Parts for your 2001 Nissan Pathfinder-Ignition coils

2001 Nissan Pathfinder ignition coils — what they do and how to look after them

Ignition coils are absolutely used on the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. Technical documentation backs this up: the Nissan 2001 Pathfinder Factory Service Manual (R50), Engine Control (EC) section, specifies an “ignition coil with power transistor (one per cylinder)” for the VQ35DE engine. Nissan’s Electronic Parts Catalogue (FAST) lists six coil-on-plug units in part group 22448 for this model year, and Nissan service bulletins addressing DTC P1320 on early VQ35DE platforms (including Pathfinder R50) further confirm coil-on-plug fitment.

On a 2001 Pathfinder, there are six individual coil-on-plug units, one per cylinder. Their job is simple but vital: each coil steps up battery voltage to a high-voltage spark at the plug right when the engine control module tells it to, ensuring clean combustion, decent fuel economy, and smooth running.

There’s no scheduled replacement interval for coils, but they do wear out with heat and age. Typical signs include hard starting, rough idle, hesitation under load, increased fuel use, and the check engine light with codes like P0300–P0306 (misfires) or P1320 (ignition signal). If a fault pops up, a quick scan for misfire counts and a coil “swap test” between cylinders helps pinpoint the culprit.

Good servicing hygiene keeps coils happy:

• Replace spark plugs on time (iridium/platinum plugs about every 160,000 km, or earlier if performance drops). Worn plugs make coils work harder.
• Check for oil in the plug tubes (rocker cover gasket leaks are common) and fix leaks promptly — oil damages boots and causes misfires.
• Inspect coil boots for cracking or tracking, a light smear of dielectric grease on the inside lip helps sealing.
• Use quality coils (e.g., OE Hitachi/NGK) and avoid bargain-bin parts that can trigger repeat faults.

DIY-friendly? Mostly. Disconnect the battery, unclip the coil connectors, and remove the coil hold-down bolt (target torque on refit is around 7 N·m). On the VQ35DE, access to some rear-bank coils may require removing the upper intake collector, if it’s off, many owners choose to replace all three coils on that bank, or all six if the vehicle’s clocking up the kilometres.

If multiple coils have similar age and one fails, pre-emptively replacing the set can save time and towing later, especially in hotter climates or vehicles used for towing and off-road work.

Popular questions about 2001 Nissan Pathfinder ignition coils

How many ignition coils does a 2001 Pathfinder have, and are they coil-on-plug?
It runs six individual coil-on-plug units, one per cylinder on the VQ35DE engine. Each coil sits directly on its spark plug, removing the need for traditional HT leads and improving spark accuracy.

What fault codes point to bad coils on this model?
Common codes include P0300 (random misfire) and P0301–P0306 (cylinder-specific misfires). P1320 (ignition signal) is also seen on ageing VQ35DE coils. Use misfire counters and coil swaps to verify before replacing.

Should all coils be replaced at once?
Not strictly. Replacing the failed coil is fine, but if the intake collector has to come off for rear-bank access or the coils are all the same age and the vehicle is high-kilometre, doing them as a set can be cost-effective and reliable.