0201: Ignition Signal Circuit, car shakes, what cyclinder is it?
11-22-2005, 11:49 AM
#1
0201: Ignition Signal Circuit, car shakes, what cyclinder is it?
So in the past few weeks, i had been getting the wicked cool check engine light. Checked it, and it would sya No failure detected. However i have been getting those mysterious car shakes on and off while driving, even when car had JUST been started.
Recently, the CEL came on with 0201, Ignition Signal Circuit. Now i did some research and saw that alot of 1999 maxima's have this problem. I went to go get it checked out today at my local mechanic. It doesnt say which cyclinder is messed up. I dont want to replace all 6, it would cost more than 600 bucks!
When i checked the ECU, i resetted it, but ON MY WAY to the mechanic, the light came on again, and the car started doing its thing around 40mph (struggling and just not driving right). I pulled over, shut it off, and started it back up again, it started to work back to normal after that.
My next goal is next time the light comes on, go to the nissan dealership. Ive heard that they can tell what cyclinder is it. I wont have them replace it though.
Has anyone else had this problem? You think i should wait until it comes on again and then go to the dealership?
Any input would be great! btw..is it safe to even drive the car??
Recently, the CEL came on with 0201, Ignition Signal Circuit. Now i did some research and saw that alot of 1999 maxima's have this problem. I went to go get it checked out today at my local mechanic. It doesnt say which cyclinder is messed up. I dont want to replace all 6, it would cost more than 600 bucks!
When i checked the ECU, i resetted it, but ON MY WAY to the mechanic, the light came on again, and the car started doing its thing around 40mph (struggling and just not driving right). I pulled over, shut it off, and started it back up again, it started to work back to normal after that.
My next goal is next time the light comes on, go to the nissan dealership. Ive heard that they can tell what cyclinder is it. I wont have them replace it though.
Has anyone else had this problem? You think i should wait until it comes on again and then go to the dealership?
Any input would be great! btw..is it safe to even drive the car??
11-22-2005, 11:56 AM
#2
just test each coil pack with a multimeter to find the bad one.
or you could, start the car, and unplug one coil pack at a time until your find the one that doesnt cause a change in idle/engine sound, there is your bad coil pack.
or you could, start the car, and unplug one coil pack at a time until your find the one that doesnt cause a change in idle/engine sound, there is your bad coil pack.
11-22-2005, 12:00 PM
#3
Unfortunately the 99 model year is prone to coil pack failures (not one coil, but all 6). Your best bet is to replace all 6. You can do the replacement yourself and buy brand new coils for about 350.
If you want to go the used route, you can buy 6 working coils for 120-150 in the 4th Gen classifieds forum.
If you plan to keep the car, my suggestion would be to replace all 6 coils. You may find the single bad coil now (using the methods outlined by MDeezy), but soon enough another coil will fail or misbehave and you're just postponing the inevitable.
If you want to go the used route, you can buy 6 working coils for 120-150 in the 4th Gen classifieds forum.
If you plan to keep the car, my suggestion would be to replace all 6 coils. You may find the single bad coil now (using the methods outlined by MDeezy), but soon enough another coil will fail or misbehave and you're just postponing the inevitable.
11-22-2005, 04:04 PM
#4
Newbie - Just Registered
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 8
I agree with changing all six. I listen to my mechanic and changed only the two that he said were bad and now I'm having to replace the others. Funny thing though. My car will run like a sewing machine sometimes, then it will start to shake like a quake. Then it will start running smoothly again. So until I replace the other coils I won't know if this was my only problem. Very frustrating to say the least.
11-22-2005, 04:11 PM
#5
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 26
I'm having the exact same problem. I was getting the 0201 and nothing specific on which cyl it was... Finally after a week of driving I checked codes again and got cyl#2 to come up. I cleaned the contacts and it did help for a while, but eventually I started getting the 0201 again. It still won't come up with what cyl again, so I'm thinking of just replacing the coils myself. My question is which coils should I get? I've heard the mitsu ones don't go out like the hashins do... but should I order from the dealer and pay 500? or auto parts store and get the BW mitsu type? or even the hashins? Sorry for posting in here, but I figured it'd be something you'd want the answer to as well.
