Replacing Ignition Coils

[Capt Caveman]

Well, my 2001 Inifinti QX4 just had it's service engine light turn on. I took it to AutoZone for a scan and it came up with a P1320 code - http://www.infinitihelp.com/diy/obd_codes/p1320_infiniti.html

Took it to the dealership and they have diagnosed that 3 out of the 6 ignition coils have failed and that the other three are weak. If they replace the 3 failed ignition coils, they say that leaving the three weak ignition coils will still cause the service engine light to go off, not allowing my car to pass inspection which I need to do this month. So, I should replace all 6 ignition coils.

They want $1300 to replace all six ignition coils and spark plugs. Ignition cables are $135/each and labor is $390.

Looking onlline, I can get the coils for around $85 each for aftermarket and spark-plugs for $20 total and do it myself. But I will need to go back to the dealership or some other place to get them to reset the fail code.

I thought disconnecting the batter/power would reset the fail code itself. Wrong?

I was hoping to get another year out of the car without having to spend a lot of money. Trying to figure out what to do. Just trade it in(minus their internal cost to replace the coils themselves) or just suck it up and fix it.

Spend $550 to do it myself plus mechanic to reset computer?

Spend $1300 to have the dealership do it?

Trading it in unfixed for a new car this weekend?

Necro-post by a noobie. Thread Closed.

Zenmervolt - AnandTech Moderator

 

[jjmIII]

Took it to the dealership

Get more estimates. Try a local shop instead of the $tealership.

You can reset the code with any ODB II scanner. I bought mine on eBay for $50. It's a good tool to have.

 

[sontakke]

If you indeed replace the coils and the plugs, the car will reset the light on its own within few days. It is actually better NOT to reset the light by the scanner if your inspection is coming up. If you reset, all the monitors get reset and you start from the scratch. While the monitors are not ready and if you take the car for inspection, your will get rejected. You have to make sure all (most) monitors are complete.

But do buy a scanner; a decent one (live data capability and CAN protocol support) can be hand under $100.

Make sure you are putting the NGK/Denso Iridiums plugs about $7-$10 each at Amazon.

$1300 is highway robbery for that kind of job. I am assuming this is the Nissan VQ 3.0 engine. It is about 15 minute job if the intake manifold does not need to come off. I don't think it needs to for 2000-2001 models. The OEM coils can be had over internet for about $350.

- Vikas

 

[Capt Caveman]

Thanks for your comments!

Just called my local repair shop. He wants to take a look at the car first before giving me an estimate as he's not sure if the intake manifold needs to be replaced.

Searching online, it appears that that the VQ35DE engine does need to have the intake manifold removed.

 

[sontakke]

Did the dealer tell you which 3 coils are bad? If I am not mistaken, replacing the front is a cake walk. You could try that first and see if the misfire code goes away.

Take the picture and post it here.

- Vikas

 

[Vette73]

You can get the coils for a little over $50 each at rockauto.com You can also get Denso Plat plugs for $2.60 each

3 are real easy to get to and not sure of the 3.5 motor is like the maxima or not. If it is then the other coils are also not hard.

Also there are 2 types of coils. 1 and then 2-6. So make sure to get the right ones.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Did the dealer tell you which 3 coils are bad? If I am not mistaken, replacing the front is a cake walk. You could try that first and see if the misfire code goes away.

Take the picture and post it here.

- Vikas

Here's a pic of the engine compartment. From the pic, could all six be right on top and just need to take off he covers? I found oem ignition coils on Amazon for around $86.

 

[Vette73]

^

When the cover is off you can see 3 on the Pass, that is the easy side. The driver side I can;t tell from the pics. Could be easy or hard. Might need to remove the throttle body and not the whole intake to get to them. Not to hard IMO if you have some decent wrench exp.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Some more pics:

 

[Capt Caveman]

^

When the cover is off you can see 3 on the Pass, that is the easy side. The driver side I can;t tell from the pics. Could be easy or hard. Might need to remove the throttle body and not the whole intake to get to them. Not to hard IMO if you have some decent wrench exp.

If it wasn't 12F degrees out, I wouldn't hesitate to do it myself. I haven't done engine work before but have replaced starter motors and brakes in the past.

 

[Vette73]

Here ya go op...

http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/change-spark-plugs-infiniti-qx4.html

Good news is you don't have to remove the intake/TB to do the job.
Bad news is its still a pain in the ass

 

[Capt Caveman]

Here ya go op...

http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/change-spark-plugs-infiniti-qx4.html

Good news is you don't have to remove the intake/TB to do the job.
Bad news is its still a pain in the ass

Thanks! I'll see what my local repair shop charges and go from there.

 

[sontakke]

That looks like pain; my estimate would be 1.5 to 2.5 hours labor. Given that you have replaced starter motors, this should be an easier job.

 

[bruceb]

From that link I can see that job taking 2 - 3 hours especially if it is the first time doing it.

 

[CraigRT]

Looks like just as big of a job (which is not that bad) as changing the spark plugs and or coils on the FWD VQ35.

The intake manifold on the Maxima (my 2002 at least) has to be removed to get at a couple on the rear bank.

Really not a bad job either way tho, looks more intimidating than it really is.

 

[Viperoni]

Looks like just as big of a job (which is not that bad) as changing the spark plugs and or coils on the FWD VQ35.

The intake manifold on the Maxima (my 2002 at least) has to be removed to get at a couple on the rear bank.

Really not a bad job either way tho, looks more intimidating than it really is.

