NTB13-021b

Classification:
Reference:
EC13-003b
Date:
NTB13-021b
March 9, 2017
2010-2015 FRONTIER, 2010-2012 PATHFINDER AND XTERRA;
VIBRATION WHILE IDLING
This bulletin has been amended to add 2013-2015 Frontier and additional steps for that model
range. Please discard the previous version of this bulletin.
APPLIED VEHICLES:
2010 – 2015 Frontier (D40)
2010 – 2012 Pathfinder (R51)
2010 – 2012 Xterra (N50)
APPLIED VIN / DATE:
2010 – 2014 Frontier All
2015 Frontier
built before 1N6AD0(*)(*)(*)FN 728374 / Nov 3, 2014
2010 – 2012 Pathfinder All
2010 – 2012 Xterra All
VQ40DE V6
APPLIED ENGINE:
APPLIED TRANSMISSION: RE5R05A automatic
IF YOU CONFIRM:

The idle seems low or the idle is rough.
And

No engine DTCs are stored.
ACTION:
Refer to the Flow Chart on page 2 for the model specific Service Procedure.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT replace engine mounting insulators for this issue unless they are
visually leaking.
IMPORTANT: The purpose of "ACTION" (above) is to give you a quick idea of the work
you will be performing. You MUST closely follow the entire Service Procedure as it contains
information that is essential to successfully completing this repair.
Nissan Bulletins are intended for use by qualified technicians, not 'do-it-yourselfers'. Qualified technicians are
properly trained individuals who have the equipment, tools, safety instruction, and know-how to do a job
properly and safely. NOTE: If you believe that a described condition may apply to a particular vehicle, DO
NOT assume that it does. See your Nissan dealer to determine if this applies to your vehicle.
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Repair Overview

The idle seems low or the idle is rough.
And

No other engine DTCs are stored.
Is the vehicle a
2010-2015 Frontier?
Yes
No
Is the vehicle a
2010-2012 Frontier?
Yes
Check and compare your
Current ECM Part Number
to Table A on page 7.

Is there a match?
No
Yes
No
2013-2015 Frontier
built before
1N6AD0(*)(*)(*)FN 728374
and Nov 3, 2014?
Yes
No
Check and compare your
Current ECM Part Number
to Table A on page 7.

Is there a match?
Yes
No
Proceed to page 3.

Replace the exhaust
center tube ONLY
Proceed to page 3.


Replace the exhaust
center tube and then
Reprogram the ECM
This bulletin does not
apply. Go back to ASIST for
further diagnostic and
repair information.
2/13
Proceed to page 4.

Reprogram the
ECM ONLY
NTB13-021b
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Exhaust Center Tube Replacement
NOTE: Only replace the exhaust center tube if required per the Flow Chart on
page 2.
Replace the exhaust center tube (see Figure A).

The new exhaust center tube (Figure B) is listed in the Parts Information.

Refer to the Electronic Service Manual (ESM), section EX – Exhaust System for
removal and installation information.
Center
exhaust tube
Figure A
: Engine front
: N•m (kg-m, ft-lb)
: Always replace after every disassembly
: N•m (kg-m, in-lb)
New center exhaust
tube has mass damper
New center
exhaust tube
Figure B
NOTE: If required per the Flow Chart on page 2, go to ECM reprogramming on the next
page.
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NTB13-021b
ECM Reprogamming
NOTE:

Only reprogram the ECM if required per the Flow Chart on page 2 and Table A
on page 7.

Most instructions for reprogramming with CONSULT-III plus (C-III plus) are
displayed on the CONSULT PC screen.

If you are not familiar with the reprogramming procedure, click here. This will link
you to the "CONSULT- III plus (C-III plus) ECM Reprogramming" general procedure.

Take the vehicle for a 10 minute drive in order to meet the following Idle Air Volume
Learn (IAVL) conditions:
 Engine coolant temperature: 70 -100°C
(158 - 212°F)
 Battery voltage: More than 12.9V (At idle)
 Transmission: Warmed up
Figure C
 After reprogramming is
complete, you will be required to perform Throttle Valve Closed Position, Idle Air
Volume Learn, Accelerator Closed Position, and DTC erase.
CAUTION:

Connect the GR8 to the vehicle battery set to ECM power supply mode.
If the vehicle battery voltage goes below 12.0V or above 15.5V during
reprogramming, the ECM may be damaged.

