LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone: 1960-2025
Home >> Nissan-Datsun >> 2014 >> Frontier SL, 4WD >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Engine Performance >> System >> Engine Control System (Introduction) (VQ40DE) >> Basic Inspection >> Inspection And Adjustment >> Basic Inspection
April 5, 2026: LEMON Manuals is launched! Read the announcement.

Basic Inspection

  1. INSPECTION START 
    1. Check service records for any recent repairs that may indicate a related malfunction, or a current need for scheduled maintenance.
    2. Open engine hood and check the following:
      • Harness connectors for improper connections
      • Wiring harness for improper connections, pinches and cut
      • Vacuum hoses for splits, kinks and improper connections
      • Hoses and ducts for leakage
      • Air cleaner clogging
      • Gasket
      Fig 1: Checking Harness Connectors And Vacuum Hoses
      G04874817Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    3. Check that electrical or mechanical loads are not applied.
      • Headlamp switch is OFF.
      • Air conditioner switch is OFF.
      • Rear window defogger switch is OFF.
      • Steering wheel is in the straight-ahead position, etc.
    4. Start engine and warm it up until engine coolant temperature indicator points to the middle of gauge.

      Ensure engine stays below 1, 000 RPM.

      Fig 2: Identifying Engine Coolant Temperature
      G04874818Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    5. Run engine at about 2, 000 RPM for about 2 minutes under no load.
    6. Check that no DTC is displayed with CONSULT or GST.

      OK or NG 

      OK: GO TO  3.

      NG: GO TO 2.

      Fig 3: Identifying Engine RPM
      G04874819Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  2. REPAIR OR REPLACE 

    Repair or replace components as necessary according to corresponding Diagnostic Procedure.

    : GO TO 3.

  3. CHECK TARGET IDLE SPEED 

    With CONSULT 

    1. Run engine at about 2, 000 RPM for about 2 minutes under no load.
    2. Rev engine (2, 000 to 3, 000 RPM) two or three times under no load, then run engine at idle speed for about 1 minute.
      Fig 4: Checking Target Idle Speed
      G04900035Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    3. Read idle speed in "DATA MONITOR" mode with CONSULT.

      Refer to "IDLE SPEED AND IGNITION TIMING CHECK ".

      M/T: 625 ± 50 RPM (in Neutral position) 

      A/T: 625 ± 50 RPM (in P or N position) 

    Without CONSULT 

    1. Run engine at about 2, 000 RPM for about 2 minutes under no load.
    2. Rev engine (2, 000 to 3, 000 RPM) two or three times under no load, then run engine at idle speed for about 1 minute.
    3. Check idle speed. Refer to "IDLE SPEED AND IGNITION TIMING CHECK ".

      M/T: 625 ± 50 RPM (in Neutral position) 

      A/T: 625± 50 RPM (in P or N position) 

      OK or NG 

      OK: GO TO  10.

      NG: GO TO 4.

  4. PERFORM ACCELERATOR PEDAL RELEASED POSITION LEARNING 
    1. Stop engine.
    2. Perform "ACCELERATOR PEDAL RELEASED POSITION LEARNING ".

      : GO TO 5.

  5. PERFORM THROTTLE VALVE CLOSED POSITION LEARNING 

    Perform "THROTTLE VALVE CLOSED POSITION LEARNING ".

    : GO TO 6.

  6. PERFORM IDLE AIR VOLUME LEARNING 

    Refer to "IDLE AIR VOLUME LEARNING ".

    Is Idle Air Volume Learning carried out successfully?

    Yes or No 

    Yes: GO TO 7.

    No:

    1. Follow the instruction of Idle Air Volume Learning.
    2. GO TO  4.
  7. CHECK TARGET IDLE SPEED AGAIN 

    With CONSULT 

    1. Start engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature.
    2. Read idle speed in "DATA MONITOR" mode with CONSULT.

      Refer to "IDLE SPEED AND IGNITION TIMING CHECK ".

      M/T: 625 ± 50 RPM (in Neutral position) 

      A/T: 625± 50 RPM (in P or N position) 

    Without CONSULT 

    1. Start engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature.
    2. Check idle speed.

      Refer to "IDLE SPEED AND IGNITION TIMING CHECK ".

      M/T: 625 ± 50 RPM (in Neutral position) 

      A/T: 625 ± 50 RPM (in P or N position) 

      OK or NG 

      OK: GO TO  10.

      NG: GO TO 8.

  8. DETECT MALFUNCTIONING PART 

    Check the following.

