4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999) Visit the 4th Generation forum to ask specific questions or find out more about the 4th Generation Maxima.

Auto shifts hard. Why?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-27-2002, 01:58 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Zirafa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 274
Auto shifts hard. Why?

My automatic transmission shifts hard in all gears all the time. I doubt that the lady that had it before me had the VB mod done.
What could it be? Trans going bad? No CEL.
(95 GXE, auto, 84K, will change ATF asap)
Zirafa is offline  
Old 12-27-2002, 02:26 PM
  #2  
Maximaniac
iTrader: (1)
 
cmac95gxe's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Bronx, NY
Posts: 803
It could be you tranny or engine mounts. You might want to have them checked.
cmac95gxe is offline  
Old 12-27-2002, 04:00 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
DCmax's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,784
Possibly lack of ATF.
DCmax is offline  
Old 12-27-2002, 04:55 PM
  #4  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (3)
 
deezo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: FV, NC
Posts: 14,287
Something could be wrong with the line pressure sensor. If it malfunctions, it could make the transmission shift like it has the VB mod.
deezo is offline  
Old 12-27-2002, 04:56 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
buss95max's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,991
low on fluid..its ur tranny screaming for mercy.
buss95max is offline  
Old 12-27-2002, 04:56 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
MaxEffect414's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 723
What happens if you put too much ATF???
MaxEffect414 is offline  
Old 12-27-2002, 06:38 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Zirafa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 274
In case I need to add ATF - does anyone know what brand/grade AT fluid Nissan dealers use (I wouldn't like to mix different grades)?
Zirafa is offline  
Old 12-27-2002, 07:06 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
buss95max's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,991
maxeff- if you have a little bit too much its ok. if its way over..drain some out, and try to bolt on while all that fluid is gushing out.


zir- dealer ATF is overpriced. get the same grade of ATF as the one nissan recommends(dextron III) and you'll be just fine. i use vavoline(blue bottle, not the high milage red bottle) ATF for over 100,000 miles now. i drain/refill ~13,000miles though..
buss95max is offline  
Old 12-27-2002, 09:36 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
MaxEffect414's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 723
But what would happen if i put too much and how would i know if i put too much fluid because everytime i pull the stick out the thing i only see tranny fluid on the dead edge of the stick but i put in about 6 1/2 to 7 QT after i changed the gasket.
MaxEffect414 is offline  
Old 12-27-2002, 11:02 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Dave Holmes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 866
Originally posted by MaxEffect414
But what would happen if i put too much and how would i know if i put too much fluid because everytime i pull the stick out the thing i only see tranny fluid on the dead edge of the stick but i put in about 6 1/2 to 7 QT after i changed the gasket.
When checking your fluid, make sure it is warm (drive around for a little while). Leave engine running, on level surface, in park. Fluid, if new, will look mainly clear on the stick (it'll actually just look wet). Wipe off the stick, insert, then pull it out and check. I always do that 3 times or so just to make sure I'm getting a consistent reading. If it is anywhere in the cross-hatch area, it's good to go. If lower, add only a few ounces (4-6) at a time through the dipstick tube (funnel really helps). Drive around some more, then re-check.
If you put in 6 1/2 -7 quarts after changing the gasket, it may be over-filled. When I drained mine, it took exactly 4 1/2 quarts (I measured what came out). A little over full shouldn't hurt. I've heard that being really over-filled can blow seals, but I've never experienced it.

Dave
Dave Holmes is offline  
Old 12-28-2002, 02:23 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
MaxEffect414's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 723
Thanks, i will do that but i let it drain like for 52 mins so everything came out. but when i did drain it filled up a 7 1/2 quart bucket and then i had to move that and drain more and that was from stock.
Trance
MaxEffect414 is offline  
Old 12-28-2002, 03:10 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
D1NOnly34's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,663
Originally posted by MaxEffect414
Thanks, i will do that but i let it drain like for 52 mins so everything came out. but when i did drain it filled up a 7 1/2 quart bucket and then i had to move that and drain more and that was from stock.
Trance
I have a similar problem, but instead of shifting hard in all gears, its only from first to second. I doubt it could be engine mounts, maybe ATF, any thoughts?
D1NOnly34 is offline  
Old 12-28-2002, 04:37 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
patel_anu's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 457
Originally posted by D1NOnly34


I have a similar problem, but instead of shifting hard in all gears, its only from first to second. I doubt it could be engine mounts, maybe ATF, any thoughts?
yeahh, i encounter the same problem, i was wondering what the problem was too, anyone??

anu
patel_anu is offline  
Old 12-28-2002, 05:44 PM
  #14  
Member who somehow became The President of The SE-L Club
iTrader: (19)
 
njmaxseltd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 16,033
Originally posted by D1NOnly34
I have a similar problem, but instead of shifting hard in all gears, its only from first to second. I doubt it could be engine mounts, maybe ATF, any thoughts?
Cold, the Maxima tranny shifts hard 1st to 2nd. Once it warms up a bit, the shifts get smoother. Thats a sure sign that your fluid is at the end of it's life. Have it flushed out and possibly switched over to synthetic fluid. The shifts with synthetic fluid is a lill smoother.
njmaxseltd is offline  
Old 12-28-2002, 06:12 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Romeo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 966
Originally posted by deezo
Something could be wrong with the line pressure sensor. If it malfunctions, it could make the transmission shift like it has the VB mod.
if the line pressure was malfuntioning, wouldn't you get the CEL and flashing o/d light like with the drop resistor mod?
Romeo is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Unclejunebug
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
10
04-02-2016 05:42 AM
hayne
6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008)
2
10-05-2015 11:53 AM
ef9
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
10
10-04-2015 08:43 AM



Quick Reply: Auto shifts hard. Why?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:47 AM.