Especially when cold my Max has problems shifting gears - mostly from first. Sometimes gets as high as 5000 rpm on just casual acceleration. When it does shift, it is not hard or anything. Seems to go away when warm but I have noticed premature or erratic shifting in the lower gears even when warm. Is this a computer problem or perhaps a tranny issue? Just had a 90K service completed - not sure if fluid was replaced at that time. Thanks.

 

I'm no tranny expert but I would guess that's a problem with the shift solenoid.

 

There are several tests you can make with the fluid on the automatic transmission dipstick.

1) Level. It should be up to the full mark. If not, add as required.

2) Color. It should be bright red and translucent. A brown or black color is a sign of fluid degraded by excessive heat, and/or worn friction materials. A minty pink color is a sign of water contamination.

3) Odor. It should have a clean oily smell. A burned odor is a sign of fluid degraded by excessive heat.

4) Feel. Wipe the dipstick with your fingers and then rub your fingers together. It should be smooth and slippery. A "gritty" feeling is a sign of worn friction materials.

Sometimes the service life of a transmission can be extended by changing the fluid. Automatic transmission fluid is loaded with detergents, so new fluid can clean the insides of the transmission. If you decide to do this, find a shop that uses the Magic Sucker Pump which removes all of the old fluid. An ordinary drain-and-refill changes only about half of the fluid.

 

I've been "lurking" here for about 2 months now, and never had the courage to post...but when I saw this I just had to.
I bought my '95 GXE auto used with 61K on it...ran super for about a month before mine started slippin' from 1st to 2nd...at first, just when cold, but now, intermittently when hot, as well. 2nd to 3rd, 3rd to 4th is fine. I've had the fluid flushed TWICE since then...problem still persists.
So what gives? Bad TCM? Shift solenoids? I bought one of those aftermarket "gold" warranties good for two years...should I be taking advantage of this?=) Come to think of it...it's starting to make that unnerving "chain rattle" noise addressed in another post too...

By the way, a little shameless butt-kissing here...all of you have taught me quite a bit about this little piggy, and I appreciate it...building 400HP small-block Chevys was getting REAL old...this is a cool new challenge. Thanks for all your (indirect) help!

 

The factory service manual has a Symptom Chart. Your symptom correlates with these On Vehicle Check Items (in order of recommended inspection):
1) Fluid level
2) Throttle Position Sensor (adjustment)
3) Line pressure
4) Accumulator servo release
5) Control valve assembly

 

I believe this is a common problem on some 95-96 models. My 95 auto does the hard shift when engine is cold. Tranny fluid checked out fine. Car seems to run fine after it warms up. Apparently this problem has also happened on some 2000 models too.

 

Rebuild? Replace? Am I in for my first Nissan dealership experience? (shudder)....

 

Relax. Buy a factory service manual. Buy some metric tools. Proceed with a series of thoughtful diagnostic steps. Perhaps you need nothing more than to adjust your Throttle Position Sensor. Love those zero dollar repairs!

 

So it is written, so it shall be done. If I can build a Chevy V8, I can certainly handle
this...(famous last words!)

Now where do I get a factory service manual?=)

 

Yep, I gotta get one of those Haynes manuals. One of these days it'll really come in handy.

 

In the USA ...

Dyment Distribution Services
20770 Westwood Road
Strongsville, Ohio 44136
1-800-247-5321
(Dyment accepts payment by credit card)


In Canada ...

Nissan Canada, Inc.
P.O. Box 1709, Station "B"
Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4H6
1-800-387-0122


If new manuals for your model are no longer available, you may be able to
find one on the secondary market.

This fellow deals in used factory service manuals.
http://www.swapmeet2000.com/


This is another good source of used factory service manuals:
****son Street Bookshop
325 West ****son
Fayetteville, AR 72701
dsbooks@ipa.net
I bought one from ****son and recommend them.
The book was fairly priced, in good condition, and shipped promptly.


Keep an eye on the eBay auction site. They often have manuals for sale.
http://listings.ebaymotors.com/aw/li...029/index.html
In the search field, enter: nissan factory manual

 

No no no...the FSM is completely different from a Haynes or a Chilton's...those are
what we "Joe Shadetree" types get at our local parts store. The FSM is what the
boys in the Nissan uniforms get. It's far more detailed and probably more expensive...

 

Absolutely. The factory more is more detailed as they should be. But for simple DIY repairs and diagnostics, the Haynes should be fine. I'm not about to take apart my transmission or anything like that, so I wouldn't need a factory one.

 

The aftermarket manuals are a good choice for most owner-mechanics. Haynes is better than Chiltons. For a detailed comparison of manuals, see http://vbxmaxima.8m.com/manualcompare.html

 

I have a similar problem but it happened after i got my water pump replaced. 95 max automatic. usually it would shift out of first at around 4-5k rpm weather cold or hot. I didnt have this problem before. It doesn't feel like its transmission. Hopefully its got nothing to do with the timing or anything like that. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

Hello guys. I have a 95 auto. I got he fluid change at the dealer at 180k and I think that is the reason for my problems. My trany was fine and now it is near shot..

1st. after getting the fluid change worked well during summer but during winter it started to slip a bit from gear to gear. (cold weather)

2nd. a second problem: when starting in the morning the car goes off when shift to D (drive) unless I put it on P (park) and rev the engine to 4k or 5k the put it back in D and drive away -note that it would slip a bit at first- then switch back and forth from one gear to the other while driving -(cold)

3rd. now the car does not have reverse. - it wants to go forward even on N (Neutral) and it wasn't switching to a lower gear. then I put it on N (I had traction!!! so no N) and started switching again. I parked. left it along for an hour and then put in P accelerate, I hear some little noise -like TICK- and then R (reverse) back and to work almost normally. but now it really slips. it's scary to drive.

Any Help, please

 

first off, you guys realize you bumped a thread from 2001, right??? second off, your trannys toast unless your fluid's low or your shift selinoid is gone. but, missing reverse is a sure sign that the torque converters goin south. check tranny fluid when warm and running. did you take it to a mechanic yet?? im sure he's gonna tell you the same thing.

 

Ask around here. Some of our members have the FSM for free download. I did it and Have the PDF, but forget where I got it from. Check FAQ.