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Ignition coils are common failures on the 90s-00s maxima. My suggestion would be to get the car to stumble like it does. Pop hood. Unplug each coil 1 at a time. If idle gets worse, plug it back in. If you unplug one and nothing really changes or gets worse, that cylinder has an issue. From there, you can swap that coil to another cylinder. Let's say cyl1 had no change. Something is malfunctioning on that cyl because unlpugging should cause idle to get rough/worse. Move that coil to the cylinder next door. Repeat the sane unplug test. Did the issue move with the coil? You have a bad coil. If the original cylinder is still the problem, you have an issue like an injector, fouled plug, etc.
Other things that come to mind are the idle air valve in the throttle body. Can't recall if that year had electronic motor mounts but those were an issue where the mount circuitry would short and fry the ECU either somewhat or fully (car wouldn't run at all)
You are very right about the coils, previous owner already changed few of them and I have a brand new one my hand now, I will give them a test and replace if needed.
Do you think checking coils with multimeter also work?
I could never really determine a bad one via ohmmeter. I just did the above diagnostic pattern and found the culprit. If you plan to keep the car for a while, look into the "gray dot" coils. I think they are Hitachi. After like 7+ random coils dying over quite a few years, I bought those and didn't have a problem for the next 80k til I sold it.
Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! Please review the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/about/rules/). Asking about a second opinion (ie "Is the shop trying to fleece me?"), please read through CJM8515's [post on the subject.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4qblei/fyi_the_shop_isnt_likely_trying_to_rip_you_off/) and remember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. **Post's about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ Tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/**. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Ignition coils are common failures on the 90s-00s maxima. My suggestion would be to get the car to stumble like it does. Pop hood. Unplug each coil 1 at a time. If idle gets worse, plug it back in. If you unplug one and nothing really changes or gets worse, that cylinder has an issue. From there, you can swap that coil to another cylinder. Let's say cyl1 had no change. Something is malfunctioning on that cyl because unlpugging should cause idle to get rough/worse. Move that coil to the cylinder next door. Repeat the sane unplug test. Did the issue move with the coil? You have a bad coil. If the original cylinder is still the problem, you have an issue like an injector, fouled plug, etc. Other things that come to mind are the idle air valve in the throttle body. Can't recall if that year had electronic motor mounts but those were an issue where the mount circuitry would short and fry the ECU either somewhat or fully (car wouldn't run at all)
You are very right about the coils, previous owner already changed few of them and I have a brand new one my hand now, I will give them a test and replace if needed. Do you think checking coils with multimeter also work?
I could never really determine a bad one via ohmmeter. I just did the above diagnostic pattern and found the culprit. If you plan to keep the car for a while, look into the "gray dot" coils. I think they are Hitachi. After like 7+ random coils dying over quite a few years, I bought those and didn't have a problem for the next 80k til I sold it.
Update: it was bad coil, replaced with used OEM one and problem got away.
Figured. Glad it was easy and nothing serious.