1999 Nissan Maxima: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Jun 17, 2015 · Engine · 130,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 nissan maxima. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the crank shaft position sensor, the knock sensor and the coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to another mechanic, who diagnosed that the knock sensor, solenoid control and the crank shaft position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000. Ma 08/13/15 updated 10/25/2017

Filed Aug 2, 2010 · Engine · 144,000 miles · CO

1999 nissan maxima. Service engine soon light displayed at approximately 140k miles. Computer diagnostics indicated replacement of knock sensor. Replaced by independent nissan mechanic. Light reappeared 1 week later. Mechanic checked electrical harness and found it to be okay. Due to known issues with maxima ignition coils all 6 were replaced by same independent nissan mechanic. Service engine light came on while driving away from mechanic. Diagnostics was vague, general message. Took vehicle to nissan dealership. Dealer indicated that using after market coils was the problem but could not promise that using official nissan parts would resolve the problem. Contacted nissan national office, but the corporate office refuses to take ownership of the problem. The customer representative indicated there was a known issue with interference with the coils but nissan would not replace the coils. Replacing parts and diagnostics from 3 mechanics in addition to the nissan dealership cost over $2000.00. At present, the service engine light remains on with the vague code and nissan has no idea of how to resolve the problem.

Filed Jun 23, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 61,000 miles · CA

1999 nissan maxima, ignition coil failure and service engine soon light on. Car looses pickup, rough idling and knocking.

Filed Mar 4, 2009 · Engine · OH

I purchased a 1999 nissan maxima gle 4 door and the "service engine soon" light has been on. I took the car to a local auto parts store and had a "cold pull" performed and was informed that the spark plug on cylinder 5 was "triggering" the knock sensor resulting in the "service engine soon" light to be on. I went on the internet for more info about the knock sensor and the spark plugs for this car and seen more comments from other owners with the same issue for the same car. Comments stating that they have replaced the spark plugs and the coils and it was only a temporary fix for the recurring issue. This is the first car I have owned and the previous owner of the car ensured that the maintenance of the car was up-to-date. For this car to be ten years old it is in excellent condition, (kbb value $4500), aside from the spark plug and knock sensor issue. Will there be a recall to service the thousands of 1999 nissan maxima's with this issue? I can't afford to pay anywhere from $800 - $1,000 to have all of the coils replaced as well as the spark plugs, only for it to be a temporary resolution to the recurring issue. I am on a fixed income (ss) and after paying for medical expenses, car insurance, living costs, I cannot afford to pay for a temporary resolution. Please recall the 1999 nissan maxima's, this is a common issue with this year and model car.

Filed Aug 31, 2008 · Electrical · 88,000 miles · SC

While driving my car, it started to miss, sputter, run bad, vibrate and almost turn off. The check engine light came on and after having the codes read (p1320) and researching dtc p1320 and/or spark knock (detonation) due to ignition coil (s). I find out that this is a very common problem with several years of maximas. I also found out that there are newer coils with a gray dot, that is to be used to replace the older defective ones. Not only are the bad ones recommended for replacement, but all 6 are recommended for replacement. Why is this? I believe is was because of a known defect in the parts. I have already replaced several of these coils and it don't take long before the check engine light is back on, and the car is once again misfiring and getting bad gas mileage because of code p1320, another bad coil. Nissan should recall these cars and fix this continuously ongoing problem . This misfiring on interstates and busy roads at high speeds can be very dangerous, because it slows the car down all of a sudden and could result in a rear end crash. This misfiring also results in fuel not being burned in the cylinder and is wasted.

Filed Aug 27, 2008 · Electrical, Fuel system · 142,000 miles · OH

I have a 1999 nissan maxima, 5-spd, with 142k miles. Generally the car is a treat to drive and I have had no significant problems to date with its operation. However, upon traveling westward, from va along I-70 in oh, the car simply cut out from its current speed and stopped accelerating and began to hesitate and buck. It was as though the ignition coils briefly stopped working or the fuel filter suddenly became clogged with paraffin. Since my wife and I were traveling at freeway speeds, this was a bit disconcerting. I immediately moved the vehicle over to the far right lane and depressed the gas pedal for more fuel. That action worked briefly, but then the car bucked repeatedly again. We were able to manage the remaining 80 miles toward home thereafter. I feel that either the ignition coils are malfunctioning w/o warning, or that some other mechanism of fuel feed system is failing also w/o warning. The car does not knock or ping, maybe the gasoline or fuel injectors are fouling (however, I use 87 ron grade gasoline, and often add octane boosters, I also clean the fuel injectors by running chevron'stechron about every 3500 miles). This may signify a severe problem lurking; I hope you consider issuing a recall for the 1999 maxima.

Filed Nov 11, 2007 · Electrical · 70,000 miles · VA

Mil light illuminated. Knock and spark failure trouble codes. Erratic idle and power surge at or about 2000 RPM. In some cases the idle has been erratic enough for the engine to stall. The problem is not consistent and is temperature dependent. Cold mornings (less than 50 degrees f) create the most problems. Sudden loss of power on acceleration has proven dangerous. Replaced ignition coil packs, six per car.

Filed Jan 16, 2007 · Engine · 125,000 miles · NY

Tl* - the contact drove his 1999 nissan maxima se (130000) to the inspection station. The inspector stated that the contact did not pass inspection due to egr system and knocking sensor failure. The vehicles failure mileage was 125000 and the current mileage is 130000.

Filed Dec 13, 2006 · Engine · CO

Car still has check engine light on after replacing ignition coils and knock sensor.

Filed Sep 9, 2006 · Electrical · 152,000 miles · CA

1999 nissan maxima has been idling rough, and check engine light on, took to mechanic for diagnostic. Needs one ignition coil and knock sensor replaced. From research this is an apparent common problem in this car.

Filed Nov 22, 2004 · Suspension · 82,000 miles · SC

There was a knocking noise coming from the front coil springs. Please provide more information.

Filed Dec 3, 2003 · Electrical · 50,200 miles · PA

I have a 99 nissan maxima and the service engine light came on this week. The local garage did a diagnostic test and found codes for knock sensor and ignition signal. The local garage was puzzled because they've never seen a knock sensor fail before. Called 2 local nissan dealers and both say it's ignition coils (and the knock sensor was ok) and unless the diagnostic says which one went bad I'd have to replace them all for $600 to $800 because my car is out of warranty. It looks like this is a common problem and wonder what it would take for a recall?