :thumb2

 

[Aaron]

Well, the new(ish) Pathfinder has arrived and it appears to be in good nick. A new battery has been installed and so far the ESP lights have stayed off. The ride, handling and performance all seem good and there are no odd knocks, rattles or quirks. On a steady 90mph run back along the motorway, the fuel economy averaged 26 point something (according to the on-board computer) and everything seemed OK. Let's hope that it continues to behave!

Once again, many thanks for all your help and advice. If anything should go wrong, I'll let you know...

Regards,

Aaron

 

[762buzz]

Hello! sorry to add to this discussion a bit late as i am new on here,

darest i now admit i own a 56 reg pathfinder 2.5 6 speed manual adventura spec, bought for the purpose of towing a yet to be purchased shed/caravan
now to be a longer wait due to the arrival of my daring little angel duaghter (and finacial drain)

last winter i had a battery prob (turn over power damaged cell) and when jump started the esp light stayed on till i ran it round block to charge then on restarting it stayed off, now have new battery and have touch wood no esp problem.

i do like to look of the pathfinder and with carry cot pram chairs and tent loaded in the boot it does take some beating for space, my last car was a renault scenic 1.9 and i am now doing better on mpg averaging 29-33 480mile to a deartank full

would be interested to hear what faults some of u have found or heard about the pathfinder so i know what to look out for pls:bow

only point would say is watch the chrome trim on the boot mine rubbed and caused a rust spot luckly still covered by warrenty so sorted and was not made enough to pay new picked up s/h with 11000 mils on:naughty