Hi fellas. I’ve just registered last week but I’ve visited this site a few times before. Great site!

I live in Melbourne in the state of Victoria, Australia. I own a 1997 Maxima G auto that I bought in August 2000. It had 38,000km when I bought it and it’s already up to 49,000km. I traded a 1988 Nissan R31 Skyline, which was very hard to part with (it was such a great car), but I wanted an update. I’ve had an auto trans problem with the Max (that didn’t show up in the test drive) pretty much ever since I bought it. I’m hoping for some advice as the 2 dealer workshops I’ve taken it to don’t think there is a problem (and don’t seem to know much about Maximas). The problem is upshift from first to second can be quite harsh sometimes, especially in the first 10-15mins of driving. Second to third seems to be OK. As the Max has an electronically controlled trans I’m not sure how the hydraulic pressure is controlled (I assume the TPS is used indirectly to control a valve in the tranny). But no errors show up from the ECU. How smooth is everyone else’s auto gearshift?

Also when slowing down and coming to a stop, the tranny never downshifts to second, it goes straight to first at about 5km/h (and it’s a noticable shift). Is this normal? It’s been back 4 times with no improvement and I’m feeling a little disappointed with my Max….but at least I’ve got the extended warranty.

Thanks for any help.

 

This is one of the first times I'm helping out someone on this forum, because I'm still a newbie here. But I thought since your question isn't too specific, I'll try to help.

About your upshift from 1st to 2nd...I've already read about your problem, and to me it seems normal. My 96 Maxima also does the same thing, and I'm sure many others with 4th gens will agree. One thing you could do is check the Trans. fluid, if that hasn't already been done. Other than that, there isn't really anything else you can do about that upshift. Maybe someone else knows something, but I'm pretty sure for the most part that it's just the way the Maxima works, and the only other car that can give you a smoother ride would be the Toyota Camry (I read about this on another thread).

Now, to the downshift all the way to 1st. I'm not really sure what you're saying about this, but if anyone else reads about your problem, I'd sure like to know too. Honestly when I slow down, I can't really feel anything. Maybe I haven't been paying attention.

Well have a good time with MAXIMA.ORG. Trust me once you're comfortable with the way this forum works, you'll be addicted and can't stop moddin' the car!

 

There have been various posts over the auto's 1-2 shift, and beyond checking the tranny fluid, this seems to be a very common problem that after a while you just accept(a still hate). Never have noticed the downshift to first thing though.

 

This information comes from the '99 Maxima factory service manual. I think it applies to your '97 also.

Symptom: Too sharp a shock in change from D1 to D2.

Possible causes, in the order which they should be checked:
1) Adjustment of Throttle Position Sensor
2) Line pressure
3) Accumulator servo release
4) Control valve assembly
5) ATF temperature sensor

All of these "check items" may be tested without removing the transmission from the vehicle. Since your "harsh shift" symptom is pronounced in the early part of the trip, I suggest you deviate from the ordered list (above) and check the ATF temperature sensor first.

 

A harsh 1-2 shift is normal for the Maxima's automatic, which simply is not as refined and smooth as other automatics like in GM's or Toyotas. In fact, my automatic's 1-2 shift when the fluid is cold is downright jerky (rocks me in my seat).


As for downshifting while slowing down, you are so lucky! My Maxima doesn't downshift to 1st unless I come to a complete stop (or slow down to like 1 MPH). What happens is when I slow down at a stop sign, and if I don't stop completely, when I accelerate out, the transmission will stick in either 2nd or 3rd gear and the acceleration will be agonizingly slow. It's nothing wrong with the transmission, just horrible shift logic from the transmission computer.

 

adjust the tps clockwise a tid bit to smooth out the 1st to 2nd gear jerk. Thats what i did and i didnt have a prob ever since.Moving the tps counterclockwise and your tranny is going to painfully bang into 2nd gear.To much line pressure. The tps,ecu,tcm talks to each other.

 

NINE YEARS MAN!!! NINE YEARS!!! WHY????

 

least he sounds like he knows what hes talking about.