Dear orgers,
I have an 03 6spd SE maxima and got a P0300 code today. It has 150k on it and is still running strong with no problems. The day was cold (snow,sleet and rain) and I started it for the first time in the day.
I heard a brief squeal for 1 second and then I got this SES light on. There are 2 codes both saying P 0300.
What could be the issue? Could the noise I had be unrelated to the code?
Please do not tell me to search the forum for answers as I already did that.
People have mentioned spark plugs, coil packs, cylinder damage, engine replacements, vacuum leaks and many more things and it is very confusing.

Thanks in advance

 

P0300 is a random misfire.

Random being the key word.
Everything you did find in the search is what most will tell you here.
Check spark plugs, all connections everywhere, and keep things clean.
Good luck, the p0300 has mystified many..

 

Hello again,
I checked the oil level and it was almost at the minimum marking. added half a quart of oil and the SES light disappeared. So can I assume that the problem is solved?
My idling at cold start is not steady at 1200 rpm. It fluctuates from 1000 to 1300.
When the car is warm, it is close to 600rpm.
Do you think a trip to the mechanic is needed at this point? or wait and see if the code returns?

 

No. That was just coincidence. The problem is still hiding somewhere.

Your idle is OK, on the low side of specs. Spec is 625 rpm, + or - 50 rpm.

The fluctuation when cold isn't right, but may somehow be related to the P0300 that will no doubt re-appear. If you don't work on the car your self, wait until your problem is more consistent. Random and intermittent problems are difficult to track down and therefore take time. You are paying mechanics by the hour, so I suggest you wait.

 

Low oil will be one of the many was that the P0300 can appear, reason being that when you allow the oil to get to low sludge and other foreign matter gets pushed through the very narrow passage way of the variable timing solenoid blocking it up ... hence the P03003 code will appear