Condenser In Ignition Circuit
06-09-2009, 07:30 PM
#1
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Condenser In Ignition Circuit
Can anyone tell me exactly what this thing looks like and how big it is...I seem to be missing this on my ignition circuit. I looked at where the loop is and there's no 2 pin plug coming out of the harness anywhere near the ignition loop. Is it taped up inside the harness or should I be able to see it clearly. Pictures would help.
Thanks.
Thanks.
06-09-2009, 09:46 PM
#2
Can anyone tell me exactly what this thing looks like and how big it is...I seem to be missing this on my ignition circuit. I looked at where the loop is and there's no 2 pin plug coming out of the harness anywhere near the ignition loop. Is it taped up inside the harness or should I be able to see it clearly. Pictures would help.
Thanks.
Thanks.
It's on the driver's side of the harness, right about where the harness splits off to go to the front coils.
http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...something.html
http://forums.maxima.org/6860729-post2591.html
Last edited by pmohr; 06-09-2009 at 09:50 PM.
06-09-2009, 10:39 PM
#3
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Thanks for the link. Unfortunately I'm at work right now and the damn browser does not show pictures.
The weird thing is that I looked exactly where you mentioned and there's absolutely nothing there. There's certainly no white clip (per FSM) coming out of the harness, unless the whole thing has been taped up inside the harness.
The weird thing is that I looked exactly where you mentioned and there's absolutely nothing there. There's certainly no white clip (per FSM) coming out of the harness, unless the whole thing has been taped up inside the harness.
06-09-2009, 10:44 PM
#4
Thanks for the link. Unfortunately I'm at work right now and the damn browser does not show pictures.
The weird thing is that I looked exactly where you mentioned and there's absolutely nothing there. There's certainly no white clip (per FSM) coming out of the harness, unless the whole thing has been taped up inside the harness.
The weird thing is that I looked exactly where you mentioned and there's absolutely nothing there. There's certainly no white clip (per FSM) coming out of the harness, unless the whole thing has been taped up inside the harness.
The FSM does indeed say that it's white, but the last few I've seen have all been black. Only place I've seen a white connector is in the interior, really.
06-09-2009, 11:08 PM
#7
It's not that big, IIRC the terminals for the connector are 1/4", you can extrapolate the size from that, from the above pics.
06-10-2009, 05:33 AM
#8
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So I dug the condenser out of the wiring harness and I think it might be shot.
As you can see in the picture, the tape around it looks burned and there was gray gunk all over the condenser and clip and looks like anti-seize.
I tested it with a multimeter and for a split second it shows a reading greater than 1 mega ohm then shows infinite. Is this condenser done?
As you can see in the picture, the tape around it looks burned and there was gray gunk all over the condenser and clip and looks like anti-seize.
I tested it with a multimeter and for a split second it shows a reading greater than 1 mega ohm then shows infinite. Is this condenser done?
Last edited by whlimi; 06-10-2009 at 05:35 AM.
06-10-2009, 06:42 AM
#10
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You're probably referring to an AC condenser in which case you wouldnt be right.
This part is also called a condenser and has nothing to do with the AC.
On a side note, it took the parts guy at Nissan a good 30 mins to try and figure what the heck it was that I had brought in. He kept insisting that I get my coils replaced and that there was no such thing as a condenser on the ignition circuit....
This part is also called a condenser and has nothing to do with the AC.
On a side note, it took the parts guy at Nissan a good 30 mins to try and figure what the heck it was that I had brought in. He kept insisting that I get my coils replaced and that there was no such thing as a condenser on the ignition circuit....
Last edited by whlimi; 06-10-2009 at 07:02 AM.
06-10-2009, 01:11 PM
#13
06-10-2009, 03:52 PM
#14
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it should be wrapped inside the wiring harness. its this small rectangular thing. When i did my 3.5 swap in my 96, i took the whole harness out. Also I believe there's two condensors, 1 on each bank. If i have the time i'll try posting a pic of what mine looks like.
But its been a few years, i'm wondering what i saw was from the leftover harness left of the 3.5 engine that came from the scrapyard.
But its been a few years, i'm wondering what i saw was from the leftover harness left of the 3.5 engine that came from the scrapyard.
06-10-2009, 03:56 PM
#15
it should be wrapped inside the wiring harness. its this small rectangular thing. When i did my 3.5 swap in my 96, i took the whole harness out. Also I believe there's two condensors, 1 on each bank. If i have the time i'll try posting a pic of what mine looks like.
But its been a few years, i'm wondering what i saw was from the leftover harness left of the 3.5 engine that came from the scrapyard.
But its been a few years, i'm wondering what i saw was from the leftover harness left of the 3.5 engine that came from the scrapyard.