It does look like the TB gets in the way on the RWD VQ35, but it doesn't look like he'll have to take off the VIAS/upper IM plenum like the FWD VQ35's require.

I did that job twice this summer, what a fun time.


Also, $390 labour for coilpacks and a tuneup is rape. Coilpacks need to be removed anyways to do a tuneup as the engine is a coil-on-plug design.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Update, finally got an estimate from a local place that has performed brakework for me. They wanted even more than the dealership. $150/each for aftermarket coils.

Taking it to another place tomorrow.

 

[Vette73]

Just buy the coils from rockauto and ask how much to install them. Its not THAT hard.
Make sure to tell them they do not have to take the intake/throttle body off. Hell print off the link I sent ya.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I'm dropping off the car tomorrow and have this other place look at it. He's telling me if 3 coils were bad and 3 were failing, I would notice it(car starts and runs fine). So, he wants to look at it.

I told him about buying the parts(found a review that they allowed another customer to do it) and he mentioned that he won't warranty the work if they fail a month later but can do it if I want.

RockAuto carries four different brands:
United Ignition
Beck/Arnley
Standard Motor Parts
Airtex/Wells

They're all around $50-60/coil, except United Ignition 2-6 coils are only $23/each. I've never heard of any of those brands. Familiar with any of them?

 

[Vette73]

I'm dropping off the car tomorrow and have this other place look at it. He's telling me if 3 coils were bad and 3 were failing, I would notice it(car starts and runs fine). So, he wants to look at it.

I told him about buying the parts(found a review that they allowed another customer to do it) and he mentioned that he won't warranty the work if they fail a month later but can do it if I want.

RockAuto carries four different brands:
United Ignition
Beck/Arnley
Standard Motor Parts
Airtex/Wells

They're all around $50-60/coil, except United Ignition 2-6 coils are only $23/each. I've never heard of any of those brands. Familiar with any of them?

Most, all?, are probable made in the same factory. I have used standard, airtex/wells, and beck. Not sure about united but maybe. Many even have the factory type imprints on them.

Never had issue with any. I add the cheapest one to the cart and check shipping then do the same with the next price. Which ever one is the cheapest shipped I get it.

Also don't forget the 5% coupon they usually have. fatwallet has a thread with updates.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Make sure you are putting the NGK/Denso Iridiums plugs about $7-$10 each at Amazon.
- Vikas

Not every car needs NGK/Iridiums ...

I'd get other quotes, if not, do it yourself? Coilpacks on my old Jetta, and A4 were cake.

Now if they're doing the wireing harness, i'd consider having them doing it.

 

[Zivic]

Well, my 2001 Inifinti QX4 just had it's service engine light turn on. I took it to AutoZone for a scan and it came up with a P1320 code - http://www.infinitihelp.com/diy/obd_codes/p1320_infiniti.html

Took it to the dealership and they have diagnosed that 3 out of the 6 ignition coils have failed and that the other three are weak. If they replace the 3 failed ignition coils, they say that leaving the three weak ignition coils will still cause the service engine light to go off, not allowing my car to pass inspection which I need to do this month. So, I should replace all 6 ignition coils.

They want $1300 to replace all six ignition coils and spark plugs. Ignition cables are $135/each and labor is $390.

Looking onlline, I can get the coils for around $85 each for aftermarket and spark-plugs for $20 total and do it myself. But I will need to go back to the dealership or some other place to get them to reset the fail code.

I thought disconnecting the batter/power would reset the fail code itself. Wrong?

I was hoping to get another year out of the car without having to spend a lot of money. Trying to figure out what to do. Just trade it in(minus their internal cost to replace the coils themselves) or just suck it up and fix it.

Spend $550 to do it myself plus mechanic to reset computer?

Spend $1300 to have the dealership do it?

Trading it in unfixed for a new car this weekend?

buy the parts and do it yourself... assuming you at least have the tools. This motor is roughly the same as what I have in my Z.... not hard to get at the coil packs. the manifold is different, but shouldn't be hard to remove. Likely has a single gasket that is metal and won't likely need to be replaced. I would think it would take you less than an hr to get the manifold off, another hour to replace the plugs and coils, and another hr to button things up. This is definitely a job a person can do on their own. If the light doesn't go off, just go back to autozone and have them clear it.

I would recommend getting the OEM plugs. I know on my Z, and my Xterra, they were NGK iridium and ran about 7 bucks a shot.

 

[Capt Caveman]

buy the parts and do it yourself... assuming you at least have the tools. This motor is roughly the same as what I have in my Z.... not hard to get at the coil packs. the manifold is different, but shouldn't be hard to remove. Likely has a single gasket that is metal and won't likely need to be replaced. I would think it would take you less than an hr to get the manifold off, another hour to replace the plugs and coils, and another hr to button things up. This is definitely a job a person can do on their own. If the light doesn't go off, just go back to autozone and have them clear it.

I would recommend getting the OEM plugs. I know on my Z, and my Xterra, they were NGK iridium and ran about 7 bucks a shot.

If it was the summer, I probably would do it myself but its currently 14F outside right now.

 

[Zivic]

If it was the summer, I probably would do it myself but its currently 14F outside right now.

where are you located?

 

[Capt Caveman]

where are you located?

Boston. Dropped it off at another place today. Gave them a print-out from Infiniti on the computer code and the installation print-out that Marlin provided(Thanks!). If the ignition coils need to be replaced, they think it will take 1.5-2 hrs to replace.