99SE4me

Hey, has anyone ever heard of the ECU code before? Itcomes up as "ignition signa circuit" and I'm ot sure what it means. Any help would be greatly appreciated! The car only has 23,000 miles and is in excellent shape.

iwannabmw

iTrader: (3)

This what you mean?

DTC 0201

Diagnostic Trouble Code 0201 indicates a problem with the ignition coil and power transistor.

The ignition signalfrom the Engine Control Module is sent to and amplified by the power transistor. The power transistor turns onand off the ignition coil primary circuit. This on-off operation induces the proper high voltage in the coilsecondary circuit. The malfunction is detected when the ignition signal in the primary circuit is not entered during engine cranking or running.

The items to check include
- Harness or connectors (the ignition primary circuit is open or shorted.)
- Power transistor unit built into ignition coil
- Condenser
- Crankshaft Position Sensor (REF)
- Crankshaft Position Sensor (REF) circuit

A misfire on any individual cylinder should set a code, and a problem with the CPS should also set a code.

I would have expected to see DTC 0201 along with one of the following DTCs.
0407 - Crankshaft Position Sensor (REF)
0608 - Cylinder 1 misfire
0607 - Cylinder 2 misfire
0606 - Cylinder 3 misfire
0605 - Cylinder 4 misfire
0604 - Cylinder 5 misfire
0603 - Cylinder 6 misfire

You didn't get one of these "companion" DTCs, and that is puzzling. Maybe one of them will show up in the next
few days.

bill99gxe

iTrader: (1)

If you would like to do more research in the interim to see other's experiences with this code, just click below:

http://forums.maxima.org/search.php?...der=descending


Pay particular attention to posts by Daniel B. Martin.


Good luck.

iwannabmw

iTrader: (3)

Bill, is that a cut and paste reply for you now

bill99gxe

iTrader: (1)

No, the search strings are different.

iwannabmw

iTrader: (3)

I just figured with all the ECU questions, the cut and paste would be a good idea. I don't know if I'd put the effort into different search strings all the time

bill99gxe

iTrader: (1)

Well, it's just in case someone actually desires to do research on their problem rather than sit here for days and fret and worry hoping someone will give them the exact answer.

MaximaMike99SE

Hey, what are these items and where do I find them? My car is acting the same way and I'm getting the same code. Where would I look to check for these items? How will I know if they are bad?

drewm

Wow, so that's 2 99's that have that problem, and add me to that list because I just swapped out an ignition coil this morning and I have a 99. Doesn't this seem a bit strange to have so many people with the same problem?

DaddyMac

any new info ?

ANDREI D

I have same problem. 0201 only. 99 SE, 50000 mi

drewm

Hehe, sounds exactly like me... 99SE-L, 50800 miles, I guess they just all breakdown at the same time. It's most likely an ignition coil, just wait until you get another code readout in addition to the 2-1, that will tell you what cylinder to look in for it.

MaximaMike99SE

This is really strange. One day the car runs fine without and trouble. The next day, it runs terrible. What could be causing these inconsistencies?

bill99gxe

iTrader: (1)

Weather Conditions
Moisture
Humidity
Temperature
Loose coil connection
Defective coil
Dirt
Alignment of the planets
Lots of things

99CTMAXSE

Add me to list of the 0201 club. Just pulled the code off my car. i have a '99 with 47,000 miles. Any one know what the idle speed setting should be on the computer. This was not mentioned on the on-line (VBX Maxima) instructions. I left mine at the lowest setting. What is everyone going to do to repair?

bill99gxe

iTrader: (1)

I'm lost as to why you think an answer has not been given when it is the consensus the most likely culprit is a defective coil pack. Whether its one or all is unknown since this. Since the 2k Maximas had so many problems with them, it's possible that the 99s exhibit this as well as a part/supply change could have had a lot of "bad" coil pack(s) from the factory.

MaximaMike99SE

This may be a goofy question but is there an easy way to check these coil packs to see if they are defective or not? Any ideas?

99CTMAXSE

I have read/searched the possible causes.
I'm at a loss to why a $500.00+ coil pack would fail at 47k miles. That is very poor quality to me. It is also ironic how several cars all have the same problem with in the same week. I was just looking for feedback as to other people's diagnoses procedures and results. Thanks you for all you input.

Kevin

add me to the club,

the difference though, 96 GLE with 97,000 miles.

I tested the harnes connectors, so far everything is ok. I also checked the condensor harness.

Anyone know how I can check the ignition coils packs that plug into the Spark plugs?

Mine was accompanied with a Knock Sensro code, but I fell that the Knock seonsor one was probalby there before and never set off the CEL. the ignition signal circuit is what set off the CEL

Kevin

maxima_million

HOW IRONIC??? I pulled 0201 from my ECU and searched the forum... This is what I found then I looked at the dates... HOW IRONIC that exactly the same time last year this type of problem seems to pop up! I am still waiting for my 2nd code to show and my '98 SE runs fine! I just thought I'd throw this out there....

Kanaka

iTrader: (4)

Yeah, I just pulled this code today myself. Lucky for me it was only a loose coil pack harness. Guess I didn't secure it well after installing my VI.

Mmmaxx

I have had this error code for like 3 weeks now, posted about it last week, I know what the problem is, just need to find with coil is bad and replace it.

maxima_million

I too have had the code for about 3 weeks. I read the Haynes mag... i need to get an ohm meter and test each one too! I'm starting to wonder if it's a seasonal issue since last year there was all of this talk... Does anyone know how much they cost?

plmaxima

great so now we have the 0201 club,

I might as well join, Last week my CEL light came on, so I went to my local Autozone and had them check my ECU. I had a codes for knock sensor, ignition signal circuit and a misfire on cyl 4. I'm gonna go and replace the coil on cyl 4 hopefully that fixes the problem. Does any one know where I can get a coil pack cheap????

izzydig

Just got my misfire going last night. Trouble Code 0608 (cyl #1 misfire) Drives fine all day. Stop at my g/fs house. Pick her up, start up engine and cr a p, it feels like poo.

I moved coil pack #1 to #3. It seemed to have bettered the rumbling of the engine (because the #3 cyl is in the center of the engine, less torque). Today I went and attempted to get a set of six coil packs from a junkyard for $85. Then they bugged out on me on the deal. Screw them. They compensated me for my gas tho.

Oh well, I'll keep calling around town. And oh yeah, since I've moved the coil pack I got a 0201. Though the engine runs the same with or without the #3 plugged or not. Tho I checked it right after i moved it. I'm sure if I check it now it'll read cyl 3 misfire.

Here's a question: Is cyl 1,3,5 ( near the firewall) considered the right bank? If I have to order on-line, I don't want to order the wrong one. I get three different answers off-line and different answers on the org. Help!

ANDREI D

Front-#2,#4,#6-left. Back (near the firewall)-#1,#3,#5-right. Just get a one you need #3(right). I did replace one coil pack over a 25000 mi ago, no more problems. I did get it from www.pinnaclenissan.com #3 will cost you $58.04 plus $5.00 to ship. Andrei D.

izzydig

Thank you for the clarification and reply.

Your clarification agrees with cross referencing the part number with the nissan auto parts.com web site just in case anybody else needs the clarification as well.

-Thanks again