I have a 98 Maxima with a tranny (Automatic) that just all of a sudden will not do anything. I was pulling out of my driveway and went off the high side a little and the car bumped down slightly to the street... then all of a sudden my transmission will not respond in anyway. I had no prior issues at all... no hard shifts, no slipping, no vibration.... nothing. Car was running perfect. I just cannot accept that this unit just let go all at once and out of nowhere like that. Any insight greatly appreciated.... car has just under 100K on it if that helps.... thank you!

 

That same thing happened to me in a 91 Pathfinder, driving along fine, hit a slight incline and the car just revved as if it was in neutral. No prior slippage, no nothing, just gone. It turned out to be the torque converter. Not a complete tranny rebuild, but still had to head to the transmission shop for $900.

Ended up toasting the tranny two weeks later after the shop messed up the seal and the tranny fluid leaked out on the highway, but that's another story for another day.

 

Look underneath for damage from hitting the curb or street or whatever. Could be a damaged wire, sensor, or pan damage causing the fluid pickup to suck air.

Sent from my XT1060 using Maxima

 

Do you think it possible that a pickup unit inside the pan may have jarred loose?

 

Im not familiar with Maxima A/Ts, but most A/Ts have the pan at the bottom with a plastic filter. YES, It's possible for the pan to have been dented and the filter broken, causing the trans to suck air rather than ATF.

Bottom line is the trans doesnt work so you have to do SOMETHING to figure it out. Jack it up and start looking for any physical damage.