All 6 coils burned out! TWICE!

danielps69 · Mar 1, 2008

My Murano recently failed to start, i checked out and all 6 coils were burned!!! Plastic just next to the electrical connector is burned... Installed a new coil (just one), ignition switch on, touch the new coil, it's hotter than hell! I replace ECM and coils, and now everything's ok.... After a few days, same thing! Brand new OEM ignition coils and ECM.
Any help will be highly appreciated.

:3:

njjoe · Mar 1, 2008

danielps69-

Welcome to the forum.

According to the service manual, the supply voltage to the coils is the battery voltage, so it is impossible to send too much voltage to the coils.

You can check the voltage by disconnecting the connector and using a voltmeter from terminal #3 (see diagram below) to ground. The ignition must be on. The voltage should read the same as the battery voltage.

You obviously know what you are doing, but could it possibly be an over-voltage condition caused by a faulty alternator?

-njjoe

Gonzo · Mar 1, 2008

I would think that if the voltage regulator (in the alternator) was bad there would other issues with the electrical system too.

Eric L. · Mar 1, 2008

There is likely a short somewhere in the circuit - I would doublecheck all the various ground connections in the engine bay (yeah I know there are a ton of them) - the one that affects the coils is likely grounding right on the engine block. I don't know where this would be on the Murano but on my Maxima it is right beneath the intake plenum.

njjoe · Mar 2, 2008

Eric L. said:
There is likely a short somewhere in the circuit -

E-

When you think about it, I don't think there is a short in the coil circuit. If the short was upstream of the coils they would not be energized, and therefor would not be hot. If the short was downstream of the coils it would have no effect since the current goes to ground after the coils.

Something just does not sound right.

The ECM triggers the coils. Did it fail because the coils failed, or is it the other way around?

The coils list for $86 and the ECM for $821. That is over $1,300 in parts.

-njjoe

Eric L. · Mar 2, 2008

If the plastic around the coil connectors are warped, its pulling too much current, which is why I suggested a short somewhere. For it to affect the coil circuit, it has to be connected to it somehow, even if indirectly through the ECU (it should blow the ECU fuse though if this were the case). If the coil circuit is fed off the battery, which is think is a higher amp fuse, it could explain why so much current could get to the coils to begin with.

But then I am just guessing on this, since diagnosing via internet tends to be speculation at best.

njjoe said:
E-

When you think about it, I don't think there is a short in the coil circuit. If the short was upstream of the coils they would not be energized, and therefor would not be hot. If the short was downstream of the coils it would have no effect since the current goes to ground after the coils.

Something just does not sound right.

The ECM triggers the coils. Did it fail because the coils failed, or is it the other way around?

The coils list for $86 and the ECM for $821. That is over $1,300 in parts.

-njjoe

danielps69 · Mar 3, 2008

THANKS FOR THE HELP! Tell me about it! all the parts were way more than $1000... I was considering the idea of a bad alternator since they're recalled, but i just discard it 'cause my alternator was working ok and that can't explain why coils get hot even whit key on engine off. It looks like something blows ECM and the ECM then blows coils (old ECM blows new coils), this is my personal vehicle, thanks god i own a garage and a CONSULT-II so i didn't have to pay the stealer for the NATS initialization and VIN registraion.... STILL LOST!!!

has somebody had a problem like this before?¿?¿

njjoe · Mar 3, 2008

danielps69-

Electronics is not my forte, but could a failed condenser be the cause of the problems?

-njjoe

Byron · Mar 6, 2008

danielps69 said:
THANKS FOR THE HELP! Tell me about it! all the parts were way more than $1000... I was considering the idea of a bad alternator since they're recalled, but i just discard it 'cause my alternator was working ok and that can't explain why coils get hot even whit key on engine off. It looks like something blows ECM and the ECM then blows coils (old ECM blows new coils), this is my personal vehicle, thanks god i own a garage and a CONSULT-II so i didn't have to pay the stealer for the NATS initialization and VIN registraion.... STILL LOST!!! has somebody had a problem like this before?¿?¿

Sorry to hear about such problems. The best I can tell, the ECM relay should cut the battery voltage with the switch off. Even with a constant ignition signal from the ECU, there should be no current with the switch off.

First, I would suggest checking to make sure the ECM relay is opening with the switch off. I don't think that is the problem, but I may be a part of it. After that, the only thing I can suggest is slowly and methodically checking the related circuits. I would start by confirming ground connections. Wish I could be of more assistance, but I can't come up with anything simple that would provide the constant signal from the ECU to the coils that would allow full current.

Suite'MO · Mar 28, 2011

My car has the same problem as Daniel!!

Hello All,
Did anybody knew how this was ever ended? I mean, how Daniel did solve the problem on his car.

I have similar problem on my, got not idea on how to fix it,

Helppppppppsssssssss!!

njjoe · Mar 28, 2011

Suite'MO said:
Hello All,
Did anybody knew how this was ever ended? I mean, how Daniel did solve the problem on his car.

Welcome to the forum.

Since this is a relatively old post, and the original poster is not an active member, I suggest you send him a PM. If his email is still valid he may get your request for info.

-njjoe

Suite'MO · Mar 28, 2011

I have tried that a there was not an answer from him. The message I sent to him is dated November6 last year.

Anyway, I am open to any other hint that might be flying in anybody head.

Thanks for the suggestion njjoe,

Suite'MO · Mar 31, 2011

Helpsssssss, pleaseeeeee! Has anybody know what whas the solution of the above problem?
Pleaseeeeeeeeeee!

Warhammer · Mar 31, 2011

My mind is telling me that it's either the ECM is at fault or your harness is shorting somewhere. Maybe the ECM is telling the coils to constantly fire. If that is the case then they could melt due to he high amount of current.

From what I understand the coils have what's called a duty cycle. It's supposed to be a quick on and quick off depending on the level of demand the vehicle is being put through. I'd take an volt meter and check the signals at the coils and reference the voltages you see with the Service Manual. Then pull the power lines and look for shorts in your harnesses. If you notice the signal going to the coils means they're always supposed to be on, then that may be your problem. In which case it's time to swap out the ECU. If you find a signal that is shorted then it's time to swap out a section of the harness.

Either way you go it won't be cheap if you go with new parts.

blink_1820 · Nov 1, 2011

Has anybody been able to fix this??? I have bought toooooo many coils right now & still no answer to the problem.....I have changed ECM & checked harness for any pinched cable but everything looks ok............ I got 2 O2 Sensor codes related heaters but I don't think those are related...

Please heelpp I'm also desperate!!

zebelkhan · Nov 1, 2011

Does the coil circuitry go through the IPDM? A long shot perhaps but maybe a relay is stuck closed on it.

blink_1820 · Nov 3, 2011

I don't have answer for that...I've checked all cables and looks ok....I've found in other forums related to 3.5 engine & looks like it's a common problem that it starts burning coils & ecm's but non of them has a clear answer on what the problem is...I've bought around 10 coils & 1 ecm and nothing...I loved MO's but now I jsut want to fix it & sell it & never buy any other Nissan in my life...

MeaMurano · Nov 7, 2011

I'd also change the harness as well. Pinched harness wires are not the only issue that cause malfunction, aging and rust make a mess as well. Specially on AC coil wires.

All 6 coils burned out! TWICE!

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