My 1999 Cali Maxima misfires but there are no codes. It is most noticeable at stops (in gear). I replaced spark plugs, fuel filter, cleaned MAF, throttle body, PCV, used Gumout Regane. Same.

I decided to replace ignition coils one at a time. I used a spare coil I had purchased a while back in CYL 2. The engine now seems to runs great (no random kick from the engine at stops). BUT, now I am getting codes P1320 (ignition signal) and P0325 (knock sensor).

Since I wasn't sure of the coil manufacturer, I decided to order a new DENSO coil and try it instead. With the brand new DENSO coil, the misfire is back and no codes!

I'm perplexed! The coil that seems to work well, throws codes, but the other ones cause the car to run poorly with NO codes.

Any (inexpensive) suggestions are appreciated.

 

bad idle, check engine lite on.
Mechanic replaced coil with a napa coil.
idled fine but code lite came back on.
mechanic replaced napa coil with oem, all was fine good idle, no code

 

Im not sure the quality of those denso coils, i believe that the 4th gens came with only hanshin, and earlier 4th gens came with mitsubishi coils....i would think someone on this forum has experience with the densos....but the rule of thumb on coils is anything but oem coils are a no go!...ive seen aftermarket coils throw a code for primary ignition, even tho they werent mis firing or anyting, but had to change them cuz he couldnt go trough inspection with a cel on....
but generally denso are good products for the 4t gens
im sure sum1 with experience with them will chime in... good luck

look for vacuum leaks

 

I would really like to see someone have success with an aftermarket coil and MAF. Unfortunately, I'm never seen anyone report good news with either. I keep a couple of spare coils and MAFs that I collect from junk yards.

 

a month or 2 ago i was on rockauto and they had coils advertised as OEM hanshin coils for like 60 bucks...

... I just looked at rock auto and the denso coils say they are hansin coils, but yet they have hitachi coils that are advertised as actual OE part?..........im confused !!

 

my guess is that nissan specs the tolerance too tight such that the ecm then rejects all coils except oem.
maybe Toyota does not do that, can u imagine having the coil issues (oem vs non oem) in a remote location like Africa?

 

Thanks everyone.

I just ordered a Hanshin coil and will see what happens! (somewhere I saw someone say that Denso was the same as Hanshin - guess not)

Mike M.

 

I have only had good luck with Hanshin and Hitachi coils.