Error code P1320 on Nissan Sunny: a complete diagnostic and repair guide

Error P1320 on Nissan Sunny (especially on models with engines GA16DE, SR20DE or QG18DE) is one of the most common problems associated with the ignition system. This code points to malfunction in the ignition coil circuit, but its appearance can be caused by a number of reasons: from banal wear of spark plugs to serious problems with the computer. Owners Sunny They often encounter this error after long-term use, sudden temperature changes, or unsuccessful attempts at engine tuning.

Unlike other errors (eg. P0300, signaling misfire), P1320 requires an integrated approach to diagnosis. The fact is that this code can appear either due to a real malfunction or due to false alarms of the sensors. For example, wet weather or corrosion on connectors can cause short-term failures, which the ECU perceives as a critical error. In this article we will look at unique features of error P1320 specifically for Nissan Sunny, including “pitfalls” that are not written about in standard manuals.

What does error P1320 mean on Nissan Sunny

Code P1320 in the self-diagnosis system Nissan stands for «Ignition Signal Primary» - the problem is in the primary ignition circuit. Unlike universal OBD-II codes, this one is specific to Japanese cars and indicates one of the following malfunctions:

• 🔥 Open or short circuit in the ignition coil circuit (most often on connectors or wires).
• ⚡ Malfunction of the coil itself (for example, insulation breakdown or transistor failure).
• 🛠️ Problems with the ECU (less often, but possible, especially after unqualified chip tuning).
• 🔌 Poor contact in the wiring harness connectors going to the coil or crankshaft position sensor.

It is important to understand that P1320 - this is not just “misfire”, but a specific problem in primary circuit. For example, if on your Sunny burn at the same time P1320 And P0300, you first need to eliminate the first error, since it may be the root cause of the second. Also this code is often accompanied by P1325 (secondary circuit malfunction), which indicates a complex problem in the ignition system.

In practice, owners Nissan Sunny note that the error P1320 most often manifested:

• 🚗 When starting the engine “in cold” (especially in wet weather).
• 💨 When you press the gas sharply (dips in traction).
• 🔄 After replacing spark plugs or high-voltage wires (if non-original parts were used).

Causes of error P1320: from simple to complex

Diagnostics P1320 on Nissan Sunny should begin with checking the “cheapest” and most obvious reasons, so as not to waste time and money on replacing serviceable components. Here's the full list of possible culprits, sorted by likelihood:

1. Worn or dirty spark plugs. Even if the candles are “still working,” their resource may be running out. On Sunny with engines GA16DE And SR20DE It is recommended to change spark plugs every 30–40 thousand km, and not wait for 100 thousand, as some “universal” manuals advise.
2. Breakdown of high-voltage wires. Check the wires for microcracks or current leakage in the dark (sparks will be visible). On Sunny Wires often break down NGK or Densoif they are not original.
3. Ignition coil malfunction. On models before 2004, the coils often leak or overheat. Check the resistance of the primary and secondary windings (normal: 0.5–1.0 Ohm And 8–12 kOhm respectively).
4. Corrosion or oxidation of contacts in the connectors of the coil, ECU or crankshaft sensor. On Sunny This is a serious problem due to the proximity of the connectors to the manifold outlet (constant overheating).
5. ECU malfunction. Rarely, but it happens, especially if the car has been tuned or “reflashed”. In this case, the error may appear chaotically, without obvious reasons.

Particular attention should be paid crankshaft position sensor (CPS). On Nissan Sunny it often becomes a “false” reason P1320, since its signal is used by the ECU to synchronize the operation of the coils. If the sensor starts to malfunction, the ECU may mistakenly diagnose a problem in the ignition circuit. Check the resistance of the DPKV (standard: 800–1400 Ohm) and signal oscillogram.

How to check the ignition coil without a multimeter?

If you don’t have a tester at hand, you can temporarily swap the coils (for example, from the 1st cylinder to the 4th). If the error moves to another cylinder, the coil is to blame. If it remains the same, the problem is in the wires or the ECU.

