1997 Maxima GXE Auto, Erratic shifting
 

Car has 169k. OD light was flashing 16 times when I started up (most of the time), speedo would just stop working (go dead) OR go erratic (replaced cluster about two weeks ago), sometimes car shifts normal and other times it gets all erratic and then goes into limp mode (stays in 3rd gear). Check engine light came on. Pulled codes a couple weeks ago (before changing cluster) and had p0500, p0600, p0720, p0130, p0136. Airbag and ABS lights were on when I bought it a month ago.

So anyway first thing done was replace the speed sensor on top of the tranny... about 3 weeks ago...but didn't seem to fix anything. We reset codes. As mentioned earlier also replaced cluster. Speedo hasn't gone "dead" since then, but still speedo needle and rpms will go crazy when shifting gets erratic.

So today I got a code reader and pulled codes again, now I have p0500, p0600, p0720 and 0734. I don't know what happened with p0130 and p0136 but they didn't come up. p0734 didn't come up before today.

Then I used the ECU method and counted the check engine light flashes. Four codes: Revolution Sensor, Speed Sensor, A/T Control Unit Signal to ECU, Improper shifting 4th gear...

I hope someone can assist...

Today pulled codes and the p0734 said pending. Just took a short 2 minute drive down a road next to where I live. Brought it up to 70 down and back, both times shifted into 4th gear.

Anyone have any thoughts?

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and yes I did use the search button and look around on the forums and google....

P0130 - Oxygen sensor, right bank, sensor 1 (also called upstream or front sensor).

P0136 - Oxygen sensor, after catalytic converter, sensor 2 (also called downstream or rear sensor).

P0500 - Vehicle speed sensor

P0600 - ECU is receiving incorrect voltage from transmission control module.

P0720 - Vehicle speed sensor.

P0734 - Improper shifting into 4th gear.

I hope you have at least checked the oil level in the transmission as low oil causes shifting problems.

You can run the built-in transmission self diagnostic. It starts in the middle of page AT-27 in the service manual, but I doubt that it will tell you anything that the check engine light did not.

The P0600 could be the TCM (Transmission Control Module) or the wiring or because of the P0734 code.

Since the P0600 does not show up all the time, I personally would work on the P0734 problem and see if the P0600 stays away.

The TCM sends a signal to the transmission to shift. This causes a solenoid inside the transmission to energize, causing the shift to happen. Chances are you have a bad solenoid. It is a replaceable part and you can do it yourself if you are willing to take the transmission apart. The transmission does not have to be taken out of the car.

There is a solenoid for each gear in the transmission. The down side is that you cannot buy just the one solenoid, you have to buy them all, making it more expensive.

Solenoids are Nissan part number 31940-80X25, $80.57 ( http://www.nissanpartszone.com/parts...940-80x25.html ).
This part number includes:
Oil Pan Bolt p/n 31377-80X09, qty 21.
Drain Plug Washer p/n 11026-01M02, qty 1.
Snap Ring p/n 31506-80X11.

The oil pan gasket does not come with the solenoids, it is part number 31397-80X01 ( http://www.nissanpartszone.com/parts...397-80x01.html ).

Of course you will need transmission oil (Dexron type), probably no more that 4 quarts, but could also be less.

I had improperly shifting into 4th gear. Fixed it by cleaning my grounds.
Also, on an accord it had a speed sensor code and erratic shifting/light-flickering.
Cleaned all grounds and it was perfect!
That's where I would start because you are getting random codes.
If you have an ohm meter, check some of the sensors that are throwing codes and the ECU.

Thank you both for the insight. The P0130 and P0136 went away for the past few weeks. The P0600 has always been there, and the P0734 is the new one that came on once then went into pending mode.

For assistance on replacing those VB solenoids search this 4th GEN forum with '31940-80X25' and you'll find many of tips and write-ups on how to replace them.

For tips on reinstalling the 21 bolted AT pan and replacing the ATF read this thread

https://maxima.org/showthread.php?p=8878888#post8878888

Thank you for the info!

So before I received any replies in this thread, I bought a TCM off ebay for 20 bucks shipped. Since I had it already and had some time, I figured I would put it in. I installed it and drove the car 18 miles to my mechanic. I had to pick up my Mustang anyway, so I had some other things on the Max for him to look at so I swapped the cars out.

Well, this trip is about 19 miles, and was the first time I ever drove that far without any haywire shifting or needle activity on the cluster, no dropping into neutral while in gear, no hard shifts into 2nd. I got pretty happy thinking perhaps I resolved the issue. I got to the shop, pulled the codes. I had p0500, p0600...and now p0720 AND p0734 were BOTH pending. I erased the codes.

I was hanging out at the shop, and after about an hour I took the Max on a short ride - maybe 5 miles. Well it didn't take long for it to start acting up again...overall seemed smoother and no hard shifts into second, but I started getting the crazy shifting and needle activity again and it dropped into neutral a couple of times. However, one thing it always did quite quickly in the past was go into safe mode and stay in 3rd gear. It didn't do that at all today. It also was able to shift into 4th gear all day long despite the p0734 code.

I passed all of the info you guys provided me to my mechanic so he'll dig deeper next week while I'm at work.