11-22-2005, 04:35 PM
#6
Good info everybody. I dunno if i should get all six replaced. Thats alot of money. Maybe ill wait until the others go down the drain.
Should i go to the dealer when I get my CEL? or should i read the codes myself and then wait and see which cyclinder is messed up. Would they dealership be able to tell me what cyclinder it is?
Should i go to the dealer when I get my CEL? or should i read the codes myself and then wait and see which cyclinder is messed up. Would they dealership be able to tell me what cyclinder it is?
11-22-2005, 05:50 PM
#8
The dealer can't tell you anything that you can't figure out yourself by pulling the codes (read the ECU sticky).
Often with these coilpack failures the codes won't tell you exactly which cylinder. The only way to find out is to ohm out each coil or pull each coil one at a time - as MDeezy suggested. You can get all 6 coils used (but working) for $150. A dealer will charge you close to 100 bucks just to read the codes...so you have it all laid out in front of you - it's up to you.
Often with these coilpack failures the codes won't tell you exactly which cylinder. The only way to find out is to ohm out each coil or pull each coil one at a time - as MDeezy suggested. You can get all 6 coils used (but working) for $150. A dealer will charge you close to 100 bucks just to read the codes...so you have it all laid out in front of you - it's up to you.
11-22-2005, 06:42 PM
#10
Originally Posted by njmaxseltd
Word does not exist in the english language. 
Your 99 is prone to coil pack failures, your better off replacing all of them.
Your 99 is prone to coil pack failures, your better off replacing all of them.
11-23-2005, 09:40 AM
#13
Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 40
I am getting the 0201 code with a 0608 - No. 1 cylinder misfire.
Is it relly recommended that I replace all 6 coils? Should I buy used or new? I can get a used coil for $10, should I go with that?
MOST IMPORANT: HOW DO I REPLACE IT MYSELF? are there instructions anywhere?
Is it relly recommended that I replace all 6 coils? Should I buy used or new? I can get a used coil for $10, should I go with that?
MOST IMPORANT: HOW DO I REPLACE IT MYSELF? are there instructions anywhere?
11-23-2005, 10:00 AM
#14
Originally Posted by 99MAXSE-L
Sorry fellas. Preaching doesnt do anything until it happens to them.
11-23-2005, 10:00 AM
#15
Originally Posted by Endlesswave
I am getting the 0201 code with a 0608 - No. 1 cylinder misfire.
Is it relly recommended that I replace all 6 coils? Should I buy used or new? I can get a used coil for $10, should I go with that?
MOST IMPORANT: HOW DO I REPLACE IT MYSELF? are there instructions anywhere?
Is it relly recommended that I replace all 6 coils? Should I buy used or new? I can get a used coil for $10, should I go with that?
MOST IMPORANT: HOW DO I REPLACE IT MYSELF? are there instructions anywhere?
11-23-2005, 01:56 PM
#16
By coming to maxima.org with my problems, i gain info on what to do and what not to do and what my best deal is. I LEARN from other ppls experiences and then choose what the best option for me to do is.
I AGREE with endlesswave, how do you replace them myself. There must be an how to.
njmodi, i REALLY do appreciate your help and advice.
I AGREE with endlesswave, how do you replace them myself. There must be an how to.
njmodi, i REALLY do appreciate your help and advice.
11-23-2005, 02:00 PM
#17
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 26
It isn't hard to replace them... undo the connector and two screws and pull it out. If you've ever changed your spark plugs you're in business. If you have NOT changed them, get a haynes or something.
I'm still wanting to know what brand is the best? Tell me so I can go buy them!
I'm still wanting to know what brand is the best? Tell me so I can go buy them!
11-23-2005, 04:33 PM
#18
there's a link in the stickies... there are no tricks. it's straight forward...
http://www.vqpower.com/v2/modules.ph...howpage&pid=33
http://www.vqpower.com/v2/modules.ph...howpage&pid=33
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