Pathfinder Off Road

Here are the locations of the cam sensors as show in the Factory Service Manual
Click image to enlarge

I've seen various posts on this topic, and the combination of all of them helped this non-mechanic solve my Pathfinder P1145 error code, and I hope this compilation of the information will help others fix their trucks if they end up with this MIL.

The P1140 or P1145 Error codes are telling you that you have either:

• Malfunctioning Sensor
• Malfunctioning Seloniod

The first place to start in diagnosing this problem, is to switch the two sensors, and see if the other code pops up, or if you get the same code again.

Steps to swapping the sensors
Both sensors are held in place by a single bolt. You will need a 10mm Socket or wrench to change it.

Here an image of a cam sensor on the passenger side of the engine in my Nissan Pathfinder
Click image to enlarge

The sensor on the passenger side of the engine is the easier of the two to remove. It is visible as shown in the image to the right.
First unplug the connector and put the wire out of your way. Next remove the bolt, being careful not to drop it when it comes loose. You never know where it will end up if you drop it. Twist the sensor back and forth, and ease it out of it's hole. It will most likely have engine oil on it when you remove it. This is the sensor that can give you the P1140 error code.

Next we will remove the sensor from the Drivers side of the engine.
This sensor is located under the plastic engine cover. The engine cover can be removed with a 10mm socket, it has two nuts and one bolt to remove. Don't get these bolts confused with the bolts for the sensors!

P1145 Error code - Image of a cam sensor on the driver side of the engine in my Nissan Pathfinder
Click image to enlarge

After that, you will have to move some wires out of the way, to even find where the sensor is located, it is burried out of sight. Take a look at the image to the right, i'm holding the wires and tubes out of the way to show the sensor. Notice i've also unpluged some nearby connectors to give me more movement with the wires.

After removing the bolt, remove the sensor in the same way that you did before and then put it into the Passenger side of the engine, tighten the bolt, and connect the wiring harness. Now Place the first sensor you removed in the drivers side of the engine.

Assuming you have cleared the codes from your truck, you should now be able to start the truck, run it for about a minute, then turn it off, let it sit for about 20 seconds, and start the truck again. Got SES?

Image of a new VTC Sensor and it's box with part number
Click image to enlarge

It may take a little bit for the light to come on. Next read the code, and see what you have. If it is the same code you had before, the selenoid is probably bad on the side that is indicated. If your code has changed from P1145 to P1140 or vice versa, it should be a sensor issue. Go get yourself a new sensor, and install it the same way described above.