Down the Garden Path

 


Nissan Pathfinder R51 - MY12

 

Symptoms

  • Central locking and electric mirrors are inoperative.
  • Drivers power seat may be inoperative or may operate of it’s own accord whilst driving.

One or more of these faults may be present and these faults may be intermittent.

 

Cause

In the absence of the power seat related symptoms, failure of the central locking and electric mirrors (even taking into account fault codes present and consultation of wiring diagrams) is likely to lead the technician to believe that there is an issue with the Body Control Module.

 

bcm

 

This issue is however in fact caused by incorrect factory installation of the wiring harness for the drivers power seat causing the wiring to fracture over time.

The fact that the seat moves each time the driver enters and exits the vehicle further exacerbates the issue.

The fracture in the wiring harness usually occurs at the junction shown below.

 

wiring

 

Danger

In some circumstances, depending on which of the wires in the harness are compromised, the electric seat may operate whilst the vehicle is being driven which may lead to an accident.

 

Recall

A recall has been issued by Nissan Motor Company which can be found here

The purpose of this article is to mitigate the incorrect diagnosis of the Body Control Module.

 

Remedy

Remove the drivers seat and remove all tubing from the wiring harness.

While it may be possible to carry out a repair to the damaged wiring in the harness, we recommend that it is replaced.

Ensure the wiring harness is adequately secured to the seat frame and that no stretching or pinching of the harness will occur during normal operation.

 

seat

 

Assemble and check operation of all functions relating to the power seat, mirror and central locking functions.