2001 Nissan Frontier XE. Truck was stalling at stop lights. Checked codes and found carbon block in EGR valve. Cleared code. Found second cylinder misfire, checked injectors, replaced plugs, cap and rotor. Didn't clear code. Installed new distributor, shaft was a little loose. Now truck is getting an idle control malfunction, pulled IAC and cleaned it up. Still getting malfunction. Help please. Truck starts and runs for 5 secs and dies.

You should be able to find vacuum hose routing sticker in the engine compartment.
http://www.nissanpartsdeal.com/parts-list/2001-nissan-frontier/engine-control-vacuum-piping.html?Diagram=223_A001

Nissan Frontier 4 cylinder. scan code is p0300, random misfire

It could be a distributor failure. Have you checked the plugs to see if they are OK? It could be that they're carboned up or otherwise not in good running condition, causing the engine to misfire. Also, there could be damage to a spark plug wire. Take a look at the condition of the plugs and post up with what you see and we'll continue the diagnosis. Make sure that you note which cylinder you pull each plug from, so that you can describe the condition of the plug along with what you see when you remove it.

P0300 is a code that indicates the engine has a random cylinder misfire. The causes of this are so numerous as to not to be able to provide any real help without hands on testing. You also may need the engine control computer flashed, many vehicle makes did updates because this code keep setting and no problem was found to justify it.

That's going to be an EGR code. More than likely your EGR valve is either clogged with carbon buildup or it stopped working altogether.
Another culprit could be the EGR solonoid but most likely its the valve itself.

To review - - do you know for a fact the distributor is firing that cylinder? And do you have power and a ground pulse for that injector ?
You say no vac leak, but have you done a compression test on all cylinders ? Is it possible the egr valve is leaking and affecting that cylinder ?

Hot as in the red or hot as in near the red? Does it shut-off when it overheats or do you turn it off before that happens? The RPM's should not be over 1000 when idling. That is not normal for it to be that high at idle. Why did you do the EGR work? Have you had the computer scanned for codes? Have you checked your coolant level? Does your heater work and/or have any effect on the engine temperature? Is there any smoke from the tailpipe? If so, what color is it and what does it smell like?

Sorry to the bearer of bad news but i have a funny feeling your ECU unit has failed ,where is it located on this vehicle anywhere near the engine where it can get hot?

Is this the 2.4L? If so, I bet the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve passages are clogged. Likely has 3 of 4 EGR ports clogged, sending all EGR flow to the #2 cylinder. Check if it still has 8mm plugs in each runner for EGR transition passages. If so, remove those plugs to clean the EGR passages.
Hope this helps. Good luck!

remove the egr valve clean out carbon build up in the intake port where the egr valve goes.use a piece of old clothes rack.then clean up debris.

P1400 DPFE Circuit Low Input
P0400 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Malfunction

These codes represent a fault in the Auxiliary Emission Controls. Here's a brief describing of the EGR valve. The EGR stands for exhaust gas recycling valve. During cruising speeds, the valve opens allowing exhaust into the intake manifold. The purpose of this is to cool the temperature of the combustion inside the cylinder as the spark plug fires. This in turn, lowers emissions. If the EGR is stuck in either direction(open/closed), it can effect the idle of your vehicle and can stall it out at times. it can also trip the engine light as well. Good rule of thumb is to clean out the carbon out of the intake manifold thoroughly before you install a new EGR. this will prevent the engine light form coming on once more. if the carbon build up is high, chunks of it will jam the EGR, causing it to fail over and over.


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