Nissan maxima 1999 chk engine on

[Chary]

Hi recently my car is due for its inspection and when they checked the car, it failed for no check engine light and with two codes P1320 & P0325. Interesting point is it seems the guy from whom I bought this car removed the check engine light and sold it to me, which I didn't observed at that time . Luck is like that... That's past. Now when I showed to a mechanic he checked the car for five hrs and said he couldn't find the cause for the codes and advised me to take it to the Nissan dealer. Car runs fine without any issues. I drove 150 miles in stretch without any issues. I used it for almost 8 months now without any issue with a decent mileage of 21MPG. Pls advise what can be the reason for check engine light..... And what should I tell the Nissan expert regd my problem..... Thanks for any advice.....

[Towncivilian]

P0325 is a knock sensor code, which can be the result of P1320 (ignition signal) if there is an ignition problem causing misfire.

How many miles are on your Maxima? The spark plugs have a 60k replacement interval, so replace them if they're due. Use NGK PFR5G-11 spark plugs. This may solve the P1320 code.

If that doesn't help, perhaps one or more ignition coils to blame. Are P1320 and P0325 the only current codes? Do you ever see the "service engine soon" light blink while you drive?

Welcome to NICO.

[Chary]

Thank you Towncivilian for your reply. Glad to see the quick and detail reply.

The car has 115K on it. Ok I'll replace the plugs and see as suggested.

Yes these are the only codes mentioned in the inspection report and the check engine light is always on. It's not blinking at all, but always on after the mechanic put the bulb, which was removed by previous owner. May be I'll update the tatu after replacing the sparks. As I mentioned earlier, luckily vehicle is running smooth. Hopefully it'll solve the codes with spark plugs.

Thanks once again.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

21 mpg is on the low side of things...
Do you know if the mechanic actually checked your knock sensor? If its bad it could cause the vehicle to run rich and retard the timing... killing your efficiency.

[Chary]

Just visited nissan showroom. bad news .... the light is not ON for spark plugs, but he said some wiring issue and bad coils. estimated repair cost is min $1500, and depends on how much wirting needs ot be replaced. I;m in dilemma whether to go ahead with repair by spending that amount. Expers any suggestion? I'll be happy to here from you.

if any of you can suggest some good garage around zip-19454, most welcome...

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Wiring issue?

[Chary]

Yes some wiring issue and also need to replace all coils

[sx moneypit]

Nissan had a TSB on the wiring harness but all of the Maxima's and I30 Infiniti's i have worked on i haven't seen a problem with that issue.
I have replaced quiet a few coils on those cars however.
If you do replace the coils i HIGHLY recommend you use Nissan coils.


-Ben

[Chary]

thanx Moneypit for the advice, would you suggest that I should go to Nissan service dealer for COILS change. Nissan Service person mentioned that it may clear the code once he replaces the coils (all), but he is not sure . If code comes even after replacing the coils then he'll check for wiring issues. What you suggest should I go for it, with appx cost of coil change ($1100) and wiring if reqd ($200 to $700).... huge amoutn for an old vehicle

[sx moneypit]

The coils from Nissan list for a little more than $115.00 each. If you are halfway mechanically inclined you should be able to tackle the job yourself.It takes about an hour to do the job.

[Chary]

Updates... my car is back from Nissan dealer, replaced all the coils and is fine so far... service engineer assured that coils replacement worked for both P1320 and P0325 and good to go... thanks for all your valuable advices.. will update you after few days of drive.... thank you all

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Ouch, you had them do it?

[Chary]

after 6 months CEL is back.... plng to visit dealer for the code this time..