Error code P0302 on cars Nissan indicates misfire during second cylinder. This problem can manifest itself in different ways: from a barely noticeable vibration at idle to a complete loss of power and the engine going into emergency mode. Most often the error occurs on models with gasoline engines. HR16DE, MR20DE, QR25DE, but does not ignore diesel units. Unlike random failures that sometimes disappear after restarting the engine, P0302 on Nissan often signals a progressive malfunction, which is dangerous to ignore - this can lead to damage to the catalyst or even the cylinder block.

Owners Qashqai J11, X-Trail T32 And Juke F15 encounter this error especially often due to the characteristics of the ignition and fuel supply systems. In some cases, the problem is solved by replacing the spark plug or coil, but sometimes in-depth diagnostics are required, including checking compression, injectors, and even the ECU. In this article we will look at all possible reasons P0302, diagnostic methods (including self-testing without a scanner) and give step-by-step instructions for troubleshooting. If you notice jerks during acceleration, increased fuel consumption, or fire Check Engine - this information will help save time and money on repairs.

What does P0302 mean on Nissan?

Code P0302 stands for "Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected" — misfires were detected in the second cylinder. Unlike common errors like P0300 (random misfires), here the problem is localized specifically in one cylinder. This simplifies diagnosis as it narrows the range of possible causes.

Electronic control unit (ECU) captures an error when:

  • 🔥 Crankshaft position sensor (CKP) registers uneven engine rotation associated with a failure in the 2nd cylinder.
  • ⚡ Signal from the oxygen sensor (lambda probe) indicates improper combustion of fuel in that cylinder.
  • 📉 The power drop exceeds the permissible threshold (usually 2-3% of normal).

On Nissan with systems Direct Ignition System (DIS) or Coil-on-Plug (COP) error P0302 often accompanied by other codes, for example:

  • P0300 — random misfires;
  • P0202 — malfunction of the injector control circuit of the 2nd cylinder;
  • P0171 — poor air-fuel mixture (may be a result of misfires).
⚠️ Attention: If the error P0302 appears along with P0420 or P0430 (low catalyst efficiency), this means that the problem has existed for a long time and unburned fuel has already damaged the catalytic converter. In this case, repairs will cost much more!

The main symptoms of error P0302

Misfire in the second cylinder manifests itself differently depending on the severity of the malfunction. In the early stages you may not notice any problems, but over time the symptoms become obvious:

Symptom Manifestation on Nissan Probable Cause
Vibration at idle The engine “troubles”, vibration is transmitted to the steering wheel or body. Especially noticeable on Qashqai And X-Trail with motors MR20DE. Faulty spark plug or ignition coil.
Jerks during acceleration The car jerks when accelerating, especially at speeds of 2000-3000 rpm. Often found on Juke with turbo engine HR16DET. Problems with the fuel injector or air leaks.
Increased fuel consumption Consumption grows by 10-30% for no apparent reason. For example, Almera N18 instead of 7 l/100 km it starts to “eat” 9-10 l. The ECU compensates for the misfires by enriching the mixture.
Check Engine light comes on The lamp may flash or stay on. On Note E12 often accompanied by a decrease in power. The ECU has registered a critical number of omissions.
Difficult start The engine starts within 2-3 attempts, especially in cold weather. Typical for Tiida C13 with motor HR16DE. Low compression or faulty temperature sensor.

If you notice at least 2-3 symptoms from the list, you need to conduct a diagnosis. On some models (for example, Pathfinder R52) long-term ignoring P0302 can lead to failure of the catalyst, the repair of which will cost 50,000+ rubles.

📊 On which Nissan model did you get error code P0302?
  • Qashqai
  • X-Trail
  • Juke
  • Almera
  • Note
  • Other model

Causes of error P0302 on Nissan: from simple to complex

Misfires in the second cylinder can be caused by dozens of reasons, but in practice, 80% of cases come down to 5 main malfunctions. We have ranked them from the simplest (and cheapest to repair) to the most complex:

  1. Spark plug - wear, cracks on the insulator or incorrect clearance. On Nissan It is recommended to use original spark plugs NGK IFR6T11 or Denso FK16HR11.
  2. Ignition coil — insulation breakdown, internal short circuit. A common problem on engines QR25DE (for example, in X-Trail T31).
  3. nozzle - clogging, leakage or failure. On diesel Nissan (For example, Navara D40) may require ultrasonic cleaning.
  4. Air leak - cracks in the intake manifold, worn gaskets or damage to vacuum hoses. Especially relevant for Teana J32 with motor VQ35DE.
  5. Low compression - wear of piston rings, valves or burnout of the cylinder head gasket. Typical for runs over 200,000 km.

