Error P1320 on Nissan: why the check light is on, how to fix it yourself and when to go to service

Owners Nissan Qashqai, X-Trail, Juke and other models with gasoline engines HR16DE, MR20DE or QR25DE sooner or later you encounter an error P1320 - one of the most common problems in the ignition system. This code indicates malfunction in the ignition coil circuit, but its causes can vary from banal oxidation of contacts to serious damage to the ECU. In 80% of cases, the error is accompanied by engine tripping, loss of power and increased fuel consumption.

Unlike other fault codes, P1320 appears often spontaneously - after washing the engine compartment, replacing spark plugs, or even after refueling with low-quality gasoline. Many drivers ignore it for months, attributing the symptoms to an “electronics glitch,” but such delay can result in burnout of coils, damage to the catalyst or failure of lambda probes. In this article, we will look at how to accurately diagnose the problem, which parts to check first, and when a visit to the service center is indispensable.

What does error P1320 mean on Nissan: code decoding

Code P1320 in the diagnostic system Nissan stands for «Ignition Signal Primary» - the problem is in the primary ignition circuit. Unlike the general code P0300 (misfire), this signal indicates a specific malfunction: The engine ECU detects an abnormal signal from one or more ignition coils. Depending on the model and year of manufacture, the error may be duplicated by other codes:

• 🔧 P0301-P0304 - misfire in a specific cylinder (often accompanied by P1320).
• ⚡ P1336 - malfunction of the coil control circuit (occurs on Nissan with Direct Ignition).
• 🔥 P0351-P0354 - open or short circuit in the coil circuit (indicates physical damage).

In practice P1320 most often occurs due to:

1. Problems with ignition coils (wear, cracks, internal breaks).
2. Faulty spark plugs or high-voltage wires (on older models Nissan with distributor).
3. Oxidation of contacts in the connectors of the coils or ECU.
4. Breakdowns in wiring insulation (especially after unqualified repairs).

Symptoms of error P1320: how the malfunction manifests itself

Error P1320 rarely appears “alone” - it is usually accompanied by noticeable changes in engine operation. Here are the key signs that should alert you:

Symptom	Reason	Danger level
Check Engine light is on	The ECU detects an anomaly in the ignition circuit	⚠️ Medium (requires diagnostics)
The engine "troits" at idle	Misfire in one or more cylinders	❌ High (risk of catalyst damage)
Difficulties during acceleration, loss of power	Unstable spark, improper fuel combustion	⚠️ Average
Increased fuel consumption (+1–3 l/100 km)	The ECU compensates for misses by enriching the mixture	⚠️ Average
Vibrations in the body, especially at low speeds	Uneven cylinder operation	❌ High (load on engine mounts)

The “triple” symptom is especially dangerous in Nissan with turbocharged engines (For example, Juke 1.6 DIG-T). In such cases, an unstable spark may result in detonation and damage to the piston group. If the error P1320 accompanied by popping sounds in the exhaust system or white smoke from the muffler, this is a signal about critical wear of coils or breakdown of insulation of high-voltage wires.

⚠️ Attention: If after the appearance P1320 the engine starts to “shoot” at the manifold or muffler, stop the car immediately. This is a sign back flash — the fuel mixture ignites not in the cylinder, but in the intake tract, which can damage the mass air flow sensor (MAF) or valves.

Causes of error P1320: what breaks most often

According to statistics from service centers, in 65% of cases the culprit is P1320 become ignition coils, another 20% have problems with wiring or connectors. The remaining 15% is due to ECU malfunctions, spark plugs and mechanical damage. Let's look at each reason in detail.

1. Faulty ignition coils

On most modern Nissan (For example, Qashqai J11 or X-Trail T32) are installed custom ignition coils (one per cylinder). Their resource is 80–120 thousand km, but in practice they fail earlier due to:

• 🔥 Overheating (especially on engines HR16DE, where the coils are located close to the outlet).
• 💧 Moisture ingress (after washing or driving through puddles).
• 🔌 Oxidation of contacts in the power connector.
• 🛠️ Mechanical damage when replacing spark plugs (case cracks).

You can check the coils with a multimeter:

1. Снять катушку с цилиндра.
2. Замерить сопротивление первичной обмотки (между контактами 1 и 3) — должно быть ~0.5–1.0 Ом.
3. Замерить сопротивление вторичной обмотки (между центральным выводом и контактом 3) — должно быть ~5–15 кОм.
4. Если значения выходят за пределы, катушка неисправна.

