Hey guys, my 2000 Maxima SE 3.0 has been throwing a CEL, can't remember exact code, but it's something with the ignition coil. I've had the car for a year and a half with the light on, it is now just giving me problems. On a cold start, it takes a few seconds to start, sometimes it's starting to turn over, and it fails, but ends up starting a second later. How much and how difficult is replacing the ignition coil?

My heat only runs when the car is warm and driving, thermostat issue? How difficult is that repair?

Last thing, I'm in dire need of a y-pipe, want OEM, but may have to settle for an aftermarket. Does anyone have one for sale? Which aftermarket is the quietest?

Thanks for any help fellas!

 

I AM REALLY NEW HERE, (see post) but am I really misunderstanding this question? I've been known to over think things!

 

1. My coil was something around $130 (2002 max). Which coil? Pull the codes and figure it out. In my opinion the job is fairly simple and certainly straight forward. Just need a Torque wrench and basic socket set.

2. Check coolant level. You leak fluid? Always start simple. This step is free. I think a vacuum leak could cause this too. Pulling codes is the best start. Also free....BTW, everyones heat only works when the car is warm. Thats like 90% of the reason people warm up their cars in the winter.

3. I do not have a y-pipe for sale nor do I know much about the aftermarket ones.

 

Patience Grasshopper.

 

No coolant leaks. Let me rephrase for first poster, The heat only works if the car is in motion, with the throttle being pressed. If I'm idle at a
stop, the heat becomes cool air.

Thanks for the replies tho guys, keep her near the top!

 

2damax gave you good info. A coil pack , non-nissan, is around $60. Go to an auto parts store and have them read the codes. Ignition coil codes are P030x, where x = cylinder number.

Your cooling problem is a classic case of low coolant. Check it out - remove the radiator cap when the engine is cold and not running. Radiator should be full clear to the top.

For a Y pipe, try the Maxima.org classifieds:

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...-2000-2003-42/

 

Thanks for the help Dennis. I'm hoping the coil pack is something my friend and I can do ourselves.

I'll check the coolant levels, I thought it was full, maybe not. Any other suggestions if it is guys?

 

Replacing the spark plugs in my car was the first job I ever did. Although it took me quite some time, I did it. Just be patient and make sure you have everything you need before you start. Start early in the day so you don't lose sunlight if it takes longer than you expected....seriously lol

 

Yeah I def will start early lol. Anybody know anything about the thermostat issue? The coolant is full in the radiator

 

Any other opinions/tips ? Gearing up to get this **** taken care of this weekend

 

1. Sounds like two separate issues. One, a bad coil where you have already been given advice. The second issue is the hard start. Did it start hard after or before the check engine light began to appear?

2. Check and verify you have coolant flowing through the radiator. Sometimes the radiators tend to get clogged over time.

3. I only have had a cattman aftermarket y-pipe and it was pretty quiet. It was louder than stock, but not obnoxiously loud. Cattman has good quality as well so it will last the lifetime of the car.

 

The light has been in since I've owned the car, and it's never given me any issues starting until a couple weeks ago. It only has trouble on cold starts, warm starts it fires right up. Cold starts takes a try or two before it turns over

 

^ so whatever was starting to break is just breaking more.

 

Sounds like you need to check your ground connections and likely have to add another ground cable.

You will need to add a ground cable from your tranny (as close to CPK as possible) to the negative terminal on your battery. Use a 2 or 4 gauge wire with good connections. I picked up everything for the ground wire from Home Depot for under $10.