Less common culprits are:

  • 🔧 Faulty crankshaft position (CKP) sensor or camshaft (CMP).
  • 💻 Failures in the ECU firmware (relevant after chip tuning).
  • ⚡ Problems with wiring (oxidation of contacts, breaks).
  • 🛢️ Poor quality fuel (especially on Nissan with the system Direct Injection).
How to check a spark plug without tools?

If you don’t have a tester, you can visually assess the condition of the spark plug:

1. Unscrew the spark plug from the 2nd cylinder (numbering comes from the timing side).

2. Inspect the center electrode: normal color is gray-brown. Black soot indicates a rich mixture, white soot indicates a poor mixture.

3. Check the gap between the electrodes (should be 0.8-1.1 mm for most motors Nissan).

4. If there are cracks or traces of “breakdown” on the insulator (dark stripes), the spark plug must be replaced urgently.

Diagnosing error P0302: step-by-step instructions

To accurately determine the cause of misfires in the second cylinder, follow this algorithm. Let's start with simple checks that you can do yourself:

Read error codes with a scanner (ELM327 or Consult diagnostic cable)

Swap the spark plugs of the 2nd and 3rd cylinders (if the error goes to the 3rd, the spark plug is to blame)

Swap the ignition coils of cylinders 2 and 4 (similarly with spark plugs)

Check the resistance of the injector of the 2nd cylinder (should be 12-16 Ohms)

Inspect high-voltage wires (if any) for breakdowns and cracks

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Step 1: Reading Errors

Connect a diagnostic scanner (for example, ELM327 or Launch CReader) and check for additional codes. If except P0302 There is P0202 - the problem is in the injector. If there is P0300, P0301, P0303 — system malfunction (for example, low fuel pressure).

Step 2. Checking the spark plugs and coils

The fastest way to identify the culprit is the permutation method:

1. Swap the spark plugs of the 2nd and 3rd cylinders.

2. If the error moves to the 3rd cylinder (P0303) - the candle is to blame.

3. If the error remains on the 2nd, swap the coils of the 2nd and 4th cylinders.

4. If after this it appears P0304, the problem is in the coil.

Step 3. Checking the injectors

To do this you will need a multimeter:

1. Disconnect the injector connector of the 2nd cylinder.

2. Measure the resistance between the pins (should be 12-16 ohms for most Nissan).

3. If the resistance is outside the norm, the injector is faulty.

4. Also check the voltage at the connector with the ignition on (should be 12 V).

Step 4. Compression check

If the previous steps did not work, measure the compression in the 2nd cylinder:

1. Unscrew the spark plug.

2. Insert the compression gauge into the spark plug hole.

3. Crank the engine with the starter (at least 5 seconds).

4. Normal compression for gasoline engines Nissan - 12-14 bar. The difference between the cylinders should not exceed 1 bar.

⚠️ Attention: On diesel Nissan (For example, Navara or Patrol) compression must be at least 25 bar. If the value is below 20 bar, engine repair is required (replacement of rings, valves or cylinder head gaskets).

How to fix error P0302: repairs and replacements

Depending on the cause found, solutions P0302 will be different. Below we provide step-by-step instructions for the most common cases.

1. Replacing the spark plug

If the spark plug is at fault, it needs to be replaced. For Nissan The following analogues are recommended:

  • 🔧 Original: Nissan 22401-JM00B (for Qashqai J11, X-Trail T32).
  • 🔧 NGK IFR6T11 - universal option for motors HR16DE, MR20DE.
  • 🔧 Denso FK16HR11 - suitable for Juke And Note.

The gap between the electrodes should be 0.8-1.1 mm. After replacement, reset the error using the scanner and check the engine operation.

2. Replacing the ignition coil

On Nissan with the system Coil-on-Plug (For example, Teana J32) coils often fail due to overheating. Signs of malfunction:

- Dark spots on the reel body.

- Cracks on the insulator.

- Spark breakdown on the body (visible in the dark).

Original coils: Nissan 22448-4M015 (for QR25DE) or Hitachi C1015 (analog). After replacement, be sure to check the resistance of the primary and secondary windings (normal: 0.5-1 Ohm and 8-12 kOhm, respectively).

3. Cleaning or replacing the nozzle

If the nozzle is clogged, you can try to clean it:

1. Remove the fuel rail.

2. Wash the nozzle in an ultrasonic bath or with a special cleaner (for example, LIQUI MOLY Diesel Spulung for diesel engines).

3. Check the fuel spray (should be a uniform cone).

If the injector is faulty (for example, it leaks or does not open), it must be replaced. For Nissan with motor MR20DE the original will do Nissan 16600-4M000 or equivalent Denso 23250-75040.