2. Problems with wiring and connectors

Oxidized or damaged contacts in the coil circuit are the second most common cause. P1320. Connectors on Nissan Note And Micrawhere wires often rub against the valve cover. You can check the wiring visually and using a multimeter:

• 🔍 Inspect the connectors on the coils and ECU for green plaque (oxidation) or reflow.
• 📶 Ring the wires from the ECU to the coils (resistance should be close to 0 Ohm).
• 🔌 Check the “mass” of the coils (often rots on the body next to the engine).

3. Faulty spark plugs

Worn or unsuitable spark plugs can cause P1320 due to:

• 🔥 Increased clearance (more than 1.1 mm on motors HR16DE/MR20DE).
• 💥 Insulator breakdown (visible by the black tracks on the ceramics).
• 🛢️ Oil soot (indicates problems with valve stem seals).

On Nissan Almera N16 And Primera P12 with the system DIS (Distributorless Ignition System) error P1320 often appears after replacing spark plugs with non-original ones. For example, using candles with platinum tip instead of iridium can cause malfunctions in the coils.

4. Other reasons

Less often P1320 arises due to:

• 🔧 Faulty ECU (reflashing or replacing the unit).
• ⚡ Battery problems (low voltage → coil malfunctions).
• 🛢️ Bad fuel (detonation damages the coils).

How to distinguish a faulty coil from problems with a spark plug?

If the engine operation does not change when the connector is disconnected from the coil, the coil is faulty. If the engine starts to “trouble” more strongly, the problem is in the spark plug or high-voltage wire.

Diagnosing error P1320: step-by-step instructions

To pinpoint the cause P1320, follow this algorithm. To work you will need:

• 🔧 Multimeter (to check resistance).
• 🔍 Diagnostic scanner (ELM327 or Consult III+ for Nissan).
• 🛠️ Set of socket wrenches (for removing coils).

Step 1: Read Errors

Connect the diagnostic scanner and write down all fault codes. Pay special attention to:

• P030X (missing cylinder X) - will indicate which coil to check first.
• P035X (open circuit of coil X) - confirms that the coil is faulty.
• P0171/P0174 (lean mixture) - may indicate an insulation breakdown.

Step 2: Visual Inspection

Remove the decorative engine cover and inspect:

• 🔥 Ignition coils - cracks, melting, traces of breakdown.
• 🔌 Connectors — oxidation, planting density.
• ⚡ High voltage wires (if any) - microcracks, darkening.

Step 3: Testing the Coils with a Multimeter

The winding resistance must correspond to the following values:

Coil model	Primary Winding (Ohm)	Secondary winding (kOhm)
Hitachi (original for Qashqai J10)	0.6–0.9	8–12
Denso (for X-Trail T31)	0.4–0.7	6–10
Bosch (analogue for Juke)	0.5–0.8	7–11

Step 4: Check Wiring

Disconnect the connector from the coil and check:

• Supply voltage (12 V between pins 1 and 3 with ignition on).
• Signal from ECU (impulses on pin 2 when cranking with starter).
• Mass resistance (should be <0.5 ohm).

Step 5: Permutation Test

If you suspect a particular coil, swap it with a known good one. If the error P1320 “moves” to another cylinder - the coil is faulty.

⚠️ Attention: On Nissan with Direct Ignition (For example, 370Z or GT-R) you cannot check the coils “for a spark” by bringing the spark plug to ground. This may damage the ECU!

How to fix error P1320: repair or replace?

The repair method depends on the cause of the problem. In most cases, the problem is solved by replacing parts, but sometimes simple manipulations help.

1. Replacing ignition coils

If the diagnostics showed a coil malfunction, it needs to be replaced. Original coils for Nissan cost from 3,000 to 8,000 rub. per piece (depending on model). Analogues (Denso, Bosch, NGK) will cost 1,500–4,000 rub.. When replacing:

• 🔧 Use a torque wrench (tightening torque - 20–25 Nm).
• 🧴Apply dielectric grease to the connector contacts.
• 🔌 Check the integrity of the O-rings (if any).

2. Cleaning contacts

If the problem is oxidized connectors:

1. Disconnect the connector from the coil and the ECU.
2. Clean your contacts special liquid (For example, Contact Cleaner).
3. Apply conductive lubricant (For example, Liqui Moly Kontaktreiniger).

3. Replacing spark plugs

On Nissan It is recommended to use candles with the following parameters:

• 🔥 Gap: 0.8–1.1 mm (for HR16DE/MR20DE).
• 💎 Electrode material: iridium or platinum (for example, NGK IFR6A11 or Denso IK16).
• 🔧 Tightening torque: 20–25 Nm.

