Nissan Repair: 2000 Nissan Maxima Ignition Coil Locations, nissan maxima ignition coil, nissan maxima

Question
QUESTION: Hi Calvin.  I have done some online research regarding the issue I am having with my 2000 Nissan Maxima kind of "stuttering" when I start it (I also have my Service Engine Soon light on).  It seems like this is a very common problem with 2000 Maximas and it is related to a faulty ignition coil.  Sure enough I went to Autozone and they checked the SES code and it was a P1320 ignition signal issue with an additional P0301 #1 cylinder misfire detected.  It seems to me that this is telling me that the #1 cylinder ignition coil needs to be replaced.  Since I am a poor college student, I am trying to figure out the cheapest way to replace this coil (and avoid changing all 6 for the time being).  I have some friends who are car savvy who might be able to help me out with the replacement, I would just need to buy the ignition coil.  However, I do need a little bit of help with figuring out what some things are:

1) How do I know which cylinder is the #1 cylinder?  My owner's manual only shows where the six ignition coils/spark plugs are located, but does not denote which is #1, #2, #3 and so on.  

2) Based on what I have read from the TSB issued about this problem, the location of the coil that needs to be replaced could require a different part # ignition coil depending where it is located (front or back row if looking from in front of car).  Can you help me determine which part number I would need to get from a site such as courtesynissan.com?  

Thank you very much for any help you can provide!  This is a great service and I learned a lot from reading through some prior questions/responses, now I just need some of my more specific questions answered to help clear up some of my confusion.


Maxima   ANSWER: Hi Timothy -

The number one cylinder is the first one on the left as you look at the FRONT of the engine, where the belts are. For your info, the cylinders go 1,3,5 on the left, and 2,4,6 on the right, firing order is 1,2,3,4,5,6.

Now that you know the location of #1, just mention it to the person you get the part from and they will give you the right coil.

I can get it for about $80. Anything near that price would be a good cost.

Hope this helps -
aloha
calvin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your response.  I am still a little bit confused as to the exact location.  Can you tell me which ignition coil #1 would be based on the picture at the bottom of this page. (http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1i/bl039i.htm).  

Also, I did a quick search on eBay and there are places that are selling all six coils I would need (3 left and 3 right) for $189 total and claim they are brand new.  Is it possible that the parts would be of good quality or are deals like that typically for sub-par parts? Is that something you would suggest?

Thanks again!

Answer
Hi Timothy -

It is the first one on the right bank.

It is hard to determine if the coils on ebay are authentic and brand new. Sometimes the pictures they show are not the actual product they send, so all I can say is you are taking a chance. It is a good price for all six, though. Take a look at the sellers ratings and see if it looks like he can be trusted.

Hope this helpa -
aloha
calvin