97 Maxima Se (PCM- CODE 0606) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT

Currently stationed overseas in the UK,I have a 97 Maxima "SE" with 78kmi. When I started the car it began to run very rough (knocking, shaking). Faint scent of fuel. Eventually the check engine light came on. The rpm's started to drop (down to 600 rpm's vice 900-1k rpms). Decided to check trouble codes, I turned the mode selector switch on the side of the PCM to get the trouble codes. It displayed code 0606 which in the Haynes Repair manual states "Cylinder no.3 misfire detected". Note: Replaced oem Spark plugs with Bosch Platinum in June.
Conducted an oil, filter, air filter changed 2 weeks go. Please note that
I was using Castro synethic blend oil prior to recent oil change. Last
oil change I used Castro 5W30 due to synethic oil was not in stock and
none was expected to arrived. Any help or Guidance would be greatly
appreciated. Thanks

sounds like a faulty ignition coil to me.

Bad coil. Lift it out of the hole partially while its running and listen for a good zap of a spark on that cylinder. If no change in rpm or no spark heard, most likely a dud coil. But be careful you don't pull it all the way out if its running...you'll find out. Also transient voltage from a coil if working can induce voltage into a wiring harness close by if you have it pulled out too far...a bad thing for the the ECU. Just be careful and pull the coil out about an inch and listen for the zap, zap. Goodluck.

Thanks for the reply. Will check out the coil this weekend (have not had time). Is this a common problem???.

This morning I had planned on driving to the auto hobby shop to check for the "zap" mentioned by jmd102. To my susprised {Problem #2} the Max would not %*!#@$! start. The engine will not turnover. I suspect it's the starter because it WHINES (for lack of a better word). Could it be something else??
Problem #1
I checked the codes again and it remains the same 0606. Since the Max wouldn't start I guess I could use a multimeter voltage/ohms to see if the coil connectors are bad. Do anyone know which pins I should check?? It's raining cats and dogs so I'm seeking answers.
Is there a good website I can order replacement parts from? Thanks

hey I have good news !

Checking the coils is really simple, all you need is an ohmmeter (or your multimeter set in ohms) and have the coil out.

Each coil has 3 pins oriented (3 2 1) from the top of the coil (3) to the boot (insert the spark plug (1)).
Now get you ohmmeter probes and put the negative lead on pin (2) middle one and the positive lead on pin (1) and you should get a big number. If you reverse the probe leads the reading should be close too but not zero ohms.

If you need a coil, I happen to have some in great condition. Just contact me at: [email protected] with an offer.

A buddy of mine has a Kia (dont ask why) and had t he same problem with the starter, though, for him it would occasionally try to turn over, then start to whine, like something spinning really bloody fast. Turned out the teeth on a gear on the starter had snubbed off and wouldnt catch to turn the engine over.

That might be where to look for your starter problem.



As for the trick for testing the ignition coil, are the steps listed to test for a good coil or a bad one?

it's for a good coil, if you don't get the infinity and zero readings respectively, then the coil is bad.