Be sure to turn OFF all vehicle electrical loads.
If a vehicle electrical load remains ON, the ECM may be damaged.

Be sure to connect the AC Adapter.
If the CONSULT PC battery voltage drops during reprogramming, the process
will be interrupted and the ECM may be damaged.

Turn off all external Bluetooth® devices (e.g., cell phones, printers, etc.) within
range of the CONSULT PC and the VI. If Bluetooth® signal waves are within
range of the CONSULT PC during reprogramming, reprogramming may be
interrupted and the ECM may be damaged.
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NTB13-021b
1. Connect the CONSULT PC to the vehicle to begin the reprogramming procedure.
2 Open ASIST on the CONSULT PC and start C-III plus.
3. Wait for the plus VI to be recognized / connected.

The serial number will display when the plus VI is recognized / connected.
4. Select Re/programming, Configuration.
VI is
recognized
Step
4
Figure 1
5. Follow the on-screen instructions and navigate the C-III plus to the screen shown in
Figure 2 on the next page.
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NTB13-021b
6. When you get to the screen shown in Figure 2, confirm this bulletin applies as follows.
A. Find the ECM Part Number and write it on the repair order.
NOTE: This is the current ECM Part Number (P/N).
6A: Current ECM P/N
Figure 2
B. Compare the P/N you wrote down to the numbers in the Current ECM Part Number
column in Table A on the next page.

If there is a match, this bulletin applies. Continue with the reprogramming
procedure.

If there is not a match, reprogramming is not needed.
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NTB13-021b
Table A
MODEL
MODEL
YEAR
CURRENT ECM PART NUMBER BEFORE
REPROGRAMMING: 23710-XXXXX
ZZ94C
ZL95D, ZL95C, ZL95B, ZL95A
ZL94D, ZL94B, ZL94A
2010
ZL93D, ZL93C, ZL93B, ZL93A
Pathfinder
(R51)
ZL92D, ZL92C, ZL92B, ZL92A
ZL79A, ZL78A, ZL77A, ZL76A
2011
9BE9B, 9BE9A
9BD9B, 9BD9A
9BE8B, 9BE8A
2012
9BD8B, 9BD8A
ZZ89A, ZZ89C
ZZ88D, ZZ88C, ZZ88B, ZZ88A
ZZ84C, ZZ84A
ZZ83C, ZZ83A
ZZ82D, ZZ82C, ZZ82B, ZZ82A
ZZ76D, ZZ76C, ZZ76B, ZZ76A
ZZ70D, ZZ70C, ZZ70B, ZZ70A
ZL44C, ZL44A
ZL85A, ZL86A
2010
Frontier (D40)
9BA7A, 9BA5A, 9BA2A, 9BA0A
2011
9CA2A, 9CA1A
ZL73A, ZL72A
9CD2B, 9CD1B
9CD2A, 9CD1A
9BE5B, 9BE4B, 9BE1B, 9BE0B
2012
9BE5A, 9BE4A, 9BE1A, 9BE0A
9BD5B, 9BD4B, 9BD1B, 9BD0B
9BD5A, 9BD4A, 9BD1A, 9BD0A
ZZ82D, ZZ82C, ZZ82B, ZZ82A
2010
Xterra (N50)
ZZ70D, ZZ70C, ZZ70B, ZZ70A
9BA0A, 9CA1A
2011
9BE0B, 9BE0A
9BD2B, 9BD2A
2012
9BD0B, 9BD0A
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NTB13-021b
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to navigate C-III plus and reprogram the ECM.
NOTE:

In some cases, more than one new P/N for reprogramming is available.
 In this case, the screen in Figure 3 displays.
 Select and use the reprogramming option that does not have the message
“Caution! Use ONLY with NTBXX-XXX”.