How to correctly diagnose P1320: step-by-step instructions

To avoid guessing from the coffee grounds, follow this algorithm. It is designed taking into account the specifics Nissan Sunny and allows you to eliminate most false positives:

Reset the error with a scanner and check if it appears again|Check the condition of the spark plugs and high-voltage wires|Measure the resistance of the ignition coils|Inspect the connectors for corrosion and oxidation|Check the power supply to the coils (should be 12V when the ignition is on)-->

Step 1. Error reset and monitoring. Connect the scanner (for example, ELM327 or Launch CReader) and reset P1320. Start the engine and let it run for 5-10 minutes. If the error appears again, the problem is still relevant. If not, perhaps it was an isolated failure (for example, due to moisture).

Step 2. Visual inspection. Open the hood and check:

• 🔌 Coil connectors — whether there is a green coating (oxidation) or signs of overheating on them.
• 🔥 High voltage wires — are there any cracks or darkening (a sign of breakdown).
• 💡 Spark plugs - if they are wet or covered with carbon deposits, they need to be replaced.

Step 3. Checking the coils. Remove the coil and measure the resistance:

Winding	Normal resistance	Symptoms of a problem
Primary (between pins 1 and 2)	0.5–1.0 Ohm	Open (resistance → ∞) or short circuit (resistance → 0)
Secondary (between pin 2 and high voltage terminal)	8–12 kOhm	Insulation breakdown (resistance below normal)
Insulation (between housing and contacts)	∞ (no conduction)	Ground breakdown (resistance < 10 MOhm)

Step 4: Check power and signals. Connect the multimeter to the coil connector (with the ignition on):

• On contact +B there must be 12 V.
• On contact IGT (signal from the ECU) - pulses 0–5 V when cranking the starter.

If all checks were successful, but the error remains, the problem may lie in ECU or wiring harness. In this case, it is recommended to diagnostics with an oscilloscope or contact a specialist with equipment to check Nissan Consult.

Common repair mistakes and how to avoid them

Many owners Nissan Sunny make the same mistakes when eliminating P1320, which leads to a recurrence of the problem or worsening of the malfunction. That's what can't do:

⚠️ Attention: Never replace coils or spark plugs one at a time! If one coil fails, the others are most likely close to it too. Install a set of new parts to avoid imbalance in engine performance.

• 🛑 Ignore connector checks. Often the problem lies in oxidized contacts, and not in the coil itself. Clean the connectors with a special spray (for example, CRC Contact Cleaner) and lubricate with dielectric grease.
• 🛑 Install non-original spark plugs. On Sunny with engines QG18DE And SR20DE candles recommended NGK BCP6ES or Denso K16PR-U11. Cheap analogues can cause breakdowns and re-emergence P1320.
• 🛑 “Reset” the error without eliminating the cause. If you simply erase the code with a scanner, it will come back after a few kilometers. The ECU detects a malfunction and does not “glitch.”
• 🛑 Trying to “reflash” the ECU without diagnostics. Often owners, having heard about “chip tuning,” decide that the problem is in the firmware. Actually P1320 almost never related to ECU software.

Another common mistake is replacing coils without checking power. If the coil does not receive 12 V or there is no signal from the ECU, the new part will also fail. Always check:

• 🔋 Voltage at the coil connector (should be 12 V with the ignition on).
• 📶 Signal from the ECU (impulses on the contact IGT).
• 🔌 Integrity of the “ground” (check the wire going from the coil to the body).

If after replacing the coils and spark plugs the error remains, do not rush to blame the computer. Check fuses (on Sunny The fuse controls the ignition IGN at 10 A) and relay (the coil relay is usually located in the box under the hood). Sometimes the problem lies in a simple lack of contact in these elements.

Cost of repairs: what is cheaper - do it yourself or go to a service center

Elimination price P1320 on Nissan Sunny depends on the cause of the malfunction and the chosen repair method. Below is the estimated cost of work and spare parts in 2026:

Malfunction	Cost of spare parts (RUB)	Cost of service work (RUB)	Difficulty in self-repair
Replacing spark plugs (set)	800–1 500	500–1 000	⭐ (simple)
Replacement of high-voltage wires (set)	1 500–3 000	800–1 500	⭐⭐ (you need to carefully remove the connectors)
Replacing the ignition coil (1 pc.)	2 000–4 500	1 000–2 000	⭐⭐ (requires multimeter to check)
Cleaning/repairing ECU connectors	200–500 (spray + lubricant)	1 500–3 000	⭐⭐⭐ (you need to carefully disassemble the block)
Diagnostics with an oscilloscope	—	2 000–4 000	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (hardware required)

As can be seen from the table, do-it-yourself repair It is cheaper, but only if you are confident in your abilities. For example, replacing spark plugs or wires does not require special skills, but diagnosing coils or repairing ECU connectors can be difficult. If you do not have a multimeter or experience working with electrical equipment, it is better to contact a service center.

