some of you might find this amusing.

I bought my '99 in July 2005 w/ 66k on it. previous owner took it to the dealer for all service. was reviewing the dealer invoices tonight to see which coils had been replaced. here's what happened:

56,731 - P1320. dealer said to wait for cyl code.
57,861 - P0306. dlr replaced #6 coil ($301). dlr also cleaned TB ($104) and performed 3M fuel injector cleaning ($136).
58,898 - P0138 & P0139. dlr replaced rear O2 ($367).
62,866 - $287 for ATF drain/fill, coolant drain/fill, belts, air filter.
63,375 - P1320. $99 diagnosis. dlr cleared codes, says wait for cyl code.
63,520 - P0302. dlr replaced #2 coil ($252 on top of the $99 diagnosis).

at this point the guy bought a new Altima, and a few months later sold his fully loaded '99 SE to me. after I wrote the check and took the keys the guy said "good luck. hope you know how to fix cars..."

I have since replaced the KS and both front O2 sensors (only one was bad but I did both for good measure/symmetry), but the remaining Hanshin coils have been fine so far. I just keep waiting for the next one to fail. I'm planning to buy the back 3 and 1 front, and keep them in the trunk just incase. Car now has 95k on it.

 

You are lucky to have such a detailed history of your car. When i got mine i was considered lucky it came with the owners manual.

The reason the 99 seems to have these coil problems is because nissan switched manufacturers that year and I suppose the coils were made like $hit.

A funny story: when i was test driving my car (the one i ended up buying) i asked the used car dealer to replace the winshield (which was cracked and HAD to be replaced casue it would not pass safety otherwise), fix a cracked mirror housing (which they "body shopped"), and get rid of the CEL that was on at the time (i had no clue about checking it myself, that was before i was a member here). Well, the day i picked up my car he tells me that: "these cars have sensors all over the place, its just the gas tank pressure, make sure u tighten the gas cap pretty well". I laughed and grabbed the keys and drove off the lot. It was just the downstream o2 code 0902 but I felt like crap being lied to you know. i replaced the sensor and the CEL never came back on.

 

Ow, $301 to replace 1 coil.....

 

I almost feel bad, but I laughed when I read that. $301 for a single coil...that is insane.

 

that is OEM parts and labor. labor probaly $50 worth 100$ diag and 150 in parts i guess if thats normal for OEM coils. All prices above seems average run of the mill prices i would charge working at the dealership. but i would of not charged diag or labor on the 2nd coil. i would of made the customer pay for a new coil and just replace it for free since 5k later a CEL came on again its a techincailly a come back .

 

Hence that is where they get the name "stealerships"

 

actually, the 301 was $188 labor (2 hours) + $85 for the coil + tax & "shop supplies" = 301. on the other coil they actually charged him a separate $99 fee to just read the code, and then charged another $144 for labor, plus more shop supplies.

I didn't feel bad for the guy. he was a wealthy investment banker that lived in a massive house out in the burbs. he was **** about maintaining his stuff, and when I saw the detailed file folder with receipts for everything ever done to the car I didn't hesitate to buy it. he even took it to the dealer for new wiper blades ($30).

 

Once again, 2 hours labor? Try 2 minutes.

I wonder if this guy's butt hurt after getting screwed so bad.

 

you should have titled this "stealership got the best of him"

 

agreed "stealerships"nissan shouldve recalled those doodoo *** coils..i myself have had my 99 max gle for 2 weeks....light is on and hmmm coils,egr, o2, knock maybe...what a bunch of crap to put with a 10 best v6 ever made

 

The code tells you exactly what the problem is.

 

^duh^

just havent had time to check but almost positive its retlated to what i said...matter of fact i'll check today and repost

 

oh and u stated that it shows EXACTLY what the problem is...not always the case if its 1 thing involved in a system of things (like emissions) sometimes it will throw a typical code in that area and u have to trial and error to correct it...god i love that SES light it is so comforting

 

Why don't you read the code and save the pity party for your diary?

Yes there can be multiple factors, it tells you the area that is affected. Through process of elimination or just basic knowledge the problem can be narrowed down very quickly. Much different than a car without a CEL or a light that does not indicate the problem without dealer inspection.

 

code P0400-EGR
code P0138-Bank 1 Sensor 2 (O2)

come join the pity party with me