It seems to me that there is confusion on this forum about what are commonly called TSBs or SBs. Particularly because of the infamous issues of our auto trannies and ignition coils. People seem to throw their hands up and give up easily because their car is "out of warranty". The TSB is a manufacturer issued Service Bulletin (SB) that usually describes a process or procedure that a dealer is to accomplish to correct a "known" problem on a particular vehicle. The manufacturer does this basically because the U.S. gov. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) tells him to. They give it the NTB no., date of issue and the defect reference number. These SBs are REALLY FOR cases where there has been repeated problems on vehicles that are OUT of warranty or on components that are not covered by the warranty. This process happens because of repeated defects or issues with a vehicle that have been reported to the NHTSA by owners/fleet operators or even dealers. Dealers get fed up taking the heat from customers for a manufacturer problem. Nissan also gets tired of it's dealers complaining back to it. Once a Service Bulletin is issued it actually can help you to get your Maxima repaired even AFTER your warranty has expired. The term Secret Warranty comes from the fact that lots of people who are persistant and approach the dealer with tact, diplomacy and the correct info and appear knowledgeable seem to get their cars repaired to their satisfaction when other people don't even come close. The vehicle has to have the defect/problem described in the SB which in the case of the delayed shifting tranny it will have to do it during a road test. Try asking if you can talk directly to the Shop Foreman or Lead Technician or the "Tranny expert" in this case. Ask to be the driver on the "test" drive. Every dealer has one or more smart guys who have had all the courses and training and have the smarts enough to troubleshoot. It can really help to talk to one of these guys. Remember that those people behind the "Service" desk are totally non technical. And as some of you have already found out that if you have done mods., even if they are not related to the "system" in question (intakes especially) make them nervous. The dealer has to get Nissan's approval or he won't get reimbursed. If the dealer won't discuss the issue then you have to go to the next level which is Nissan USA or Nissan Canada. There are sometimes local Nissan representatives that some dealers, if asked, may put you on to. At least in Canada dealers love warranty work and any work covered by Nissan. It is pure profit, so they should not balk at it. Sometimes manufactures even cover problems that have not yet generated a SB if they have had enough complaints from dealers and customers. (you might have to share the cost) So........a couple of things here. It helps to put your problem/s in "writing" to the NHTSA Office of Defects. They have a website. Also, just because your vehicle is out of warranty don't give up on having Nissan pay to fix it.

 

umm, i have tried many many times at different dealerships all over miami and i always get the same answer, a tsb is just to help the techs diagnose and correct w/e the problem is.