I have a well out of warranty '00 Maxima that has the 1-2 upshift problem. The TSB says it's either the solenoid assy or the TCM. Has anyone here fixed their own? Any tips? I'm pretty comfortable working on any part of a car.

Thanks, Jim:

 

Can you remind me/us what this problem was?

 

Its the auto tranny slipping from 1st to 2nd, and/or 2nd to 3rd. Mine was only slipping from 1st to 2nd and for that you replace the solenoid assembly. The TCM is for 2nd to 3rd.

The warranty on this TSB is 60K miles since it is powertrain. You have more than 60K? I think if you have an extended warranty it would fall under that.

As far as replacing it on your own you should feel pretty comfortable doing general and comprehensive maintenance on your car. The TSB pretty much outlines the install so it is straight forward.

 

Oh ok, I thought it was a 5/6 speed issue. Never mind then! Good luck anyways.

 

Kevin changed his own. Pretty sure he got the parts from DaveB.

 

ive had mine changed out twice now. According to the tech at the dealership its a faly easy job to do yourself.

 

What is the TCM????

 

I believe it is the Throttle Control Module...but don't quote me on this. I'll look it up in the ESM when I get the chance just to make sure.

 

Tranmission Control Module.. Some ppl call it TCU but it's the same difference..

Swapping out the TCM and solenoids is fairly easy depending on your mechanical skills.
Only problem is $$$s for parts........

 

something else to look at is a VB mod. i had mine done just as the shifts started getting bad and it fixed the "sliding" shifts totally. i now have 5000 miles on it and no problems since. another fix to wonderful design of a maxima tranny

 

TCM-transmission control module
Computer chip located behind the HVAC/Stereo unit that controls the shifts. This faulty module is the cause of the slow 1-2 shift

Selenoids
Unit located within the tranmission itself. This faulty unit is the cause of the jump revs during 2-3 shifts

VB-valve body
This unit WILL NOT cure 1-2 slow shifts or 2-3 jump revs. All this mod does is speed up the moment when the transmission actually shifts gears, not the process right before or after the shift.

 

A vb does not fix slippage unless you replace the solenoids. I know this from experience.

 

Oops...yeah that's it.

 

I think Kevin paid 7xx.xx for both TCM and solenoid.

 

At that price it must have included the tranny VB mod as well.

 

just for the cost of solenoid and TCM. he got his VB earlier.

 

Crap thats a lot of dough for those parts....

 

well i guess the solenoids got replaced when i got the VB mod done because there is no more slipping of any kind. so in other words the tranny is fixed and there is no more slipping and i am happy with the results.