If you get this screen and it is blank (no reprogramming listed), it means there is no
reprogramming available for this vehicle. Close C-III plus and refer back to ASIST for
further diagnosis.
IMPORTANT: If C-III plus locks up or freezes at this point or displays “cannot
complete reprogramming, CONSULT PC is set up with User Rights.
Reprogramming can be completed with Administrator log in”, the TOUGHBOOK
settings need to be changed so that Users have full access rights. See your
Dealership’s IT System Administrator for details.
Figure 3
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NTB13-021b
8. When the screen in Figure 4 displays, reprogramming is complete.
NOTE: If the screen in Figure 4 does not display (reprogramming does not complete),
refer to the information on page 10.
9. Disconnect the battery charger from the vehicle.
10. Select Next.
Step
10
Figure 4
NOTE:

In the next steps, starting on page 11, you will perform Throttle Valve Closed
Position, Idle Air Volume Learn, Accelerator Closed Position, and DTC erase.

These operations are required before C-III plus will provide the final reprogramming
confirmation report.
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ECM recovery:
Do not disconnect plus VI or shut down Consult III plus if reprogramming does
not complete.
If reprogramming does not complete and the “!?” icon displays as shown in
Figure 5:

Check battery voltage
(12.0–15.5 V).

Ignition is ON, engine OFF.

External Bluetooth® devices
are OFF.

All electrical loads are OFF.

Select retry and follow the
on screen instructions.

“Retry” may not go through on
first attempt and can be
selected more than once.
Figure 5
If reprogramming does not complete and the “X” icon displays as shown in
Figure 6:

Check battery voltage
(12.0 – 15.5 V).

CONSULT A/C adapter is
plugged in.

Ignition is ON, engine OFF.

Transmission is in Park.

All C-III plus / VI cables are
securely connected.

All C-III plus updates are
installed.

Select Home, and restart
the reprogram procedure
from the beginning.
Figure 6
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NTB13-021b
11. Follow the on-screen instructions to perform the following:

Throttle Valve Closed Position

Idle Air Volume Learn (IAVL)
NOTE:
o Listed below are common conditions required for IAVL to complete.
o If IAVL does not complete within a few minutes, a condition may be out of
range.
o Refer to the appropriate Electronic Service Manual (ESM) for specific
conditions required for the vehicle you are working on.
 Engine coolant temperature: 70 -100° C (158 - 212°F)
 Battery voltage: More than 12.9V (At idle)
 Selector lever: P or N
 Electric load switch: OFF (Air conditioner, headlamp, rear window defogger)
 Steering wheel: Neutral (Straight-ahead position)
 Vehicle speed: Stopped
 Transmission: Warmed up

Accelerator Pedal Close Position Learning

Erase DTCs
Continue to the next page.
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12. When the entire reprogramming process is complete, the screen in Figure 7 will display.
13. Verify the before and after part numbers are different.
14. Print a copy of this screen (Figure 7) and attach it to the repair order for warranty
documentation.
15. Select Confirm.
Step
13
Step
14
Step
15
Figure 7
16. Close C-III plus.
17. Turn the ignition OFF.
18. Disconnect the plus VI from the vehicle.
19. Test drive the vehicle and make sure it operates correctly and the MIL is OFF.

If the MIL comes ON, go back to ASIST for further diagnostic information.

Diagnosis and repairs beyond ECM reprogramming are not covered by this bulletin.
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NTB13-021b
PARTS INFORMATION
MODEL
DESCRIPTION
PART NUMBER
QUANTITY
Frontier (D40)
ONLY
Center Exhaust Tube
20030-9BK0A
1
Gasket
20692-24U0A
1
CLAIMS INFORMATION
Submit a Primary Part (PP) type line claim using the following claims coding:
DESCRIPTION
PFP
Reprogram Engine Control Module
OP CODE
SYM
DIA
FRT
DE97AA
(2)
(1)
ZE
32
Replace Exhaust Tube
FD30AA
(2)
(Frontier ONLY)
(1) Reference the repair order and use the ECM part number written down in step 6 of the
service procedure.
(2) Reference the current Nissan Warranty Flat Rate Manual and use the indicated flat rate
time.
OR
2010-2015 Frontier ONLY without ECM Reprogram
Submit a Primary Failed Part (PP) line claim using the following claims coding:
DESCRIPTION
PFP OP CODE SYM
DIA
FRT
Replace Exhaust Tube
(3)
FD30AA
ZE
32
(4)
(3) Reference the parts Informaiton table and use the Exhaust Tube Assy as the PFP.
(4) Reference the current Nissan Warranty Flat Rate Manual and use the indicated flat rate
time.
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