I was changing my sparks plugs for the first time on the maxima. And what a pain in the ***. I dropped two of the coil screws somewhere in the motor. My problem is that I broke the coil pack one of the three prongs, and I broke the wiring adapter for the coil pack. I salvaged it, so I believe. Now the car is running like hell, but It feels like it is running on all cylinders. The thing is the car is shaking and the power band is crap. Which would make you believe the problem is simply it is not running on all cylinders. Yesterday however I experienced the car running on 5 cylinders and the car now feels nothing like that. Is the problem simply the coil pack that I damaged isnt doing the job to par? Also the plugs I used are Iridium IX. Are those recommended? I don't want to sound like an idiot, I happen to be very mechanically savy, but just want more than my opinion.

Thanks in Advance,
Alec

 

WHen you say "dropped the coil screws in the motor" did you mean around somewhere in the engine bay or IN the motor, as in the head?

I wouldn't rig the coil pack connector. I would get a new one.

I think the iridiums are ok, as long as they are NGK brand.

Check your coil packs for the little silver dots/circles on top. If they don't have them you may have the "weaker"/older design coil packs. In that case you may be experiencing weak spark, which from what I have heard on the board a common VQ30 problem.

 

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Sweet first post.

Anyways thanks for the reply how much would the stealership sell the coil packs for?

 

im also curious what u mean by drop in the engine? if its in the engine bay behind the menifod a simple magnet will get them out, if u mean into the engine, then im surprised ur car runs at all, anyway yes, ur problem is most likely the faulty coil, just get a new one and ur set

 

youre mechanically savvy... but you dropped 2 screws into a motor, broke one coil and one connector...


hmm... well either you have a bad connection, a failed coil or...

you dropped a screw into the motor...

you have a CEL?

 

I dont drive the maxima, because it is my sons car. I drive a M740iL and have a M3 track car. I was rushing the spark plug install, only had about 40 mins to do it.. My back hurt and I was inpatient. So I definately should have done this another day, but gas milage was below par. I lost 2 screws, I didnt drop them in motor. I replaced those for 2 dollars and a 5 minute drive (no big deal). My inpatience caused a pair of needle nose pillars to mutilate a coil pack. I happen to have an engineering degree from United States Naval Academy so I figure I am qualified enough to change a couple spark plugs. This jap motor however was a pain in the ***, compared to BMW. Porsche, all American cars, etc.
P.S.
This is my sons car and he posts on this forum occasionaly.

 

concerning a 2k gxe, if those marks are not there and there is a TSB about the issue what should the dealership to in this situation? am having this prob on my Girlfriends 2k and need to get it fixed.

 

dude the plugs and coils aren't hard on a maxima. i can have mine done start to finish in like 20 minutes. never work on a car when your in a hurry or pissed. never turns out right. like everyone has said replace the coil and everything should be ok. DaveB can get them pretty cheap so you might want to contact him on the .org. calm down and take you time next time. it will work out better. by the way besides my first pickup, a 90 GMC, my max is the easiest car to work on out of a 95 monte carlo, a 99 v-10 F250, and a 91 bronco. my two maxima's are a breeze.

 

Probably nothing. If the powertrain warranty is up you will really have battle.

I think the coils are about 55 bucks from courtesynissan. that is each.

 

My problem is the coil pack is fine. The wiring that runs to the coil-packs is the problem. I forced one of the wiring adapters on the coil pack. BIG NO NO. I know this. So i broke the wiring adapter. How the hell can I buy one of those. I have not looked at it in detail so Im not sure what work would be required.

 

engineers dont have a very good rep for being on the repair side of things.

not that youre not qualified, but engineers do stuff like you just explained


you want the wiring connector with pigtail if possible. then youll just splice the new connector in. if it doesnt come with a pigtail, youll need the connector pins and then you crimp the pins and insert into the new connector body.

easy cheesy...


and BTW, Porsches are easy because you lift the car up and everything is real easy to get to...

except the stuff on top, but yeah...

 

"Check your coil packs for the little silver dots/circles on top. If they don't have them you may have the "weaker"/older design coil packs. In that case you may be experiencing weak spark, which from what I have heard on the board a common VQ30 problem"

where are those going to be exactly??

 

Anyone have a link for the wiring connector with pigtail.
BTW I called stealership huge ******* service rep. He wants to charge me $95 for the coil pack instead of $45 or $55 anywhere else, and the standard $78 dollars and hour. I told him way to break my *****. I was just thinking what would happen if your whole coil system plus wiring went bad. I relized how I broke the coil pack, as a leason never seperate the hose with the coil from the main black"box" housing. I couldn't see why that would effect it so for the drivers side coil I detached it for a easier fitment. Sweet sterdy parts. Thats why Im glad I only work with ton+ steel.

 

Yup, I also had one hell of a time changing mine for the first time. I also have an engineering degree and about 35 years experience with car maintenance.
Changing these plugs is a slice of hell. I had to actually crawl up on top of the engine to change the last one and, NONE of the electrical connectors would unplug so, pulling out the entire deal was pure BS.

 

Call DaveB and he wil lgive you a better price. 1-888-254-6060 tell him you are an Org member... good luck...

 

pulling off the intake is a slice of hell?

 

What are you talking about?

 

plugs on a Maxima are a 20 min job MAX. Wait till ya gotta do plus on a ML320 or ML430... if ya think Germans are smart. 2 plugs per cylinder with almost no room to get at to change those sparking candles. LS1 Camaros are not too eassy with the rear spark plus to change out. How bout doing plugs on a Mitsubishi V6 or a Hyundai ? intake has to come off to do this... and you are complaining that Nissan made the job "hard", man people these days.

 

that's one way to get banned

call Dave B for all your needed parts.

 

He's referring to the intake plenum that you have to remove in order to replace the spark plugs on a 2002-2003 Maxima. 2000-2001 doesn't have that problem.

 

Oh ok I was fairly confused there. Do you have to take of the intake plenum with any other 3.5 Nissan like my Murano for example?

 

the worst it could be is pulling the intake manifold, which if youve been working on cars for 35 ****ing years should be a snap.


by no means a slice of hell.

 

and it doesnt look like it, alec.