So I got a code reader as a christmas gift and finally needed it when my Maxima's check engine light came on. The car seemed sluggish and when idling, the engine was obviously not running right (missing?). I could feel a strange engine vibration through the brake pedal. The car was very drivable, had no trouble starting, and certainly could climb hills and such. Just a little sluggish and rough.
After two days, the engine returned to normal and the light went off.
I read the codes: P0303 (Cylinder 3 misfire) and P1320 (my reader says a powertrain code, but the list I found on the net says "IGN Signal-Primary".
I have had symptoms like this on and off for months, but they usually go away once the car is warm and even then don't happen every time it's cold. But the check engine light came on this time and stayed on, which it has never done before. It does seem to be running fine now.
I wonder if this problem is related to cheap gas. I do almost always use 92 Octane fuel, especially in the last year. I had used Arco gas for ages and found that when I switched to what I presume was better gas (sold by Costco) the car ran better for months. I recently started using a different gas (not Arco, not Costco's) and then this happened. The gas thing may be totally coincidental - I'm just guessing.
Ideas?
Thanks, Andrew
--
----> Portland, Oregon, USA