4. Elimination of air leaks

You can detect air leaks using a smoke generator or a simple method with WD-40:

1. Start the engine.

2. Spray WD-40 on potential leak points (intake manifold connections, throttle gasket, vacuum hoses).

3. If the engine speed has temporarily leveled off, there is a leak in this place.

Frequent places of suction on Nissan:

- Intake manifold gasket (especially on X-Trail T31).

- Vacuum valve hose PCV.

- O-rings for injectors.

💡

If after replacing spark plugs or coils there is an error P0302 remains, check the condition of the high-voltage wires (if your model has them). Their resistance should not exceed 10 kOhm. On motors GA16DE (for example, in Almera N16) wires often break through to ground, which leads to skips.

Preventing error P0302 on Nissan

To avoid misfire in the second cylinder, follow these recommendations:

  • 🔧 Change spark plugs every 30,000–40,000 km (even if they look normal). On gas, the interval is reduced to 20,000 km.
  • ⛽ Use fuel with an octane rating of at least AI-95 (for turbo engines HR16DET - only AI-98).
  • 🛢️ Add injector cleaner to the tank (for example, LIQUI MOLY Ventil Sauber) every 5,000 km.
  • 🔥 Check the condition of the ignition coils at every maintenance. Signs of wear: cracks, darkening, contact corrosion.
  • 📉 Monitor the oil level and its quality. Low oil pressure can cause piston ring wear and loss of compression.

Also pay attention to your driving style:

- Avoid running the engine at idle for long periods of time (this leads to the formation of carbon deposits on the spark plugs).

- Do not overload the vehicle (for example, Nissan Navara fully loaded off-road).

- Regularly check for errors with a scanner, even if Check Engine does not burn.

💡

On motors Nissan with variable valve timing system (CVTC) misfires are often associated with valve contamination OCV (oil control). Cleaning it may resolve the error. P0302 without replacing spark plugs or coils.

Frequently asked questions about error P0302 on Nissan

Is it possible to drive with P0302?

Short term - yes, but not recommended. Long-term driving with misfires leads to:

  • Overheating of the catalyst (risk of melting).
  • Increased wear of the piston group.
  • Increased fuel consumption by 20-30%.

If the error appears for the first time, you can drive to the service center, but no more than 100-200 km.

How much does it cost to repair a P0302 on a Nissan?

The cost depends on the reason:

  • Replacing spark plugs: 800–2,000 rubles. (on your own) or 2,500–4,000 rubles. (in the service).
  • Replacement coil: RUB 3,000–8,000. (depending on model).
  • Injector cleaning: RUB 2,000–5,000.
  • Engine repair (low compression): from RUB 20,000.

On Nissan with motors VQ35DE (For example, Teana or Skyline) repairs are more expensive due to the difficulty of accessing the cylinders.

Can P0302 be caused by bad gasoline?

Yes, low-quality fuel is one of the reasons for skipping. Signs:

  • The error appeared immediately after refueling.
  • The engine is unstable at all speeds.
  • After draining the bad gasoline and refilling with normal gasoline, the problem disappears.

In this case it is recommended:

  1. Drain low-quality fuel.
  2. Flush the fuel system.
  3. Replace the fuel filter.
How to reset error P0302 without a scanner?

There are two ways to reset the error:

  1. Disconnecting the battery:
    1. Remove the negative terminal from the battery.
    2. Wait 10-15 minutes.
    3. Reconnect the terminal.

    Minus: all settings will be reset (clock, radio, throttle adaptations).

  2. Reset via fuse:
    1. Find the fuse ECU (usually 10A or 15A in the unit under the hood).
    2. Pull it out for 30 seconds.
    3. Reinstall.

    Suitable for Nissan Almera N16, Primera P12 and other models from the early 2000s.

If the error returns after a reset, the problem is not resolved.

Why does error P0302 appear only when cold?

If misfires occur only during a cold start, the reasons may be as follows:

  • 🔥 Spark plugs: at low temperatures the gap increases, which leads to a weak spark.
  • ❄️ Injectors: clogging or leakage occurs only when the engine is cold.
  • 📉 Temperature sensor: if he's lying, the ECU is adjusting the mixture incorrectly.
  • 🛢️ Cylinder oil: When the valve stem seals wear out, oil flows into the cylinder overnight, which leads to misfires when starting.

For diagnostics, check:

— Сопротивление датчика температуры (должно меняться при нагреве).

— Компрессию на холодную и горячую (разница не должна превышать 2 бар).


— Состояние маслосъёмных колпачков (при их износе будет дымный выхлоп при запуске).