1995 Nissan Maxima GXE one spark plug wire no spark

[ecrumb]

I get no spark coming from one of my spark plug wires. It's the last one on the back, toward the transmission [the #5 plug wire (purple&white)]. I've isolated the problem to the wire coming out of the harness (purple&white). The coil module is fine. There's just no spark coming from that wire itself. Can someone tell me where to go from here? Don't consider anything beyond the wire that goes from the wire bundle to the spark plug coil module, because the problem is behind there. It could be that the wire itself has a break in it, but I can't deternmine that until I know where the wire harness terminates. I have a maintenance manual, but it doesn't show what the spark plug wire harness connects to, or where. Thank you for your support.

Update:> I found the wiring diagram for the spark plug wire harness, and it looks to me that there's no other component between the harness wires and the Engine Control Module (ECM). If this is the case and there's no short in the #5 plug wire, then the problem has to be the ECM itself. If there's anyone out there who can confirm this, it would be a big help to me. Holla back!!!!

Update:> Using my background in computer technology and previous experience with command electronics, I decided to take the ECU/ECM out and reheat the contact points on the internal board, where the cable adapter solders down to the board. Since I didn't know which one might be loose, I reheated all solder points lined up with the cable adapter on the board. It worked like a charm, So let the word go out. Sometimes you can repair you ECM/ECU, depending upon the problem you are having with it by reheating the solder points on the internal main board, but you must be careful and precise with your soldering. A special thanks goes out to our fellow forum member Nahkapohjola. You helped a lot.

[Nahkapohjola]

Originally Posted by ecrumb

...I have a maintenance manuel, but it doesn't show ....

...chilton/haynes comic book? Youre lucky: if it was showing those wirings, it woulb be plain confused & wrong...

The 6 spark/inj ctrl wires go to ECU. Follow the link(s) for pin detailed info http://www.cardomain.com/id/pohjola#links

For ECU location check http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/15 , (pin -info is for 3gen)

.

[ecrumb]

Originally Posted by Nahkapohjola

...chilton/haynes comic book? Youre lucky: if it was showing those wirings, it woulb be plain confused & wrong...

The 6 spark/inj ctrl wires go to ECU. Follow the link(s) for pin detailed info http://www.cardomain.com/id/pohjola#links

For ECU location check http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/15 , (pin -info is for 3gen)

.

Update:> I found the wiring diagram for the spark plug wire harness, and it looks to me that there's no other component between the harness wires and the Engine Control Module (ECM). If this is the case and there's no short in the #5 plug wire, then the problem has to be the ECM itself. If you can confirm this, it would be a big help to me. Holla back!!!!
P.S.> Do you know of a good price reasonable source to purchase a ECM/ECU from? Can the logic chip in the ECM/ECU be removed and replaced?

[Nahkapohjola]

Originally Posted by ecrumb

Update:> I found the wiring diagram for the spark plug wire harness, ...

ECU contains the driver circuit(s) for coilpacks. I have not opened the ECU box; typically one can trace the circuit to the driver chip/component(s) and replace... has to be 'nearest' component(s) to the connector. Its easy if one can get the replacement component (=chip has id).

First take ECU into hand, check ECU & harness connector surfaces with bright light and magn lens. Use electronic cleaner. See that pins really make contact... Check: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/14

ECU? Junkyard. The ECU's have serial numbers...
Note: List for all ECU's is in Nissan TSB NTB93-167.pdf,
TSB's see for http://maxima.theowensfamily.com/tsb

.

[ecrumb]

Originally Posted by Nahkapohjola

ECU contains the driver circuit(s) for coilpacks. I have not opened the ECU box; typically one can trace the circuit to the driver chip/component(s) and replace... has to be 'nearest' component(s) to the connector. Its easy if one can get the replacement component (=chip has id).

First take ECU into hand, check ECU & harness connector surfaces with bright light and magn lens. Use electronic cleaner. See that pins really make contact... Check: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/14

ECU? Junkyard. The ECU's have serial numbers...
Note: List for all ECU's is in Nissan TSB NTB93-167.pdf,
TSB's see for http://maxima.theowensfamily.com/tsb

.

Update:> Thanks for your help, but never mind. Using my background in computer technology and previous experience with command electronics, I decided to take the ECU/ECM out and reheat the contact points on the internal board, where the cable adapter solders down to the board. Since I didn't know which one might be loose, I reheated all solder points lined up with the cable adapter. It worked like a charm.

[Nahkapohjola]

Originally Posted by ecrumb

... I reheated all solder points lined up with the cable adapter...

I've heard of bad solder jobs on cruise etc. ctrl modules, this is first time I this on ECU. (Btw, the pins are in the schema.)

[johnlimcs]

Hi All, J&A Ultra Spark Plug Cable could help you solve some of your cable problem, it can be custom make and the performance of the spark plug cable is marvelous, it have a much better sparking intensity, much quite engine/smooth engine, since it have better sparking thus it will consume less petrol and give more power and torque. Take a look on the below:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkqwDnM3-mQ

[Nahkapohjola]

Originally Posted by johnlimcs

Hi All, J&A Ultra Spark Plug Cable could help you solve some of your cable problem, it can be custom make and the performance of the spark plug cable is marvelous, it have a much better sparking intensity, much quite engine/smooth engine, since it have better sparking thus it will consume less petrol and give more power and torque. Take a look on the below:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkqwDnM3-mQ

I quess any Ultra makes issues worse if u vehicle doesnt have a spark cable in the first place...

When theres a distributor with spark cabling =NO COILpacks, like 3gens, any real wire makes a difference. See what the carbon soot hose industry still sells http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507...maxima/page-12