Nissan Pathfinder: mechanism to close the lift gate (trunk rear door)

A 2008 USA Nissan Pathfinder (VIN: 5N1AR18B28C628086) is experiencing issues with the power-assisted mechanism for closing the lift gate (trunk, rear door). The problem began approximately two months ago. The vehicle was taken to Willowdale Nissan in Thornhill, Ontario, Canada, where the service representative stated that the vehicle does not have this feature based on the VIN. They requested proof of the feature's existence. Although the dealership ordered a replacement latch, the issue remains unresolved, and they are hesitant to provide further assistance. The vehicle has 21,500 miles and lacks an Intelligent Key system. Research indicated that the doors and locks manual for the 2008 Pathfinder describes the cinching latch mechanism on pages 203 to 205. The vehicle was purchased used in Canada from Quality Auto Wholesalers in August 2008, having previously been part of a rental company in the USA. The owner has expressed concern that the latch assembly installed may be incorrect, as the power-assisted mechanism fails to close the lift gate properly, requiring manual force to secure it. It is suggested that contacting a US Nissan dealer with the VIN may yield the correct part numbers, as the Canadian parts catalog may not provide this information.

The 2008 Nissan Pathfinder features a power-assisted lift gate mechanism designed to enhance user convenience by allowing the rear door to close automatically once it is brought close to the latch. This system typically relies on a combination of electrical components, including a motor, latch assembly, and control circuitry, which work together to facilitate the closure of the lift gate.

The malfunction reported indicates a potential failure in the latch assembly or the associated control circuitry, which may prevent the lift gate from engaging properly. When the lift gate is manually pushed to the closed position, the latch mechanism should automatically engage, pulling the door securely into place. If the mechanism fails to operate, it may be due to incorrect installation, faulty components, or a lack of communication between the control module and the latch assembly.

To diagnose the issue effectively, a thorough examination of the wiring diagram is essential. This diagram outlines the connections between the power supply, control switches, and the motor that drives the latch mechanism. It is crucial to ensure that all connections are secure and that there are no broken wires or shorts in the system. Additionally, the control module should be checked for any fault codes that may indicate a malfunction.

If the dealership in Canada is unable to provide assistance due to discrepancies in the vehicle's VIN and features, reaching out to a US-based Nissan dealer is advisable. They may have access to a more comprehensive database that includes the specific features of the vehicle based on its VIN. This can facilitate the identification of the correct parts and ensure that the necessary components are ordered accurately.

In summary, the power-assisted mechanism for the lift gate is a critical feature of the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder, and addressing the malfunction requires a systematic approach to troubleshooting the electrical and mechanical components involved.A 2008 USA Nissan Pathfinder (5N1AR18B28C628086). I live in Toronto, Ontario Canada. One of the many feature my pathfinder has is a power assisted mechanism to close the lift gate (trunk, rear door). About 2 moths ago the above noted mechanisms stop functioning. In order to fix the problem, I brought my car to the dealership (Willowdale Nissan, Thornhill, Ontario, Canada) I do my maintenance with; however

they cannot help me because of: 1. The service rep stated that my car (based on the VIN number) does not have such feature installed. They requested me to prove them that my car has that feature installed. In an attempt to fix the problem, they ordered the latch and replace; however that did not solved the problem. But they are reluctant to provide further assistance based on the above. The car has 21500 miles and does not have a Intelligent key system. As part of my research i came across the following link which provides a descriptive Doors & Locks Manual for the 2008 pathfinder.

Pages 203 - 205 describe how the cinching latch mechanism works. You brought the truck in MN at Walser Nissan in the US correct I know you have around 20k miles on the truck already, I saw your last warranty repair on the rear door back a couple days ago on the 18th.

No. As i mentioned i live in Canada. I brought the truck to Willowdale Nissan in Thornhill, Ontario. As in my original question, they do not have a clue how to fix it. Canadian models of 2008 pathfinder does not have the feature of reference.

By the way thanks for trying to help me with this issue

So you brought the truck used in Canada, I am try to dermine this, because there is information conflict between the US and Canada.

I can`t see all the information from Canada, and they can`t see all the information from the US. I bought my truck at Quality Auto Wholesalers in Toronto, Canada in Agust 2008. AT the time of purchase the car had 5000 miles. As far as i know the car was originally part of rental company in USA before it was acquired by Quality Auto Wholesalers (Canadian dealer). I`ll try that in few minutes. i`m at work so i need to the parking lot. now the question is. do you acknowledge that 2008 USA Nissan Pathfinder S Model came with such mechanism The problem whith is when i close the lift gate (rear door, trunk) the power assisted mechanism does not work consequently the door remains opened.

In order to close the door properly i have to push/bang it really hard. Originally, i just needed to manually bring the lift gate close enough to the grip (close enough means just put it there) and automatically that pwr assited mechanism grabs the door (i will assume through the latch) and brings it to full closure. It sounds like the latch assembly they installed may be wrong. There is not much to this circuit and they should have all the information that I have. Here is the wiring diagram to show you that there isn`t that much. The best way to check for the correct parts and part numbers would be to actually call a US Nissan dealer and give them your vin number, since it will not show up in the Canada parts catalog.

Here is a link to a place in Texas that sells Nissan parts online. Not that you should have to buy them, but to at least get the proper part number so the part can be ordered for you and when you call them, they will use your vin number to check to see if your truck has this feature also. So I am sure it will show up in the US data base, but not Canada`s. Ask-a-doc Web sites: If you`ve got a quick question, you can try to get an answer from sites that say they have various specialists on hand to give quick answers.

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