Well I just put a used auto tranny in my max (1994 SE) and I've got this weird problem now. If I'm driving down the highway at a steady speed the car will stay in 3rd gear. When I give it lil gas and start accelrating slowly it will shift up into overdrive, but as soon as I let off or slow down it will downshift back to 3rd. Its driving me insane cuz its killing my gas mileage I hope someone can help me out w/ this.

Thanks,
Cole

 

Are there any other symtoms? You might just need to adjust the shift linkage, so that the inhibitor switch is functioning properly. If you didnt know, the inhibitor switch is where the cable ends at the tranny, and it tells the tranny ecu what gear you have selected. so all its doing is turning your mechanical action (pulling the shift selector) into an electrical signal. Another known problem is the bushing at both ends of the shift cable, there should be a nylon bushing at both ends (they are known to break and fall off the car, Its happened to me), the one under the shifter is above the cat. convertors heat sheild under the car.

These are just a couple common issues that may help solve the problem. no guarantees

 

Thanks, I will def. check these out. I did forget to mention 1 thing. When I put the car in 1 or 2, it drives just like its in D...goes through all the gears just like normal. If you come up w/ any other suggestions, please let me know.
Cole

 

Then its definity the shift cable that needs to be adjusted!!

There is a pair of nuts on a long thread, thats used to adjust the lenth of the cable. You should also verify that both bushing are in place.

See, if there is enough info posted anything can be solved

 

go with ecrics idea Ive seen that problem before on mine and it was the cables.

 

well its not solved yet...i dont have time today to check it out...i shoulda been in bed 2 hours ago. I gotta work tonight 11-7. So I will check it out tomorrow. I will let you know what happens. Thanks a lot

 

well i got under the car, tightened the shift cable (by the cat), that didn't help anything. so i got back under there and went the opposite direction w/ it. Still no help. Anymore suggestions?? Oh, and I called up Courtesy Nissan to see what they thought (I've always heard good things about them) and the guy just said he thought it was my tranny and that I should take it to my local dealer. Not a whole lot of help. Hopefully some of you on here can help me out.

 

Did you verify that both bushings are in place? When one of mine broke (it took forever to figure it out) the car would just fall out of gear, oddly enough when going up hill sometimes! The bushing thats above the cat heat sheild is very difficult to get at, but if the car is on ramps its not so bad.

Also when you adjust the cable you have adjust very SLOWLY, it only takes a half turn to effect the sensor. You have to figure out which way it needs to go, in relation to the position of the shift lever.

 

well hell...maybe you should take a road trip out here and help me out