    • Check camshaft position sensor (PHASE) and circuit. Refer to "DIAGNOSIS PROCEDURE ".
    • Check crankshaft position sensor (POS) and circuit. Refer to "DIAGNOSIS PROCEDURE ".

      OK or NG 

      OK: GO TO 9.

      NG:

      1. Repair or replace.
      2. GO TO  4.
  9. CHECK ECM FUNCTION 
    1. Substitute with a non-malfunctioning ECM to check ECM function. (ECM may be the cause of the incident, although this is rare.)
    2. Perform initialization of NVIS (NATS) system and registration of all NVIS (NATS) ignition key IDs. Refer to "ADDITIONAL SERVICE WHEN REPLACING CONTROL UNIT: SPECIAL REPAIR REQUIREMENT ".

      : GO TO  4.

  10. CHECK IGNITION TIMING 
    1. Run engine at idle.
    2. Check ignition timing with a timing light.

      Refer to "IDLE SPEED AND IGNITION TIMING CHECK ".

      M/T: 15± 5° BTDC (in Neutral position) 

      A/T: 15 ± 5° BTDC (in P or N position) 

      OK or NG 

      OK: GO TO  19.

      NG: GO TO 11.

      Fig 5: Checking Ignition Timing With Timing Light
      G04895324Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  11. PERFORM ACCELERATOR PEDAL RELEASED POSITION LEARNING 
    1. Stop engine.
    2. Perform "ACCELERATOR PEDAL RELEASED POSITION LEARNING ".

      : GO TO 12.

  12. PERFORM THROTTLE VALVE CLOSED POSITION LEARNING 

    Perform "THROTTLE VALVE CLOSED POSITION LEARNING ".

    : GO TO 13.

  13. PERFORM IDLE AIR VOLUME LEARNING 

    Refer to "IDLE AIR VOLUME LEARNING ".

    Is Idle Air Volume Learning carried out successfully? 

    Yes or No 

    Yes: GO TO 14.

    No:

    1. Follow the instruction of Idle Air Volume Learning.
    2. GO TO  4.
  14. CHECK TARGET IDLE SPEED AGAIN 

    With CONSULT 

    1. Start engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature.
    2. Read idle speed in "DATA MONITOR" mode with CONSULT.

      Refer to "IDLE SPEED AND IGNITION TIMING CHECK ".

      M/T: 625 ± 50 RPM (in Neutral position) 

      A/T: 625 ± 50 RPM (in P or N position) 

    Without CONSULT 

    1. Start engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature.
    2. Check idle speed. Refer to "IDLE SPEED AND IGNITION TIMING CHECK ".

      M/T: 625 ± 50 RPM (in Neutral position) 

      A/T: 625 ± 50 RPM (in P or N position) 

      OK or NG 

      OK: GO TO 15.

      NG: GO TO  17.

  15. CHECK IGNITION TIMING AGAIN 
    1. Run engine at idle.
    2. Check ignition timing with a timing light.

      Refer to "IDLE SPEED AND IGNITION TIMING CHECK ".

      M/T: 15± 5° BTDC (in Neutral position) 

      A/T: 15 ± 5° BTDC (in P or N position) 

      OK or NG 

      OK: GO TO  19.

      NG: GO TO 16.

      Fig 6: Checking Ignition Timing With Timing Light
      G04895324Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  16. CHECK TIMING CHAIN INSTALLATION 

    Check timing chain installation. Refer to "EXPLODED VIEW ".

    OK or NG 

    OK: GO TO 17.

    NG:

    1. Repair the timing chain installation.
    2. GO TO  4.
  17. DETECT MALFUNCTIONING PART 

    Check the following.

    • Check camshaft position sensor (PHASE) and circuit. Refer to "DIAGNOSIS PROCEDURE ".
    • Check crankshaft position sensor (POS) and circuit. Refer to "DIAGNOSIS PROCEDURE ".

      OK or NG 

      OK: GO TO 18.

      NG:

      1. Repair or replace.
      2. GO TO  4.
  18. CHECK ECM FUNCTION 
    1. Substitute with a non-malfunctioning ECM to check ECM function. (ECM may be the cause of the incident, although this is rare.)
    2. Perform initialization of NVIS (NATS) system and registration of all NVIS (NATS) ignition key IDs. Refer to "ADDITIONAL SERVICE WHEN REPLACING CONTROL UNIT: SPECIAL REPAIR REQUIREMENT ".

      : GO TO  4.

  19. INSPECTION END 

    Did you replace the ECM, referring this Basic Inspection Procedure?

    Yes or No 

    Yes:

    1. Perform "VIN REGISTRATION ".
    2. INSPECTION END 

    No: INSPECTION END