newjerz

All so over the weekend, my wife was driving with the kids on the highway and after she slowed down for the toll, the car wouldn't accelerate or move in D, 1, or 2. When you press the gas in any of these gears the car makes a loud grinding noise. However, the car does move in reverse. I'm thinking this is a major tranny issue. Anyone know what the problem could specifically be.

Its a 99 GLE, automatic transmission, with 160K miles on it.

When I get home tonight, I'm going to do the Transmission control module self diagnostic procedure.

I'll have to get a car towed to a shop but before I do so, I'm trying to get an idea of what i'm getting myself into. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

newjerz

Did the tranny diagnostic and all judgement flickers were short. Anyone have an idea? Car only shifts to R. Will not shift to D, 1, or 2.

asand1

iTrader: (1)

What do you mean doesnt shift? ingage, or actual shifter movement? Do you hear grinding when placed in forward gears, as was inicated in the first post?

newjerz

Let me clarify...I can move the shift selector but the car grinds when in the forward gears. Thanks for responding.

asand1

iTrader: (1)

Does the speedometer move in the forward gears? Has there been any recent work with the axles?

newjerz

The speedometer doesn't move in forward gears and there has been no recent work with the axles.

cashoit

yeah man u prolly need to stop talkin to us and hit the tranny shop...

jus sayin ...

clive

If it still works in reverse, the turbine is still OK.

Some important questions:
Is it pissing tranny fluid? What is the fluid level? How does the fluid smell, does it have a 'burnt' odour? What does it look like? You can tell a lot about a tranny just by draining the oil and dropping the pan.

At this point you basically have two options:
1. Get the tranny repaired.
2. Find a used tranny on a junker or maybe from an org member. A member would be better.

Issues for No. 1: Really the gold standard option, for if u want to keep the car a long time. For instance I had a gen 3 tranny completely, and I mean completely, rebuilt from the case up, all brand new friction material and a rebuilt turbine, for around US$500 (equivalent in pesos) and it was like silk afterward. But in the US labour costs way more.

I wouldn't mess with the tranny by trying it, if I were you. It can have consequences. Some idiot tried to drive my daughter's Sentra after the tranny blew, and the casing fractured, so it was a complete write-off.

Issues for No. 2: You really don't know how much mileage it's going to do before it, too, claps out. The one that blew on the Sentra was itself off a junker and only did about 10,000 miles before it was scrap. It's the luck of the draw. But an org member might be swapping to manual, for instance, and then you'd be told it's condition truthfuly, I should hope.

newjerz

Thanks for the input Clive. I don't want to let this baby go but the wifey is pressuring me. I had this car since Feb 99...so much sentimental value in it! I love this car! Will have some soul searching to do this weekend.

clive

Yeah, I know what you mean. My '96 isn't worth anything really - I keep it on the road and properly maintained because there comes a point when the car is worth a lot more to you than anyone else, because only you know what's been put into it. Got to try to be unemotional about it. After my wife bought a 05 Altima recently, I decided I still prefer to drive my Max, which is 9 years older, because it's more comfortable, quicker, has all the electric stuff, the sunroof, and so on . . .

newjerz

yeah I hear you man. I'm not ready to give up on this yet. The fluid color is nice and red/pink, doesn't look burnt. When you put the car in a forward gear, it wants to move and nudges forward a little and then you hear a bump or thud, then a movement and another thud likes it's bumping along. I'm currently parked on a slight slope with the car facing down hill and when in N, the car doesn't move at all. starting to think...axle related. She moves in R just fine. Maybe drive shaft? I'll try to record on a video and post it on youtube.

asand1

iTrader: (1)

If it was a drive shaft your speedo would react, it runs off the ring gear(diff). Im afraid your trans is fragged. I dont know my way indside of an auto trans, but probably a planetary or someting affecting forward gears only.

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

You can pick up used tranny's for around 200-300 bucks. I would do that and get it installed for about another 300.

cashoit

Agree with Kevlo...

You talkin like its gonna take 1000s of dollars to replace the tranny. If u find a decent miles tranny we talking maybe 700-800 bucks and u back on the road.

ashychelle

My transmission went out in my 2005 maxima n I have a friend with a 2000 maxima. Both are v6. Would it b compatible to trade them out? Thanks!!

cashoit

no they are not compatible. U would need a bunch of donor parts from the donor car and even then im still not sure about it workins