Hello all,
About 6 weeks ago I started getting intermittent P0320 codes. My engine started with a little bit of a rattle. Took it to my mechanic for a diagnostics who told me that a P0320 and my symptoms could be caused by using regular instead of premium fuel. I switch to premium and was told to go through a tank or two and then see if I still get the P0320 code.

Well, during the next two weeks the rattle got worse and had a stall upon startup on two different occasions. Figured I'd bite the bullet and replaced all 6 ignition coils with aftermarket Standard brand Ignition Coils (made in Poland). I know I know I know I should have gone with OEM but the only place that had OEM coils in stock was the Nissan dealer at outrageous prices. And didn't want to wait for online shipping as this is my only car and I needed it fixed ASAP.

Put the new coils in and engine rattle lessened but was still there. And now the (P01320 code) service engine light would come up along with the the SLIP and TCS lights EVERY single time I started up the car. I had replaced spark plugs only 3 months before, but had used Bosch plugs instead of OEM. Decided to try replacing the plugs with NGK to see if that was the problem.

Today I replaced all 6 plugs with NGK platinum tipped plugs. After 3 months the Bosch plugs already were dirty and had the carbon fouling. After replacing the spark plugs I'm STILL getting p0320 and SLIP and TCS lights after every startup. Furthermore I've got engine rattle suggesting still some kind of misfire.

Today I also replaced the air filter and put some fuel injector cleaner in case the dirty plugs are being caused by the junk fuel I've been putting through the engine prior to my switch to Premium.

Questions: So....What do I do now? I know aftermarket coils have their problems but these ones are brand new, so I don't think this is a matter of OEM vs Aftermarket coil. I've read about crankshaft sensors and other sensors, but can these sensors actually cause misfires? What am I missing here?

 

Until you fix this any other troubleshooting and parts changing will likely be in vain. There is a reason why there are so many threads and people talking about problems with aftermarket coils and why you should go OEM.

 

I had misfires on 2000 maxima also I bought aftermarket coils that weren't OEM. I had the same issue with TCS and SLIP light on. They went away when I bought OEM coils with the gray dots and those lights haven't been on since.

 

You need to bite the bullet and get OEM ignition coils. Period.

 

Okay, OEM coils. Guess I do have to bite the bullet here.

Question: could aftermarket coils be causing the misfire? I know they could be tripping the SES light, but if they are brand new could they actually cause a misfire?

 

^^ Yup, and symptoms are directly related to coils. Aftermarket simply doesn't work. This is a well known issue/has been covered in many threads around here...

Assuming you have a 2000, you should get 2001 coils (updated part with no issues) to solve this problem for good. Part# 22448-2Y001

Also, you can test individual coils and replace one by one. But if you plan to keep the car for a while, better to swap all 6 and forget it because all of them will go bad at some point