Ok, I went to my mechanic(a friend of the family) to get an inspection but my CEL is on. He cleared it, waited for it to be ready but the light came back on. I have the codes: P0430 and P1320.Mechanic recommended we bring it to a dealer because I have had all coils and O2 sensors replaced.

So I have a friend in sales and he recommended the service manager who has been there for 27 years and went in with me to talk to him. He was extremly nice and did not come off as the usualy dealer *******. He told me they would look into the problems and let me know.

Later I get a call and he tells me that the rear converters(pre cats) need to be replaced. My car is cali-spec and both are bad so they need to replace both. He said they discovered that they were bad and it was not an O2 sensor because they used the data read from the O2 sensor to determine they were both needed replacement and that the data that was being read was consistant. He also told me that as for the P1320 code he was a little more worried about. That usually this code comes up with another code to tell which cylinder is having the problem but this code is solo. He thinks that maybe a wire or connection is loose or faulty, could be a bad coil, or it could be that the ECM needs replaced due to the fact that it is the mechanism that is reading there is a bad cylinder when in fact there may not be. He said that when I bring the car back they can further diagnose the cars ignition problem but that it may mean a new ECM which is about another $700 ontop of each converter, $650.

What do you guys think? Sound right? Sound bad? Possible? Past experience? I am trying to pool every resorce I have on this so that me and my father can take apprpriate action. Specs on the car are: 2000 Maxima GXE w/ 133,xxx miles. No mods.

 

Did you replace your Coils before? If not, then you might. $300 better then new ECU. That will take care of 1320.

I get 0430 once in a while. I just haven't got to getting O2 sim to put in to get rid of those codes.

But on top of all this, I suggest you read and search in the forum. There is bunch of different ways to fix 0430. But maybe you can afford to fix it the "proper" way, then go ahead. I wouldn't.
For $20 you can get alot of info out of this forum.

 

Forgot to write, chances are this thread will get locked pretty soon.

 

well considering that I would like to get it done the "proper" way i was asking people if they had had past experience and brought their cars to dealers or mechanics and what their outcome was. I have done research but other than a $20 sim would to know how accurate their results were with others on the board.

and yes i have replaced ALL 6 coils as it says. So thats another reason i'm asking. That problem should have been solved but isn't.

 

you can NOT condemn a catalytic converter with any hint of misfire present based on efficiency code. have them locate the failed coil, or have them replace all of them first.

is there any other scheduled maintenance that youre not up to date on?

 

as far as i remember, i don't think many brought their car to dealer to fix 1320. Maybe for diagnostics and reprogramming, if definetely ECu is dead.
You;ll just have to wait for more responses. I didn't bring mine to dealer. replaced all coils - problem went away. I also didn't have specific cylinder code, only 1320. Only once the specific cylinder poped up.

When it comes to 0430, it comes in once in two months or so. I have a leak in flex section. Suspecting that could be the cause. Can't change it myself cause its too rusted. Its good to put a new precat in there, but for that money, i don't think its worth it to me.
Good luck.

 

Thank you for that information. I am giving all information to my father who is going to be talking to the service manager inthe morning. We have had all coils replaced but I guess you never know, maybe i just got a bad one.

As for the maintenance, all the maintenance has been done. We even have paperwork proving a 100 point inspection done at a delearship exactly a year ago. Tha paperwork even notes that the car had this problem, but states that it was very intermittant and woulg go away for months and just come back one day. It seems that the dealer knowing it was fixed disregarded it and did not think that there was any problem.

 

Does anyone know if a 1320 or 0306 may mask the reporting of a 0430?

- Took my 2k max to dealer to fix ignition coils for 1320 at 79,500 miles.
- While driving home (40 miles away), check engine light came back on.
- Finally got it back to the dealer at 83,000 miles. Showing code 0430. Quote me $750 for new cat. EPA mandates 8/80k on emission parts. Dealer won't cover

Anyone have any ideas for recorce. I have a copy of the service records including system test.

 

aren't you 3k miles over the warranty coverage period? And its probably not a CAT, just an O2 sensor.

 

way to bring back my old thread. And no its a pre-cat. they are expensive. if you want it done right get it fixed..otherwise search and learn about an O2 sensor...dont bring back threads from the dead.

 

i defenatly dont think u need to spend 700 on a new ecm, sounds like carp the guy is telling u. u may however need to replace all the coils, better do them all together anyway. i think u can get the 6 from daveb for like 270 shipped, id recomend to change the plugs at same time. takes bout an hour to do urself. as far as the cat it could be true, could also be just need new o2 sensor.