I am right that the ignition coils 2nd and 3rd gen Max (and other VG30 engines) pretty likely to go out with the years and/or mileage we are now seeing? I replaced the ignition module about 3 years ago, which had a partial failure. I did not replace the coil at the time since it tested good, the engine ran much better and the code 21 cleared. I may not be so lucky to have a partial failure if the coil goes out.

Any problems with replacing with an aftermarket coil such as throwing codes or drivability problems? The Nissan OEM coils are pretty pricey. I have had no problems with my aftermarket module made by Standard ( knock on wood).

 

I think you may be thinking of the later gens(maybe 3rd gen VE?). The maxima is not a COP, or waste spark system. It is a distributor/spark plug cables system for ignition. On cars this old, ignition systems that haven't been serviced in a long while will go bad, sometimes all at once. The wires can run from 39 for basic ngk to 60 for premium ngk

 

The VG does have a main ignition coil on the passenger side of the engine bay. Where as the VE has coil packs to every cylinder. You have the options of Mallory and MSD. There are some other brands but those are the 2 top brands I remember right now. Talking to Cmax03 who has a Mallory on his VG the factory coil is actually pretty weak. It surprised us that it was able to start & run the car.

 

Yeah, the OEM factory coil does seem week. Even after I replaced the ignition module the spark was not as strong as it should be during the spark jump test. But, the OEM coil is old and probably does degrade with time .

 

This why Cmax03 upgraded to a Mallory

 

Yes in my opinion those Nissan epoxy coils do suck and don't last that long for the amount of money you put down! I'll be honest the evidence as I experinced alot of coil missing under load during normal accelerations and The coil would test fine....Well I got tired of them on my D21 Hardbody( no problems for 10 yrs) and I replaced them with the most reliable coils I ever known since being a kid!!!!! Oil filled coils never failed and if they did it was due to the oil leaking out of them! I never saw my Dad or Uncle ever replace one on the many cars we had and some for a longtime.... Here my fix for the 1990 Maxima with a VG engine that I'm running an Ignition box on..but any oil filled MSD, Jacobs, Mallory, Unilite, Pertronix will work....There's a plug for the tranny on most Nissan that you can cut off of any junk yard car and make this a PNP setup....

Maxima ignition coil


D21 ignition coils (8 plug system)