99 manual trans, just got the car and trying to change the fluid but the drain plug is completely stuck. WD-40, Torched it nice and good a few times, smacked it with a hammer the best I could, stripped it with my open 12mm wrench, dremmeled it down to 7/16 to strip it some more. Ive got an inch and a half of space between the crossbar and then there's the other bar beside the plug so there's not really any space other than half a turn with an open wrench. At this point I'm gonna take my amsoil to a shop and have them do it how much you think it would be if I gave them the fluid to do it

Edit: I was googling images of drain plugs, the only time I ever changed the fluid on one of these trannies it was via the 'plug' I've been trying to remove but there's a sensor on the opposite side of the crossmember I saw an almost identical sensor used as a drain plug on Google images for a 2000 maxima. A lot more space on that side and probably not as incredibly seized up I'll give it a go in the morning

 

There is another, perhaps more important plug in the transmission case.

The fill plug.

Always good practice to remove that first.

Sometimes the drain plug comes out easy, the fill plug not so much. Then you have yourself a real problem.

Yo can bet the same mechanic who used the air wrench on the drain plug also tightened the fill plug.

 

I drained mine by removing the vehicle speed sensor. This removed all the fluid, if I recall correctly. It's been a few years.

 

I assume that's what this is. How do I get it out? I tried prying with a screwdriver and it just snapped..

 

It's held in by that one bolt, and an o ring.

One prys it out, a little at a time, and evenly, with a flathead screwdriver or two.

If pryed only on one side, it will jam on the other side. Then might break like that if forced.

I'm just recalling what I did.

Thank you Violator , for the photo.

 

Got it, after trying to be as gentle as possible I used WD-40 to soak in and vice grips to turn it, repeated that process 2-3 times before using a screwdriver on the other side to pop it out. Freed up all at once and left me an oily mess.

I found all kinds of horror stories about speed sensors on other cars getting seized up and breaking apart when trying to remove and having to drill them out I pictured myself drilling sensor scraps to the inside of my tranny so I was really careful not to snap it anymore

There's just that single bolt to tighten this into the transmission, it's been wet out so I'm not sure if that seal is staying dry should I be okay with the bolt down plastic broken and nothing to tighten it down with? It was pretty damn snug to get out

 

I should have warned you that removing this sensor is a VERY effective and speedy way of draining the transmission.

I controlled the dump rate by holding the sensor like a cork.

If I understand your situation correctly, the ear where the retaining bolt is supposed to be has broken. So it's only being held in by friction.
It could hold ok for years, leak slowly, or dump all your trans oil in seconds.

I would get a sensor from a junk yard, and replace it. Better safe than sorry.

Do you feel that this method is an effective way of draining the trans fluid? It's not the approved way, but worked for me.

 

Mine crumbled while removing the transmission.

I think the part for a 97 model is:

32005-17E1A
Back-Up Switch
$29.99
1
$29.99
Subtotal:
$29.99
Shipping (USPS - Parcel (Standard delivery)):
$10.46
Total:
$40.45

Purchased mine from Courtesy Nissan. If I recall correctly there is a switching mechanism that must be carefully reinstalled.