teg92

I've got a new problem with my Maxima, occasionally while increasing throttle from a steady position, the car will erratically downshift and then return to original gear. At all times the "comfort/power" switch is on comfort, and when this happens the power light goes on and sometimes flashes about 5 times or more.

I have no idea what is causing this problem and if its a common problem or not. Perhaps it is a sensor? does the ATF need to be flushed & replaced?

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

get it scanned by the (ouch) Dealer.
That flashing is an error code as to what has / is failing / failed on your trans.
Or search for the tranny codes. don't know where to find em personally


Oh and it's good to know I'm not the only VE a/t on here

teg92

So that power light flashing is the equivalent of a CEL flashing for signaling ECU error codes? Do haynes manuals have these code lists?

longjuanfeng

Check this link for how to pull the codes ...

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=140680

I've used it on my Auto and it does work.

teg92

Well I tried this out and the self diagnostic turns out OK.

Does this reveal all codes until reset or does this have to be done soon after it occurs? I didn't do the test with a warm engine, but the last trip the car made it did it a few times....

teg92

bumping for any new ideas

longjuanfeng

Since you're out of ideas - here's one (extreme longshot):

Check your sparkplugs (make sure they're screwed in tight into their bores). My max at one time started acting like the tranny was bad. Shifting down/up at oddball times, very weird. Sometimes it would work fine. I took it to three tranny shops and two said it needed a new tranny, one said he didn't know what the problem was and to get it looked at by a Nissan specialist. I then had a Nissan performance shop look at it and they found one plug not screwed in all the way! They said that when the plug would 'jiggle' in the bore, it would 'glitch' the entire vehicles ground bus. This would cause the ECU and tranny control unit to puke and do weird things. They tightened up the plug and that was the end of the problem. Who'da thunk a plug problem could cause what looked like a mis-shifting tranny?
I doubt seriously that this is your problem but that's all I can come up with, other than BAD TRANNY.

teg92

Thanks for the reply! I agree though that it is a long shot. I've checked all of the basics.

Today I did notice that the power light DOES come on when I get those occasional erratic downshifts, and it sometimes followed by 16 short flashes... while driving...

Any ideas there?

longjuanfeng

No, unfortunately. The 'power' light IS the self-diagnostic indicator lamp, so I think it's trying to tell you something. You sure you're not getting a code out when you initiate self-diags? 16 pulses does not match what's supposed to come out of the self-diag system. Should be a start pulse followed by 10 diag pulses. Hate to say it, but you may need the dealer.

teg92

Yup, no code when I do self diag, either hot or cold.

I only get the 16 codes occasionally immediately after the power light goes on for a long pulse during the erratic downshifts....

I'm gonna go see a dealer tomorrow, speak to the mechanic over there. I happen to be a mechanic student so I've got no problems speaking to them directly!

Minty91GXE

iTrader: (3)

its a long shot but:

you are the only person that i have ever seen with this problem besides myself. i dont know how i dug this up but i've done a lot more reseach than i did on my senior thesis...

did you ever solve the problem?!
yes i know it was 2 years ago and you've not been back...
worth a shot.
tom

Wiking

TPS signal is used in A/T controls. TCU initiates gear swap: if its inputs are cargabe [physically oxidized, corroded], car bage comes out...

Clean/repair TPS: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/6 CLEAN all electronics connections, not just TCU. Check voltage level at batt, TCU. I just wonder how its possible NOT to read this info on this forum. Click on: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/748507/15

Yes, I know TPS location etc is not equal in VGE, but if that poses a problem, then stealer$hip ripoff is the only solution.

ghettoshark

how did u get a automatic in there? as far as i know they only came in manual. please reply, as i have a old 93 se but the manual tranny is broken and i have a auto tranny in my gxe. and i want to get back in it with a automatic.

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

mine came stock with the A/T
it was an option on the SEs (all years)
your GXE trans won't last behind the VE, if you're lucky it lives behind the VG in your GXE.

if you weren't in houston I'd sell you my whole car. easier than swapping

ghettoshark

oh well, i'll find one :: , they'll be in a big city in houston on sale, thats the good part of houston.

eric93SE

iTrader: (1)

My tranny CEL blinked but didn't throw a code when my shift cable bushings were missing. There are two nylon bushing, one at the ends of the shift cable, they break and fall off the car. the one thats hard to get at is above the catalytic convertor heat shield (remove the shields bolts and slide it back). if you find one broke/missing then replace both of them, its like $5.


edit: if you've never done a tranny drain/fill, then do it!