2000 Nissan Maxima SE 4D from North America - Comments

2000 GLE MAXIMA. Bought a few yrs. ago with 37k miles. No major problems, now @ 108k miles.

SES light as well as TCS/SLIP lights on 2 days ago (TCS/SLIP LIGHTS WENT OFF ON 2ND DAY). FREE AUTO-ZONE DIAGNOSTICS reveal P0303 (CYL 3 MISS-FIRE) & P1320 which is only defined as IGNITION SIGNAL, and is most likely a COIL issue.

Will do the job myself & buy new platinum plugs and replace #3 coil first. I'm no mechanic, but capable of busting a few knuckles, followed by a few choice expletives. To everyone questioning the recall: This is a simple case of "stick it to the consumer". It's how they make their money. With times as bad as they are, it has to have an impact on the dealers. FIX IT YOUR SELF! That's the best way to send the message.

Oh, just thought I'd mention I have a 2003 Honda Element that the 02 sensor went bad on. I let my wife take it to dealer and they charged her $75 to diagnose it. I knew better. I took it to AUTO-ZONE as well, to double check, FOR FREE. Showed same code. The same AUTO-ZONE guy that checked my Maxima checked my Honda Element, WITH A SMILE ON HIS FACE. I tried to give him $5 bucks to buy his lunch, he would not take it.

I'll update soon. I'm pretty lazy though, so it may be a while! I have 3 cars, with the 2 above obviously being in need of repair. Guess I'd better get a move on, huh?

2000 Nissan Maxima GLE. This is an update to my previous post on 2/20/09 about the CEL (check engine light) or SES (service engine soon) and coil replacement.

Replaced all spark plugs and all coils last night. Did not have to remove anything to access all 6 coils. On #6, you have to do a little coaxing, but take your time and its no problem. Also, be careful not to drop the coil screw. It could be hard to retrieve on the back side. It was all so easy and took about 1.25 hours, and I'm not a mechanic by any means. The only problem I had was on the back side, with the ratchet extensions. I had to use 3 to reach the spark plugs. Removal was no problem. After installing, it was hard to remove the socket from the plug, without the extensions coming apart or the socket staying behind. When the extensions did stay together, the spark plug socket stayed behind! But, with a little patience, (and hopefully better tools),it was still simple. You can wrap a piece of masking tape 3/4 of the way around the bottom of the extension and it will help them stay together.

My total cost including my time was about $350. Got the coil set on EBay for $268, no tax, free shipping. Will update later with results.

Everyone in trouble with the 2000 Maxima should send a complaint to Nissan company or call them. I have just sent mine.

I own a 2000 Maxima SE as most of you guys. The light was on forever! It said I need to change my idle control (speed) and I replaced it. But the light is still on, saying the very same thing. The garage told me I have to replace the ECM (computer of the car), which would cost me over $1000! It is ridiculous to spend a grand for the stupid signal!!!

After reading all your comments, I am furious. All of us should try to contact the Nissan and get a reasonable reply. It is really a shame. I hope you guys could call the Nissan customer service at (800) NISSAN-1. I just made my call. We need to work together to get back our good money.

I've owned my 2k Maxima SE for about 2 years now. Experienced the starting problem, the idle problem, and that annoying check engine light. Got the car diagnosed, and guess what, it wasn't coils. It was the MAF (mass air flow) sensor. A genuine MAF sensor was cheaper than getting one at Kragens and Autozone. That cured the problem, the car runs like new. About the starting problem, I really did need a new starter. Hopefully this should shed some light.

I'm also having problems with my 2000 Maxima SE. Took to the dealer today and they told me 918.00. I can't believe Nissan is this sloppy. Thanks for all your comments. I am going to shop around on the web and try to purchase the coils and go to a mechanic.

My 2000 Nissan Maxima had some of the same problems with the check engine light coming on, but my mechanic said that the light was firing an error. We replaced the coils before that so they did not think that was the reason the check engine light was on. Last week my Maxima engine caught on fire. My insurance company is still in the process of doing an investigation into what started the fire. Hopefully this does not happen to anyone else.

99 Maxima SE

110,468 miles

#6 coil replaced at 36,000 miles.

Waiting for (most likely) #3 coil to fail after mechanic replaced plugs and said there was a general error code that came up. Said it could mean a coil malfunction, but that we might as well wait for the check engine light to indicate which one.

I have 2000 Maxima with 102k miles. It threw SES light on yesterday with code P1320. I assume I need new ignition coils as many of you guys. I am going to buy BWD coils and NGK iridium plugs from O'Reilly. Do you guys have any experience with these parts?

I loved this car until it reached 100k miles.

I have a 2000 Maxima that I bought a week ago. It will not turn over. It makes a clicking noise when you turn the ignition switch. Replaced battery. I think it may be the starter, but someone said there is a relay it could be? Which one should I check? Thanks.

I have a 2000 Max. I have replaced the 02 sensor and the starter and two front boots. It's cost about $1500 altogether. 2 weeks ago the SES light came on and now I am reading about the coils. I would like to know what happens if you don't replace the coils? I mean it's a lot of money and if it's really only 1 why do all 6?

If your Maxima is misfiring because of a coil, and you drive it anyway... it may well cause other problems in the emissions system.. the catalytic converter could become damaged and fail emissions... the converter is $1000.000... so be mindful of driving the car with a dead cylinder.. it could become very expensive.. so it may be more prudent to replace the coils.. Good Luck!!

I have a 2000 Maxima SE with 44k. My local garage I have been going to for 20 years gave the repair a shot by replacing the #4 coil and a spark plug. The check engine light still remained on with the P1320 code and they recommended I bring it back to Nissan. I decided to research the code on the internet first. Wow! I was blown away (and disheartened) by all the others experiencing this problem and the cost associated with it. As a single female not experienced at all with cars, I regret that I will probably have to go and fight this one with Nissan. I signed the petition. I appreciated reading all the posted comments and info.

Where is cylinder #1 on a 99 Nissan Maxima?

2000 Maxima 113k. P1320 distributor signal interrupt around 25k miles. I had the same thing before, took it to my mechanic, he said cylinder #4 was not working (no electricity) and probably ECU was damaged. He took power from the next cylinder and it works!!! But now 25k miles later the fuel injector electrical connector from cylinder #4 in which he put power from the next cylinder is losing contact and giving me that same old problem P1320... I need to get a fuel injector electrical connector, help me out!