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DTC codes / Nissan codes / P1306

P1306 · NissanCylinder 6 Misfire

P1306 on Nissan vehicles indicates that the engine control module has detected a misfire specifically on cylinder 6, typically by monitoring crankshaft speed fluctuations that occur when that cylinder fails to contribute power. The code is stored when the misfire count for cylinder 6 exceeds the manufacturer's threshold, which can range from a single event to a continuous misfire depending on driving conditions.

SystemPowertrain
Code typeNissan specific
SeverityHigh
Fix difficultyIntermediate
AreaIgnition system and misfire

Symptoms you may notice

  • Check engine light illuminated, often flashing if the misfire is severe enough to risk catalytic converter damage
  • Noticeable engine vibration or shaking at idle that may smooth out at higher RPM
  • Reduced engine power and sluggish acceleration, especially under load or when climbing hills
  • Rough running with a distinct rhythmic stumble that matches the firing order of cylinder 6
  • Often no symptoms besides the warning light when the misfire is intermittent or only occurs under specific conditions
  • Poor fuel economy or a strong raw fuel smell from the exhaust if the misfire is constant

Common causes, most likely first

  1. Worn or fouled spark plug on cylinder 6, often due to oil seepage or extended service intervals
  2. Failed ignition coil or coil-on-plug boot for cylinder 6, which is a common failure on Nissan V6 engines
  3. Faulty fuel injector for cylinder 6, including clogged nozzles or electrical winding failure
  4. Vacuum leak at the intake manifold runner or gasket near cylinder 6, causing a lean misfire
  5. Low compression on cylinder 6 from worn rings, valve seat recession, or a head gasket breach
  6. Damaged wiring or connector at the cylinder 6 coil or injector, often from heat or rodent damage
  7. Mechanical valvetrain issue such as a collapsed lifter or worn cam lobe affecting cylinder 6

How to diagnose and fix it

  1. Perform a visual inspection of the cylinder 6 ignition coil, spark plug, and injector connector for damage, corrosion, or oil contamination
  2. Swap the ignition coil from cylinder 6 with a known-good coil from another cylinder and see if the misfire moves, confirming coil failure
  3. Remove and inspect the spark plug from cylinder 6 for wear, fouling, or incorrect gap, and replace it if questionable
  4. Run a compression test and a cylinder leak-down test on cylinder 6 to rule out mechanical faults before replacing ignition or fuel parts
  5. Use a noid light or oscilloscope to check the injector pulse signal at cylinder 6, and perform an injector balance test if equipped
  6. Smoke-test the intake system to locate vacuum leaks near cylinder 6, and repair any leaking gaskets or hoses
  7. If ignition and fuel delivery are confirmed good, perform a relative compression test or cranking compression comparison across all cylinders to assess mechanical health

Cylinder 6 misfire traps on Nissan V6 engines

  • A P1306 code on Nissan V6 engines frequently results from a failed ignition coil that tests fine when cold but breaks down under heat, so always swap coils and test under load rather than trusting a static resistance check.
  • Oil leaking from a worn valve cover gasket or spark plug tube seal can fill the cylinder 6 spark plug well, causing a misfire that returns shortly after replacing the plug unless the leak is fixed.
  • A misfire on cylinder 6 alone can be caused by a failing fuel injector that still clicks audibly, so listening for injector operation is not a reliable diagnostic test without measuring fuel delivery.
  • Nissan engines with variable valve timing can set a single-cylinder misfire code when the camshaft phaser or timing chain has jumped slightly, affecting cylinder 6 more than others due to oil passage routing.
  • A P1306 code does not always mean the ignition coil is bad; a vacuum leak at the intake manifold runner for cylinder 6 can lean out that cylinder and trigger the same misfire counter without any ignition fault.

Can I keep driving with P1306?

Avoid driving with a flashing check engine light or a constant misfire, because unburned fuel can overheat and destroy the catalytic converter within a short distance. If the light is steady and the misfire is intermittent, drive gently and only to a repair shop, keeping engine load low and avoiding hard acceleration.

Tools that help

Tools we recommend are in the Auto Veteran shop on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Guidance is general and written for Nissan vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.

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