Parts for your 2017 Nissan Navara-Ignition coils

2017 Nissan Navara ignition coils — are they actually used?

For the Australian and New Zealand market, the 2017 Nissan Navara (D23/NP300) doesn’t use ignition coils. Local 2017 models are fitted with Nissan’s 2.3‑litre common‑rail turbo‑diesel engines (YS23DDT and YS23DDTT), which rely on compression ignition and glow plugs, not spark plugs or ignition coils. This is confirmed by the Nissan Navara D23 Series specifications/brochures for MY17, which list only diesel powertrains for AU/NZ, and by the D23 workshop manual for the YS23 engine family that details the glow plug system rather than any coil‑on‑plug ignition.

Why no ignition coils? In a petrol engine, coils step up battery voltage to fire spark plugs. A diesel engine ignites fuel from the heat of compression, so there’s no spark. Instead, diesels use glow plugs to pre‑heat the combustion chamber for smooth starting, especially in cold weather. The D23 service literature describes the glow plug relay, control strategy and replacement intervals—but there’s no ignition coil circuit to service.

It’s common for people searching “2017 Navara ignition coils” to be chasing a rough idle or hard start. On this model, look to diesel‑specific items first: glow plugs and their relay, battery health and cranking speed, injector performance, fuel filter condition, and intake/EGR cleanliness. If cold starting is sluggish or there’s excess white smoke on start‑up, have the glow plugs tested, if performance is down or there’s misfire‑like shudder, an injector balance check and fuel system scan is the go.

A quick note on imports: some overseas markets sold petrol QR25DE Navaras around this era, and those do use coil‑on‑plug ignition. If a privately imported 2017‑ish petrol Navara is in the mix, it will have ignition coils. For AU/NZ‑delivered 2017 vehicles, though, ignition coils aren’t fitted or required.

• Technical sources referenced: Nissan Navara D23 (NP300) MY17 AU/NZ specifications/brochure, Nissan D23 Workshop Manual (YS23DDT/YS23DDTT) Engine Control and Glow Plug System sections, Owner’s/Service literature noting diesel‑only AU/NZ line‑up for 2017.

FAQs

Does a 2017 Nissan Navara have ignition coils?
AU/NZ‑delivered 2017 Navaras are diesel, so they don’t have ignition coils or spark plugs. They use glow plugs for cold starts instead. If a petrol‑engine import is involved, that one would have coils.

What causes hard starting if there are no ignition coils?
On these diesels, hard starting is usually down to weak glow plugs or relay, a tired battery, low cranking speed, a clogged fuel filter, or injector issues. A scan for fault codes and a glow‑plug current test will point you in the right direction.

Could my 2017 Navara still need coil replacement?
Only if it’s a petrol variant sourced from another market. Check the engine code on the build plate: YS23 indicates diesel (no coils). QR25 indicates petrol (with coils).