Average cost complex diagnostics in a car service - 1,500–3,000 rubles. If the problem is with the coils or wires, the total cost will be 3,000–8,000 rubles. If the ECU malfunctions, repairs may cost 10,000–20,000 rubles (depending on the block model).

⚠️ Attention: On Nissan Sunny with engine SR20DE Ignition coils are often counterfeited. Buy spare parts only from authorized dealers or trusted suppliers (for example, Exist.ru or Autodoc). Counterfeits may only last a few months.

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 “still working”. On Sunny Spark plug wear often does not appear immediately, but in the form of periodic failures.
• 🌡️ Monitor the engine temperature. Overheating accelerates wear on the coils. Check the antifreeze level and the operation of the cooling fan.
• 💧 Avoid driving through deep puddles. If water gets on the coils or connectors, it may cause a short circuit and P1320.
• ⚡ Use only high-quality high-voltage wires. Cheap wires with low resistance can cause breakdowns and false errors.
• 🔌 Clean contacts regularly. Once a year, remove the connectors of the coils and the ECU, clean them of oxidation and lubricate them with dielectric grease.

If your Nissan Sunny often stands motionless (for example, in winter), before long-term parking:

• Remove the terminals from the battery to avoid stray currents.
• Treat coil and sensor contacts WD-40 or similar composition.
• If the car has been idle for more than a month, start it for 10–15 minutes to warm up the engine and “pump” the oil through the system.

Pay special attention fuel. Poor gasoline with low octane rating or impurities can cause detonation, which overloads the ignition coils. Refuel at trusted gas stations and use additives to clean the injector (for example, Liqui Moly Injection Reiniger) every 5,000 km.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to drive with error code P1320?

Short term - yes, but not recommended. Error P1320 indicates problems in the ignition system, which can lead to:

• Increased fuel consumption (up to +20%).
• Failures during acceleration.
• Overheating of the catalyst (due to incomplete combustion of fuel).

If the error appears rarely (for example, only in wet weather), you can postpone the repair, but not for long. If P1320 lights up constantly - driving is undesirable.

Why does P1320 only appear when the engine is cold?

This is a typical sign:

• Bad contact in connectors (when heated, the metal expands and contact is temporarily restored).
• Coil wear (when cold, the resistance of the windings is higher, and a weak signal does not pass through).
• Condensate in high-voltage wires or connectors (disappears after warming up).

Check the connectors of the coils and the crankshaft sensor, as well as the resistance of the coils “cold” and “hot”.

Which ignition coils are best installed on a Nissan Sunny?

Recommended options:

• Original — Nissan 22448-4M015 (for GA16DE) or Nissan 22448-5M000 (for SR20DE).
• Analogues — Denso 550-0104, NGK U5007, Bosch 0 221 504 478.

Avoid cheap Chinese reels (eg. NoName for 1,000 rubles) - they rarely last more than a year.

Can P1320 appear after washing the engine?

Yes, and this is one of the most common reasons. Water that has reached:

• Ignition coils.
• ECU connectors.
• High voltage wires.

may cause a short circuit. If the error appears after washing:

1. Dry the engine (you can use a hairdryer).
2. Reset the error using the scanner.
3. If the code returns, check the coils and connectors for corrosion.

What should I do if error P1320 remains after replacing the coils?

Probable reasons:

• Defective crankshaft position sensor (CPS).
• Problems with powering the coils (check fuses and relays).
• ECU faulty (less common, but possible).
• Bad "mass" engine (check the wire from the negative terminal of the battery to the body).

Check the oscillogram of the DPKV signal and the voltage at the coil connectors. If everything is in order, diagnose the ECU.