Thanks to kcowden for starting the following thread:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=344077

Let me start off by saying, if you own a 00-03 Max with auto and it slips, shift locks, fails to shift or improperly shifts; take it to your nearest dealership and have them fix it per TSB NTB04-035 (I uploaded a link to a partial TSB in the thread above). Mine actually feels solid again!! 1st to 2nd WOT shifts are firm and the transmissions feels better all around. In hind sight, mine not only suffered the dreaded 1st to 2nd slip, but it also suffered shift lock and improper shift. I can honestly say it's fixed and it feels great!!

Like I said, figure out how to replicate the problem and then walk into your dealership with TSB in hand and ask them to fix it before your transmission burns out. Thanks, Tony

 

from the other thread

my story...bad TCM caused me to have to get a new tranny (under warranty) well the dealership didnt tell me why the tranny went out. i learned on here about the TSB...well it was to late..my warranty was up. just paid $500 for a new TCM

plus for good measure i switched to synthetic ATF, added a cooler, and grounded the tranny. shifts are now smooth and quick.

 

sooner,

where is the tranny ground point?

 

well.....its hard to explain..and i dont have a pic.
let me try and explain...
there is a black sensor on the front side of the tranny. its at the bottom about an inch above the bottom. i connected the wire to the bolt that holds that in. i ran the other end to the bolt that holds the tranny dip stick to the engine.

hope that helps.

 

Can someone describe what it feels like when the tranny slips?

 

its not actually "slipping"

this is supposed to happen
Tcm gets alot of info from multiple sensors
compares that data to stored parameters on when to shift
send electric shift signal to shift selinods
selinods shift tranny

what happens (#1)
TCM is messed up and has problems proccessing info
tranny is ready to shift (RPMs are high) but doesnt get the signal
your car will go to close to redline and hesitate
TCM finally figured it out and sends the signal
well now your engine is higher then the RPMs where tranny is supposed to shift
so when it shifts it will be a very hard jerking shift

what happens (#2)
TCM is fine
send electric shift signal to shift selinods
selinods are bad and doesnt shift the tranny right away
tranny is ready to shift (RPMs are high) but doesnt get the signal from the selinods
selinods finally sends the signal
well now your engine is higher then the RPMs where tranny is supposed to shift
so when it shifts it will be a very hard jerking shift

 

OK, so if we have a problem and are already past warranty, the TSB will still cover all repairs?

 

ok i have some kind of tranny problem perhaps but when i depress gas pedal i get like a second or two of no responce from engine, that is, rmps dont increase , and then after second its like a quick acceleration. So im not sure if tranny is slipping because its the engine thats not respoding right away. I have cleaned throotel body recentl and put in new spark plugs, anyone tihnks it can be fuel injectors? I used fuel injector cleaner last month, still same prob.

 

I wish it was that easy. To just tell your dealer the problem and they will fix it . Not mine , I had the TSB in hand and everything. They took it out for a drive and said that it is shifting normaly. HA Ha Ha BULLLLLLLLLLLLLL SHHHHH!!!!!!!!T.

 

I'd like to know the answer to this too. I'm sure the Nissan stealership will try to get away without paying. But is it really their responsibility to fix this? What is our powertrain warranty 5/60,000 ? (not the extended warranty, which I didn't get ).

 

We just got our car used with 84k miles on it. And i noticed the 1-2 hesitation and then jerk. Will this be fixed by the dealer at no cost??? Will they charge me? How much would it be???
More info for the guys past the factory warranty would be very helpful.

Also... i couldnt really find a complete TSB. Only a partial one on the I30 site.
Does anyone have the link to the complete TSB so that i can print it out???
Thanks!!!
-Jalal

 

Most likely they will not fix it under a warranty. You should call and get a price estimate or quote from them on the repair needed. I think with parts and labor you are talking in the range of $500 to $700. What you can do is opt for a VB (valvebody) mod on the tranny. This can be done at MaximumTuning. Check them out on www.maximumtuning.net Talk to Jeff, he can guide you on this. I think you can get it now for around $400. You'll want to get a tranny cooler with it which adds about $50.