The ignition module helps a vehicle's ignition system maintain enough spark to start the engine, and any problems in its components can adversely impact the car's performance. Nissan, a Japanese automobile manufacturer, recalled over 2.1 million cars worldwide in 2010 because of ignition module problems in several of its vehicles, such as the 2003 Pathfinder and Xterra. Symptoms of a ignition control problem in a Nissan are similar to those in other vehicles.
Faulty electrical relays inside of a Nissan's ignition module can cause the engine to lose power and fail to crank when the ignition switch is turned. The vehicle may suddenly cut off while you are driving, particularly when decreasing speed, and will often not start again. This may be a result of silicon vapor forming on the wires of the electrical relay, which supplies electricity to the ignition module.
If your Nissan's engine does not maintain a stable temperature, the ignition module may be faulty. The engine's temperature is regulated by a heat sensor that sends data to a gauge on the vehicle's dashboard. If the temperature rises above normal, the pointer on the gauge will rise, indicating the engine is too hot. If this happens, the vehicle may have problems accelerating and suddenly stall, but will restart once the engine cools off. This cycle of overheating, shutting down and restarting will continue until excessive heat damage prevents the engine from starting at all.
A bad ignition module on a Nissan can cause acceleration issues. The vehicle may jerk or tremble when you hit the gas pedal. Instead of speeding up, it may slow down or hesitate at increased speeds, especially when moving from a complete stop. You may also feel strong vibrations from the engine while driving at high speeds.
