20th Jun 2006, 22:15

For all the guys that are having ignition coil problems, you should really consider doing this repair yourself to save a ton of cash. The first time I had one go bad, I think the dealer charged me $300 for the diagnosis and fix, but wanted to do all 6 coils for the tune of like $900. I had them fix just the one, and sure enough, about 6 months later I had another go bad (Autozone pulled the code and told me I had a misfire, but could not tell me which cylinder). Check out the maxima.org forums and look up a guy named Dave B who works for a Nissan dealer in Austin. I called him and ordered the other 5 coils (I assumed that the one that was recently fixed was still good) for something like $250... which is less that the dealer charged me to fix just one! Changing them out is a snap, and I am not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination. I went ahead and changed all the spark plugs, since I had the ignition coils off... the whole job took like 45 minutes and the car ran great afterwords.

Now, a couple years later, I am having cold starts, engine knock, and hesitation. This time Autozone pulled the codes and tells me that I have P0174 (system too lean). I did some research on maxima.org and it seems that this is likely my MAF sensor, and I ordered it from Dave B a couple days ago for $83. This install also seems like it will be a snap, since the MAF sensor is right after the air filter. I called my dealer locally, and the part was going to be $125, and some guys on the Internet were saying their dealers were charging anywhere from $400 - $700 for the part + install! In my mind, even if I am wrong about which part is bad, $83 is less than the dealer will charge me to hook up to their computer, so it is worth the gamble.

Anyway, my point is that Maximas seem to have some common problems that are easy to fix yourself with a little homework. Also, check out people like Dave B and nissanparts.cc before you buy parts locally, and you will likely save a ton of hard earned cash.

I hope this helps some of you guys out. I am sure I am like most of you, I love my Maxima when it is running properly... but these darn sensors, etc that keep failing are driving me nuts (I have also had to replace both O2 sensors, and those were crazy expensive). Of course, the dealer does nothing but acknowledge that these things commonly fail because of poor design, but will do nothing about it... OR... they point the finger at me and question the quality of gas I have been using. Oh, and don't get me started on the brakes. I will NEVER buy another Nissan again.

BTW, I have a 2000 GXE with ~110K miles on it... and I have had issues ever since the car hit 38K miles.

17th Jul 2006, 15:21

Like everyone else. I have coil problems yet they just will not go away. I Have had them replace multiple times and about every 6-9 months the #1 coil goes out. I have had the MAS replaced and that fixed the problem for about 4 months and it has come back twice since. My Maxima had about 120K on it and no one has been able to tell me why it keeps happening. Some shops tell me its the injectors, the O2 sensor bad harness, but no real answers. Anyone have a fix for this???

2nd Aug 2006, 14:43

August 1, 2006

July 11, 2005 I had all six ignition coils replaced because the Dealer got a code PO300 and stated all coils would need replacing to correct the problem. The mileage was 77593. On August 1, 2006 the Dealer called me and said they had gotten a code PO300 on my 2000 Maxima with 91570 miles on the Car. He said all six of the ignition coils needs to be replaced. I agree there is a real problem with the Maxima Ignitions Coils.

3rd Aug 2006, 12:04

Hi All,

Is there another forum for Nissan Maxima 1999? Sorry I couldn’t find it so posting it here. Let me know if anybody knows that forum link.

I just bought 1999 Nissan Maxima 87k miles from a guy and with in 1 week its "service Engine soon" light came up. Then with in another week it started giving misfiring/knocking sound. I went to Nissan service center, Roseville, CA and was told there is misfiring on cylinder #6 and computer code is P0306. He recommended changing all the 6 coils at the tune of 1250$. And to replace just one he asked for 491$. Already I paid him 156$ just for diagnosis.

Yesterday I just opened car’s hood and was looking at engine and simply closed it. Now knocking is gone since then. Don't know it’s going to come back or not but it’s weird. Warning Light is still on.

Some people suggested to go to autozone and get it it checked for "free". Is it really free there? I will plan to have trip there for second opinion.

Few comments I read and was told that all we could replace these coils ourselves. I don't know if many people had tried that or not and how safe (In terms of not screwing anything else) it is.

Looks like guy who sold me got rid of its coil maintenance somehow and finally it came to me. Overall this is very annoying experience.

Just let me know any of the helpful comments.

~Vimal

reachvimalm@yahoo.com

12th Aug 2006, 17:21

I have read all the comments, and I too have the same issue and want to know how I can help to catalyze a recall by Nissan. Thanks.

17th Aug 2006, 14:12

Oh man... by the looks of my 2000 Maxima "service engine soon" light, it won't be good news. I'm having it checked again my self and I'm not very car-mechanic-savvy so I'm hoping I don't get ripped off. My local mechanic says they can diagnose for $97. My car is at 78k miles and is paid off so I hope the next 50k miles aren't like this.

17th Aug 2006, 18:05

I can't believe your going to let them charge that much to diagnose it. The highest price I have EVER paid is $60.

11th Sep 2006, 13:57

After reading tips here and around the web, I did go to AutoZone, and I can report happily that they did test the OBD for free. He wouldn't reset it just for asking, but I didn't offer any more since the results were O2 and Knock Sensor, and I wanted a capable mechanic to look at it also.

So far, the mechanic reset it (since I hadn't driven that extra car too much recently and light went on couple months ago after some dormant period), and asked me to drive it around for a day. If the light comes back on, then we can believe the results, he says, and do the work.

31st Oct 2006, 13:04

I have had my 2000 Maxima GLE for 3 years now. I love the car and it now has 140,000 miles on it, but no real problems until the last couple of months.

First, service engine light came on. I took it to the dealer and paid almost $500 to fix a problem with the fuel intake. After moving from VA to Indiana the light came on again. I took it to the local Nissan dealer here and he diagnosed the good ol' ignition coil problem. He's recommendig that I have all 6 coils and spark plugs replaced to the tune of $1100. No way!

Any advice on what options I have would be appreciated.