4. Wiring repair

If an open or short is detected:

• 🔧 Replace the damaged section of the wire (use heat shrink tubing).
• 🔌 Check the integrity of the “ground” (it often rots under the intake manifold).

5. ECU firmware

In rare cases P1320 arises due to ECU software failure. The solution is flashing (the cost in the service is 3,000–6,000 rub.). On Nissan Qashqai J11 with motor HR16DE There is a known firmware bug that causes false ignition errors - it can be fixed by updating the software.

Repair cost: service vs self-repair

Elimination price P1320 varies from 500 rub. (cleaning contacts) until 20,000 rub. (replacement of all coils + ECU firmware). Let's look at the average prices:

Type of work	Cost (on your own)	Cost (service)
Diagnostics with a scanner	0 (if there is ELM327)	1,000–1,500 rub.
Replacing one coil	1,500–4,000 rub. (detail)	3,000–6,000 rub. (with work)
Replacement of all coils (set of 4 pcs.)	6,000–16,000 rub.	12,000–20,000 rub.
Cleaning contacts	200–500 rub. (materials)	800–1,500 rub.
ECU firmware	—	3,000–6,000 rub.

Self-repair is justified if you have:

• 🔧 Experience working with vehicle electrical equipment.
• 🔍 Diagnostic scanner (at least ELM327 with program Torque Pro).
• 🛠️ Multimeter and tool kit.

You should contact the service if:

• ⚡ Error P1320 accompanied by other codes (for example, P0600 - ECU malfunction).
• 🔧 After replacing the coils, the problem remained.
• 💻 ECU firmware required.

Prevention of error P1320: how to avoid recurrence

To make a mistake P1320 did not return after repair, follow these recommendations:

• 🔧 Change spark plugs every 30–40 thousand km (even if they are “iridium”).
• 💧 Avoid high-pressure engine washing — water gets into the coil connectors.
• ⚡ Check battery voltage (must be at least 12.6 V).
• 🛢️ Refuel at trusted gas stations - low-quality fuel causes detonation, which destroys the coils.
• 🔍 Inspect connectors regularly on coils and ECU (especially after rain).

On Nissan with turbo engines (For example, Juke 1.6 DIG-T) pay special attention crankcase ventilation system. Clogged oil separators allow oil to enter the coils, causing them to break down.

⚠️ Attention: If you often drive off-road or in puddles, install sealed covers for coil connectors (for example, from 3M Scotchcast). This will prevent oxidation of the contacts and extend the life of the coils by 30–50%.

Frequently asked questions about error P1320 on Nissan

Is it possible to drive with error code P1320?

Short term - yes, but not recommended. Long ride with P1320 leads to:

• 🔥 Overheating of the catalyst (risk of melting).
• ⚡ Increased fuel consumption (+2–3 l/100 km).
• 🔧 Accelerated wear of engine parts due to vibrations.

If the error appears for the first time, you can drive to your home or service center, but do not put off repairs for too long.

Why does P1320 appear after replacing spark plugs?

Most often this is due to:

• 🔧 Incorrect clearance between the spark plug electrodes.
• 💥 Insulator breakdown (cheap candles often “break through”).
• 🔌 Coil damage during installation (for example, a crack in the housing).

Always check the spark plugs for resistance (should be 5–15 kOhm) and install them with dielectric grease on the thread.

Which ignition coils are best for Nissan?

Recommended options:

• 🔝 Original (Nissan 22448-4M015 for Qashqai J11) - reliability, but high price.
• 💎 Denso 550-0103 — the best analogue, compatible with most models.
• 🔧 Bosch 0 221 504 478 - a budget option, but less resource.
• ⚡ NGK U5069 — optimal price/quality ratio.

Avoid cheap Chinese coils - they often fail after 10-20 thousand km.

Can P1320 go away on its own?

Yes, in rare cases the error disappears after:

• 💧 Contacts drying out (if the reason was moisture).
• ⚡ Resetting ECU adaptations (for example, after disconnecting the battery).
• 🔥 Self-cleaning of candles (at high loads).

However, if P1320 returns, the problem requires intervention.

What happens if you do not change the coils with error P1320?

Consequences of ignoring:

• 🔥 Catalyst damage (replacement cost - from 30,000 rubles).
• ⚡ Failure of lambda probes (from 5,000 rubles per piece).
• 🔧 Increased wear of the piston group due to detonation.
• 💥 Breakdown of insulation of high-voltage wires (risk of fire under the hood).

On Nissan with turbo engines faulty coils can lead to turbine damage due to improper fuel combustion.