06-10-2009, 04:43 PM
#17
All of the harnesses I've pulled apart are like that, the stuff just gets brittle from the heat.
06-11-2009, 08:40 AM
#18
So I dug the condenser out of the wiring harness and I think it might be shot.
As you can see in the picture, the tape around it looks burned and there was gray gunk all over the condenser and clip and looks like anti-seize.
I tested it with a multimeter and for a split second it shows a reading greater than 1 mega ohm then shows infinite. Is this condenser done?
As you can see in the picture, the tape around it looks burned and there was gray gunk all over the condenser and clip and looks like anti-seize.
I tested it with a multimeter and for a split second it shows a reading greater than 1 mega ohm then shows infinite. Is this condenser done?
06-11-2009, 09:07 PM
#19
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If yours is showing a constant resistance, I would say its bad. Google "ignition condenser testing".
It's a $9 part from the dealership.
06-11-2009, 09:11 PM
#20
When you test it, the resistance should build up until it shows infinite resistance. The one I just picked up starts at 500k ohms, goes through 900k, 1200k, 1900k, then infinite. This happens in like a second.
If yours is showing a constant resistance, I would say its bad. Google "ignition condenser testing".
It's a $9 part from the dealership.
If yours is showing a constant resistance, I would say its bad. Google "ignition condenser testing".
It's a $9 part from the dealership.
Damn, they are pretty cheap.
28351-89901, $5.06 each at Courtesy
28351-89902, $5.06 each at Courtesy
Different part numbers, depending on color.
06-11-2009, 10:51 PM
#21
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As far as the FSM says, it should just be above a megaohm.
Damn, they are pretty cheap.
28351-89901, $5.06 each at Courtesy
28351-89902, $5.06 each at Courtesy
Different part numbers, depending on color.
Damn, they are pretty cheap.
28351-89901, $5.06 each at Courtesy
28351-89902, $5.06 each at Courtesy
Different part numbers, depending on color.
The FSM isnt clear as to whether it should show a constant reading of greater than a megaohm or if it will just flash past it on course to an infinite resistance. It also depends on how high a resistance your DVOM can read.
06-11-2009, 10:53 PM
#22
I guess as long as it flashes past a megaohm it should be fine
The FSM isnt clear as to whether it should show a constant reading of greater than a megaohm or if it will just flash past it on course to an infinite resistance. It also depends on how high a resistance your DVOM can read.
The FSM isnt clear as to whether it should show a constant reading of greater than a megaohm or if it will just flash past it on course to an infinite resistance. It also depends on how high a resistance your DVOM can read.
Though at the price point, it's assumed that if any testing is questionable, just replace the thing. And given how the FSM indicates testing...
05-29-2014, 01:34 AM
#24
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 18
I've been searching, trying to figure out how to clear a p1320 code and so as far as I am concerned, the ignition condenser aims to serve as a ground for the current that is sent to the ignition coils. In a sense, it regulates the voltage amount that reaches the coils.
05-29-2014, 01:47 AM
#25
You just bumped 2010.
05-29-2014, 11:17 AM
#26
Yes. This is a more correct statement. A capacitor stores an electrical charge like a small battery and releases it. When the supply voltage becomes higher than what is in the capacitor, the capacitor stores it. When the supply voltage dips, the capacitor releases its charge in an attempt to keep the voltage constant.
05-30-2014, 02:39 AM
#27
A condenser is like a shock absorber or damper for your electrical system. When the magnetic field in the secondary coils collapses, it induces a magnetic field in the primary windings and causes an AC ripple. The condenser acts to smooth out the ac ripple and clean up your DC voltage so as not to interfere with your other electronics.
Capacitors are generally wired in parallel between positive and ground. They require a tester with a capacitor setting as they just discharge, changing polarity. Because of this you might see a reading for a split second and then infinity or "out of range".
Capacitors are generally wired in parallel between positive and ground. They require a tester with a capacitor setting as they just discharge, changing polarity. Because of this you might see a reading for a split second and then infinity or "out of range".
Last edited by asand1; 05-30-2014 at 02:42 AM.
05-30-2014, 04:45 PM
#28
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 18
No, absolutely not. That is not what a capacitor (condenser) does. If it does, it acquires another name - short circuit.
Yes. This is a more correct statement. A capacitor stores an electrical charge like a small battery and releases it. When the supply voltage becomes higher than what is in the capacitor, the capacitor stores it. When the supply voltage dips, the capacitor releases its charge in an attempt to keep the voltage constant.
Yes. This is a more correct statement. A capacitor stores an electrical charge like a small battery and releases it. When the supply voltage becomes higher than what is in the capacitor, the capacitor stores it. When the supply voltage dips, the capacitor releases its charge in an attempt to keep the voltage constant.
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