Have a dtcp1320 ignition signal primary circuit.

Tiny
BOXCOVER
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 NISSAN MAXIMA
  • 187,421 MILES
Have a dtcp1320 ignition signal primary circuit fault. What do I look for, and what is a eccs relay/where is it located. Car was running fine day before yesterday even with check light on, now will not start
Monday, October 29th, 2012 AT 8:17 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
DTC P1320 - IGNITION SIGNAL

Diagnostic Aid

If will start and idle, go to step 4). If engine will not start, go to next step.

1. Check Ground Circuit - Turn ignition off. Disconnect power transistor harness connector. See Fig. 26. Using an ohmmeter, check continuity between power transistor harness connector terminal "h" (Black wire) and ground. See Fig. 27. If no continuity exists, repair open in Black wire. If continuity exists, disconnect ignition coil harness connector, check continuity between power transistor harness connector terminal "i" and ignition coil harness connector terminal "b" (Green wire). If no continuity exists, repair open in Green wire. If continuity exists, go to next step.

2. Check Power Supply - Turn ignition on. Disconnect ignition coil. See Fig. 28. Harness connector. Using a voltmeter, measure voltage between ignition coil harness connector terminal "a" (Black/Red wire) and ground. See Fig. 29. If battery voltage does not exist, repair fault in Black/Red wire as required. If battery voltage exists, go to next step.

3. Check Power Transistor Input Signal Circuit - Turn ignition off. Disconnect ECM harness connector. See Fig. 1. Using an ohmmeter, check for continuity between ECM harness con nector terminal No. 1 and power transistor harness connector terminal "g" (White wire). See Fig. 3 and Fig. 26. If no continuity exists, repair open in White wire as required. If continuity exists, go to step 6).

4. Check Input Signal Circuit - Turn ignition off. Disconnect ignition coil harness connector. See Fig. 28. Strip tape covering resistor. Disconnect ECM harness connector. See Fig. 1. Using an ohmmeter, check continuity between resistor harness connector Green wire terminal and ignition coil harness connector Green wire terminal. If no continuity exists, repair open in Green wire. If continuity exists, go to next step.

5. Check continuity between resistor harness connector Yellow/Red wire terminal and ECM harness connector terminal No. 2 (Yellow/Red wire). See Fig. 3. If no continuity exists, repair open in Yellow/Red wire. If continuity exists, go to next step.

6. Check Ignition Coil - Disconnect ignition coil harness connector. Using an ohmmeter, check resistance between primary connector terminals. Resistance should be about 1.0 ohm at 68°F (20°C). Check resistance between ignition coil secondary tower and Black/Red wire (positive) terminal of coil primary connector. Resistance should be about 10,000 ohms at 68°F (20°C). If resistance is as specified, go to next step. If either resistance is not as specified, replace ignition coil and retest system.

7. Check Power Transistor - Disconnect power transistor harness connector. Check for continuity between power transistor terminals "b" and "c". If continuity is present, go to next step. If continuity is not present, replace power transistor and retest system.

8. Check Resistor - Disconnect resistor harness connector. Measure resistance across resistor terminals. Resistance should be 2200 ohms at 77°F (25°C). If resistance is correct, go to next step. If resistance is not correct, replace resistor and retest system.
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Tuesday, October 30th, 2012 AT 4:24 PM
Tiny
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I noticed that all these illustrations refer to nissan altama I have a maxima with 3.0 is the wiring the same.
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Wednesday, December 19th, 2012 AT 9:11 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
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Yes there are similar but from feedback and experience, the most likely cause are bad ignition coils.
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Thursday, December 20th, 2012 AT 11:13 AM
Tiny
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You say the wiring is similar but that's not the same. All six coils have been replaced along with spark plugs, also front and rear crankshaft sensors, ignition switch, fuel filter. Had a code for knock sensor so replaced it also. Camshaft sensor checked good with ohm meter. Can put check light out when running and will not come back on until shut off and restarted. My maxima does not have a power transistor that looks anything like the picture you sent. You say check resistor where is it located?What is next step after no. 8. Thank you for answering
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Thursday, December 20th, 2012 AT 9:07 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
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Were the coils Nissan OEM, if not, that could be your problem. Non OEM coils tends to give this problem as well.

Whatever steps available have been provided and if they did not solve your problem, you need to go through them one more time to see if tyhere is anything that was missed out.
These are the procedures from the Maxima trouble shooting manual.

DTC P1320 - IGNITION SIGNAL

1. Check Power Supply
Turn ignition off. Disconnect condenser and each ignition coil harness connector. Turn ignition on. Using a voltmeter, measure voltage between each ignition coil harness connector terminal No. 1 (Red wire) and ground. Also, measure voltage between condenser harness connector No. 1 (Red wire) and ground. If battery voltage does not exist, repair fault in Red wire. If battery voltage exists, go to next step.

2. Check Ground Circuit
Using an ohmmeter, for continuity between each ignition coil harness connector terminal No. 2 (Black wire) and ground. If continuity exists, go to next step. If continuity does not exist, check for fault in circuit and repair as necessary.

3. Check Output Signal Circuit
Turn ignition off. Disconnect ECM harness connector and each ignition coil harness connector. Verify harness continuity between ignition coil connector terminal No. 3 and ECM terminals No. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9. If continuity is present, go to next step. If continuity is not present, repair harness or connectors as necessary.

4. Check Ignition Coil
With connector removed from ignition coil, measure resistance between terminals No. 1 (Red wire) and 2 (Black wire). If zero ohms exist, replace ignition coil. If other than zero ohms exist, go to next step.

5. Check Condenser
With connector removed from condenser, measure resistance between terminals. If less than one megohm exists, replace condenser. If one megohm or more exist, disconnect and inspect harness connectors in circuit. Check ECM connector terminals for corrosion or damage. Repair if necessary and retest system.
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Thursday, December 20th, 2012 AT 11:18 PM
Tiny
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Thank you I will give this a try and see what happens. And no my coils were not oem. They came from a parts store
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Friday, December 21st, 2012 AT 12:12 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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I know of many cases whereby non OEM coils did not solve the problem, only OEM is recommended my many people with experience regarding this problem.
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Friday, December 21st, 2012 AT 1:31 PM

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