Classification: Reference: Date:

EL02-007 NTB02-040 April 12, 2002

2002 PATHFINDER STATIC RADIO NOISE CAUSED BY

IGNITION COILS
APPLIED VEHICLES: 2002 Pathfinder (R50)
APPLIED VIN: Vehicles built before: JN8DR09X*2W655078
JN8DR09Y*2W713864
APPLIED DATE: Vehicles built before: October 22, 2001
SERVICE INFORMATION
If the radio of an Applied Vehicle exhibits the following symptom:

• A steady, rhythmic static noise heard from the speakers that "follows" engine speed on
certain FM radio stations,

The cause may be the ignition coil resistors. A new resistor assembly (located inside the
ignition coil tube) is available to repair the described symptom, if it should occur.

SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Start the engine and allow it to idle.
2. Turn radio on and search for several FM stations until a steady "ticking" or "popping"
noise is heard through the speakers.
Notes:
• Weaker radio stations may make the static noise easier to detect, if it exists.
• Increasing the treble and decreasing the bass settings may also make the "ticking"
noise easier to detect, if it exists.
3. If the incident is duplicated, accelerate the engine and note if the frequency of the
"ticking" or "popping" noise increases with engine speed.
4. If the noise does not “follow” the engine speed, the incident is not caused by the ignition
coils. Consult the appropriate section of the Electronic Service Manual (ESM) to
diagnose and repair the incident.

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5. If the noise “follows” the engine speed, remove all ignition coils from the engine using
the following procedure:
A. Remove the engine decorative cover (see Figure 1)

Remove engine decorative cover

TP020130
Figure 1
B. Remove four 10mm head screws (two rear, two front) which hold the harness to the
intake collector on the passenger side (see Figure 2).
Intake collector
Harness
bracket

Remove two front

10 mm head screws
Remove two rear
10 mm head screws Front TP020131
Figure 2

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C. Remove the intake air duct (see Figure 3).

Remove intake air duct

TP020132
Figure 3
D. Remove the 10 mm bolt holding the metal EVAP purge pipe to the intake collector.
Remove the four throttle chamber bolts (6mm socket head capscrews) – see
Figure 4.
Remove bolt holding
the metal EVAP
purge pipe to the
intake collector
Metal
EVAP
purge pipe

Front

Remove four
throttle chamber bolts TP020133

Figure 4
E. Remove the throttle chamber gasket and discard (see Figure 5).

Remove the
throttle chamber
gasket

Front TP020134

Figure 5

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CAUTION: DO NOT allow anything to fall into the intake manifold or intake tube.
F. Remove all ignition coils by disconnecting each coil harness connector and
removing the screw holding each coil to the engine.
Notes:
• The harness of each ignition coil is numbered (1 through 6) near the connector to
assist in proper re-installation.
• You must lift the throttle chamber slightly to reach the #4 ignition coil (see Figure 6).
• It is not necessary to remove any coolant hoses or drain the coolant during ignition
coil removal.
1 Lift throttle
chamber slightly
4 Remove
Throttle ignition
chamber coil #4

2 Disconnect
ignition coil
#4 harness
connector
Front
3 Remove screw holding
ignition coil #4 to engine TP020135
Figure 6
6. Replace the resistor assembly in all ignition coil tubes as follows:
A. Pull the rubber boot away from the ignition coil. Then, twist and pull the ignition coil
tube from the ignition coil to separate them (see Figure 7).

Rubber boot

Tube

Ignition coil

TP010644
Figure 7

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 B. Remove the old resistor assembly parts from the ignition coil tube and discard.
Insert the new resistor assembly into the ignition coil tube in the order shown in
Figure 8 below.

Ignition coil

Tube
New Resistor Assembly

Old Resistor Assembly

TP010646
Figure 8
C. Assemble the ignition coil tube to the ignition coil.
• Rotate the tube while pressing onto the coil.
• A "pop" sound will be heard when the rubber boot is seated correctly to the
ignition coil.
• Ensure there are no gaps and bulges between the coil body and the rubber boot
(see Figure 9).

No gap
With bulges No bulges

Rubber boot
Rubber boot

No Good Good
TP010655

Figure 9
7. Install the repaired ignition coils (with the new resistor assembly) to the engine.
CAUTION: When re-installing the ignition coils, make sure that the coils are correctly
connected to the engine harness.
8. Re-install all other parts removed in reverse order.
NOTE: Install a new throttle chamber gasket when re-installing parts (see PARTS
INFORMATION section for further information).
9. Check to ensure the incident has been resolved by repeating steps 1 and 2.

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PARTS INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION PART # QUANTITY
Spring Kit 22468-8J125 1
Gasket-Throttle Chamber 16175-4W000 1

CLAIMS INFORMATION
Submit a Primary Failed Part (PP) line claim using the following claims coding:
DESCRIPTION PFP OP CODE SYM DIA FRT
RPL Ignition Coil Resistor Assy. 22468-8J125 GX07AA HB 32 0.8 hrs.

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