Faulty ignition coil or spark plug boot on the rear bank; Worn or fouled spark plug on the rear bank; Damaged or corroded wiring in the spark plug voltage detection circuit; Poor electrical connection at the ignition coil harness; Failed spark plug voltage detection sensor or module (if equipped separately); Engine control module (ECM) internal fault affecting the detection circuit; Aftermarket ignition components that do not produce the expected voltage signal

DTC codes / Nissan codes / P1317

P1317 · NissanSpark Plug Voltage Detection Circuit Malfunction Rear Bank

Q: What does code P1317 mean?

Spark Plug Voltage Detection Circuit Malfunction Rear Bank. P1317 on Nissan vehicles indicates that the engine control module (ECM) has detected an abnormal signal from the spark plug voltage detection circuit for the rear bank of cylinders. The circuit monitors ionization or spark voltage to confirm combustion quality, and the ECM sets this code when the signal is out of expected range or missing entirely.

P1317 on Nissan vehicles indicates that the engine control module (ECM) has detected an abnormal signal from the spark plug voltage detection circuit for the rear bank of cylinders. The circuit monitors ionization or spark voltage to confirm combustion quality, and the ECM sets this code when the signal is out of expected range or missing entirely.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeNissan specific

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaIgnition system and misfire

Symptoms you may notice

Illumination of the check engine light, often with no other noticeable symptoms
Rough idle or misfire sensation, especially when the engine is cold
Slight hesitation or stumble during acceleration
Reduced fuel economy due to inefficient combustion
In rare cases, a flashing check engine light if the misfire becomes severe

Common causes, most likely first

Faulty ignition coil or spark plug boot on the rear bank
Worn or fouled spark plug on the rear bank
Damaged or corroded wiring in the spark plug voltage detection circuit
Poor electrical connection at the ignition coil harness
Failed spark plug voltage detection sensor or module (if equipped separately)
Engine control module (ECM) internal fault affecting the detection circuit
Aftermarket ignition components that do not produce the expected voltage signal

How to diagnose and fix it

Inspect the rear bank spark plugs and ignition coils for visible damage, wear, or oil fouling
Check the wiring harness and connectors at each rear bank ignition coil for corrosion or loose pins
Swap a known-good ignition coil from another cylinder to see if the code follows the coil
Measure resistance of the spark plug voltage detection circuit wiring and compare to factory specifications
Test the spark plug voltage detection sensor (if separate) with a multimeter or oscilloscope
Replace faulty spark plugs, ignition coils, or detection sensor as needed
Clear the code and perform a road test to verify the repair

What Nissan Technicians Check First for P1317

The rear bank on transverse V6 Nissan engines is often buried under the intake plenum, so technicians frequently find worn spark plugs or coils that were missed during routine service.
A loose or corroded ground connection at the rear bank ignition coil can mimic a failed detection circuit, so always verify grounds before replacing parts.
Aftermarket ignition coils sometimes produce a different voltage signature that the ECM interprets as a fault, even though the engine runs fine.
P1317 can be set by a simple misfire that does not trigger a P0300 code, so do not assume the detection circuit itself is defective without checking spark quality.
On some Nissan models, the spark plug voltage detection circuit is integrated into the ECM, and a faulty ECM is a rare but possible cause after all other checks pass.

Can I keep driving with P1317?

You can generally continue driving with P1317 as long as the check engine light is steady and the engine runs smoothly, but avoid heavy acceleration or towing until the fault is repaired. If the light flashes or you notice pronounced misfiring, stop driving and have the vehicle inspected promptly to prevent catalytic converter damage.

Tools that help

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