I've had my 2000 Maxima about 3 to 4 months. When I bought it the car had a service engine soon light saying that a O2 sensor needed to be replaced between the converter and muffler which I did. Now I'm getting another code. One place said that it was a P1320 and another place said that it was a P1320 and a P0325. Are these cars bad about getting service engine soon codes very often? I really like the car as far as the ride, handling, MPG, etc, but getting these codes figured out and parts replaced can be costly. When you get these lights checked they normally can't tell you one particular thing that the problem is they usually show you a list of possibilities. I bought the car for my son but he decided on something else, so I'll probably be selling it soon but I want to get this code fixed before I sell it.

 

The P1320 code is what needs to be dealt with.

The P0325 code likes to show up with a lot of other codes and will usually go away when the other code(s) are resolved. P0325 is for the knock sensor which detects knocking and pinging.

The P1320 code has several possible causes. This is from the service manual:

Malfunction is detected when the ignition signal in the primary circuit is not sent to ECM during engine cranking or running.

Possible Causes
* Harness or connectors (The ignition primary circuit is open or shorted.)
* Power transistor unit built into ignition coil
* Condenser
* Crankshaft position sensor (REF) - {mounted at the harmonic balancer}
* Crankshaft position sensor (REF) circuit

You could have several (or all) ignition coil packs bad or the crankshaft sensor. You could try adding a ground wire from the engine block to the battery.

There is a testing procedure in the nissan service manual, maybe it could be of some help. The procedure is in section EC starting on page 584 or 585 (depends on if you download the 2000 manual or the 2000.5 manual.

download the FSM:

http://boredmder.com/FSMs/Nissan/Maxima/

 

The 1320 can also be caused by using non-OEM coilpacks.

 

that is very common. check to see if your coils are oem, if not, replace them. Maximas don't like aftermarket coils, it will run great but you'll never get rid of that code.

check your harmonic balancer.

 

That's the problem I have... Car runs just fine but the code came back. I had a coil pack go out, and I replaced it with one from Napa because none of the local Nissan dealerships here had one in stock, and I needed to get my car back on the road that same day. The 1320 code didn't take long to come back. I know that if I replace the Napa coil with an OEM one and clear the code it will be gone, but I just haven't got around to it yet.

 

From what I can find out, I've had a couple of Nissan places tell me that with the code I'm getting that 9 times out of 10 the coil packs need to be changed along with the plugs. I had someone change the plugs about 2-3 months ago when the valve cover gaskets were replaced. I was also told like I was told here that I should only buy the Nissan parts because I would be right back where I'm at now if I buy anything else. Can someone tell me if there's a write-up along with pictures showing how to remove/install the coil packs? I believe I read somewhere that it isn't that hard of a job to do except the back three are harder to get to. If I'm getting Nissan parts will the dealership be the only place I'll be able to buy them? Thanks.

One other thing, the previous owner had all of them replaced in 2004 with 93,000 miles on the car at the Nissan dealership. The car now has 218,000 on it, so it sounds like they could be due to be changed out again.

 

You probably don't need plugs since they were changed not that long ago. If you want to go cheap because you are going to sell the car right away, buy the coils from your local auto parts store. I have 3 coils from autozone in my car for over 2 years and no problems yet.

There are various on-line places that you can buy Nissan parts from. They are cheaper than the dealer, but don't forget that you will have to pay a shipping charge that is not included with the price.

The part numbers are 22448-2Y000 (firewall side) and 22448-2Y005 (radiator side).

nissanpartszone.com
courtesyparts.com
are 2 places that I use. Hopefully some orthers will chime in and tell you of some other places.

 

Thanks for the information, and I'll be sure to check them out. I believe I finally found some information on locating/removing/installing the coil packs and plugs. It appears that the front aren't too bad but the rear ones are more difficult. I had someone change my plugs like I mentioned, but I wasn't around when it was done, so I'm interested in seeing if they were changed.