I have a 98 Maxima. Here are the symptoms I've detected:

1. On cold startup, the car makes a loud whirring/whining sound that lasts no more than 2 seconds.

2. Car idles a little rough, but after 2 minute warm-up it's seems okay.

3. Car shifts okay, has plenty of power.

4. When I press the O/D off button, I can accelerate okay.

5. When I take my foot off the gas and the car starts to decelerate on its own, I hear a loud whirring sound.

I took it to the dealer. He misdiagnosed it as a water pump. He then called me back and told me the Transmission needed to be replaced.
Cost - $2900!!

The car has only 68k miles on it. I can't believe a Maxima's transmission would fail at just 68k. After talking to some friends, some think it could be the transmission pump starting to go.

Questions:
1. Any recommendations on how to diagnose if it is the transmission?
2. Can the pump be replaced and transmission flushed to repair this if it is the transmission pump?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

take it to your mechanic. if it shifts ok its hard to believe the whole tranny needs to be replaced. i think that dealer is FOS.