Error code: 21 Ignition primary signal

Tiny
SUNSARO67
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 NISSAN SKYLINE
  • 2.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 87,000 MILES
It is straight six cylinder. RWD

Lack of power, backfiring in the exhaust. High consumption of fuel.

Had a physical check of the spark plugs and they all look like they are firing good.

Could it be the o2 sensor, if not what could it be?
Monday, December 3rd, 2018 AT 1:29 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,256 POSTS
It sounds like it jumped time let's confirm by doing a compression test. Here is a guide to help walk you through the test:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Please run down this guide and report back.

Cheers, Ken

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Tuesday, December 4th, 2018 AT 12:29 PM
Tiny
SUNSARO67
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Thank you for your reply. I have done the compression test as you have asked.
The reading are: 125, 75,110, 0,125,170 psi from 1-6 cylinders respectively.
Has the timing belt slipped? Please reply
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Wednesday, December 5th, 2018 AT 9:11 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Looks like you have problems, burnt valves or broken piston/rings. The head will need to come off for an inspection. Please let me know what you find.
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Thursday, December 6th, 2018 AT 9:25 AM
Tiny
SUNSARO67
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Hi Ken,

I didn't have enough time after the new year break, anyway I finished the skyline head installation last week. After the head removal we noticed the head gasket had been blown and couple of valves found leaking during the vacuum test. Head was repaired by a pro, the repair involved resurfacing, valve grinding and clearance setting. After completion of the head installation job the car started straightaway but the power was not enough when driving. The check engine light was on. ( Check engine light was appearing before the repair work also.) I checked the sparks. Two of the spark plugs (5 and 6) had no indication of firing. As all spark plugs are new and after finding the power and earth good in the wire harness, I suspected the coils. After replacing the coils with the new ones the power is back but the check engine light keeps coming on. All cylinders have 180 psi compression. Car is running perfectly.

The error code is 21 which is for "Ignition primary signal". Cleared the cord but reappears.

Now, Ken I have few questions on this matter. I feel uneasy without knowing the answers. As you are an expert I hope you will help me.

What could be the cause for the blown gasket? Why were the valves leaking?

Which could have happened earlier, the coils going bad or the gasket getting blown?

Is the ignition module faulty?

Where is the location of this module?

I will be very grateful for your explanation.

Kind regards,

Raj
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Saturday, February 9th, 2019 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Hi Raj,

The valves and head gast are time/mileage related and there is not to much that can be done about that. As far as the code goes try to clear it now that the engine is running good. This code is triggered when the ignition system has a spike. Do you have new plug wires, coil wire?
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Saturday, February 9th, 2019 AT 6:40 PM
Tiny
SUNSARO67
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Coil on plug system. Replaced all coils with new one but the wire harness is not replaced. I think that the ECM controls the ignition and there is no ignition module.
So do you think the problem is with the coil wire harness?
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Sunday, February 10th, 2019 AT 4:04 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, it sounds like you have high resistance in one or more wires. here is a guide to help you test with the engine wiring diagrams below:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find.
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Sunday, February 10th, 2019 AT 10:40 AM

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