Read this...it W-I-L-L happen to you if it hasn't already!

Ok so I replaced an ignition coil once before because I had severe cylinder misfires. They went away for approx. 4 months and now they are back. I heard one org member say once that he went through most of the ignition coils on his 99 in a relatively short period.

This is starting to really bug me. If you look for the TSB on Nissan's website, it says that in particular, 99 SE's have more trouble with ignition coils than any other Maxima. This is going to be my second one in an 8-month interval. I'm p!ssed off because coil packs are expensive - approx. $70 each.

Now I am screwed because the misfire is minor, random, but seldom. Therefore, there is no way to test which one is truly defective. ALso, I went through this before and the ECU will almost never throw a code for a bad coil pack until it happens frequently, which it does not. Members here (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=127263) where really going at it, but with no conclusive testing results and what not.

Anybody have any suggestions? Is replacing all 6 a good idea? Can I assume that the new coil packs will last longer and are more reliable than the ones my Maxima came with? Also, where can I get them cheapest? - any websites? Stores? Dealers are expensive!

Thanks in advance!

 

You could test each coil pack with a multimeter...instructions are somewhere on here.

BTW...I'm about to replace one of my coil packs (#5). I hope the '99 coil problem is a myth.

 

I feel your pain. I have had random coil pack problems with almost never getting a CEL. My car ran on 5 cylinders for 2 days before a code was given. And sometimes the code won't give you a specific cylinder. It is frustrating. I have not had problems for a little while now but I know I have a few weak coil packs. I have heard from other org members that an ebay seller has great deals on Maxima coil packs every once and a while. $200 for all 6 and they are OE as well. I say keep a look out for those. 6 new at the dealership would be over $500.

 

you may be able to replace all 6 with coilpacks from another year. If these are compatible, this would seem to solve your problem. I wouldn't mix and match though. I think Nissan switched manufacturers somewhere through the 4th gen. probably in 99.

 

I'm Haveing trouble with mine its a 99, Im getting a code telling me "cylinder 2 misfire" what is it do I need to change the ingnition coil ? I already put new spark plugs and still nothing?

 

a have 3 coils off a 97. I can work something out.
maxima97gle@hotmail.com

 

I have a 99 max where the coils needed replaced at 40k miles. the dealer wanted $700 for the job, but as you said, the parts are $70 a piece * 6, where the hell does $400 for labor come from? So I replaced all 6 myself. The dealer told me that I needed to change all 6 and not figure out which one was bad because they claimed that if I only replaced the bad ones that would somehow affect the remaining good ones and I'd have to change them all anyway. This is bogus. Everything I've read and all common sense says no to that theory. So, I did replace all 6 with aftermarket from Autozone. I replaced them 1 at a time. The 2nd one that I changed was the one with the problem. I could have only changed 1, but I changed all 6. that was a year ago and I've had no problems since.

 

You had to take the coil out to get to the spark plug. So basically it's really easy if you know how to change your spark plug. That long tube that you pulled out of the cylinder that was attached to the plug is the coil pack. It's easy.

 

A misfire can be caused my a bad plug, coil, or injector. Coils are the majortiy of misfire problems on a maxima. Check that first.

 

HAHA...OMG...That just proves it's not a myth lol.

The first coil I replaced was #5 as well!!!!

 

Ha ha ha - This isn't funny at all! I also replaced #5 and I drive a 99 too.
My hesitation problem never went away though, its still plaguing me - grrr.

 

I'm the one who ended up replacing all 6. I know exactly what your going though. My time frame was shorter, but after a third one started going out, I just decided enough was enough and replaced the remaining 4 with new ones. Was flamed here on the org for replacing all 6 and suggesting it to a fellow member, but I will say it solved all my misfire problems. $56 a coil at Courtesy Nissan.

 

...well lucky me I have a hook-up on used coil packs for cheap.

 

I think the new ones they sell now are improved, but the old ones were kind of defective. Go ask for the prices at auto stores or you can probably get a set of used ones for like $50 in the Classified section.

If only someone you knew worked at a Nissan dealer. They probably get a 50% discount on parts
How much were the AutoZone ones?
But the used ones will die

 

They were $72, about $8 cheaper than the ones at my dealer. Since the dealer looked me in the eye and proved themselves dumb as a cow, I went with Autozone. But there is a guy who has posted here before (do a search for ignition coils if the search feature works) that works at a Nissan dealer in Texas and when he has them in stock he sells them for $55 or so. Cheaper enough to look into it. He was out of stock when I had the problem. Anyway, I just bit the bullet and haven't had trouble since...knock on wood.

 

That's Dave B.

 

I believe that 99's have the same defective coils as the 00's which are covered under a TSB for them, but not for 99's.

I replaced #6 at 72k miles. I had an ignition circuit error code for a few weeks in advance and then finally a code for #6 misfire specifically. Ordered part from DAVE B for $55 and it got here just in time. Was out running an errand when it finally dropped out completely - ran the car on 5 cylinders a mile or two back home and installed my coil which had just come in the previous day. Although it's bad for modding, OBD-II rocks when you're trying to fix stuff on your car.

That was a good 6-9 months and 10k miles ago and still no further problems. Nissan $tealerships just say you need to replace all 6 because they want to make more money. I don't think you need to replace all 6, but you can if you want to I guess. Currently have two spare coil packs (1 fr, 1 rear) just in case some more go bad.

Gotta love the ORG. If it wasn't for this place I would have gotten a $300 lube job by Nissan to replace that sucker.

 

well like one of the guys above said, I'll just wait a while for that deal on ebay. Supposedly one guy sells brand new OEM coils for 99's for $200. Nothing can beat a price like that for all 6 coils!