for 2000 5spd maxima...
does anyone have a write-up on manual transmission fluid change?
I checked the how-to's but the link did not work.
The car manual says to take the big nut out on the side of the transmission, but it looks like i would need some type of "square allen wrench"...if im looking at the wrong plug, does anyone know where and how i can pump the tranny fluid back in?

 

www.motorvate.ca

 

Use a bare 1/2 inch socket ratchet on that 'allen wrench' bolt.

 

If you havent found out already here are some pics:

http://ahsan.fotopic.net/c185073.html

I did mine a while back and found its much easier to remove the shift sensor. Theres onnly 1 small bolt holding it in and its much easer to remove. Drive you car around the block one or twice, this will warm up the tranny fluid and it'll all drain out much easier. Just be carefull with the shift sensor b/c its all plastic...just ease it out gently only the bolt is out.

 

Make sure you use GL4 gear oil. Redline MT-90 is one i found in Mass area. its hard to find. I put the wrong one in for about 400 miles and it was a disaster to shift, specially when cold.

 

I will echo the recommendation and the caveat about using the shift sensor. Getting to the drain plug is a bear - it's accessible only with an open-ended wrench, and I could not get mine lose and only succeeded in rounding off the head. OTOH, I broke the shift sensor putting it back in place, so be VERY careful with the part!

Edit: My comments refer to the 4th Gen Maxima, and I believe a comment above, about using a 1/2" ratchet, does too. On the 5th Gen, both drain and filler plugs use a 10mm hex bit.



Here is a write-up for the 5th Gen.

 

My advice is to do it right.

I broke the tab on the shift sensor and had to buy a new one. Also, if you are not careful, when the oil drains out you will lose the little switch that is inside the tranny.

I just refilled my tranny fluid after doing the clutch and I used the ratchet. To be honest I thought that was the correct tool (FOR MY 2K). I guess mine is covered in a bunch of gunk so I didn't notice that it was 5 sided.

IF you have an intake and have removed your airbox, getting to the drain plug is a cinch. Just reach down to the side of the tranny. I got a funnel from the parts store and stuck the end in and filled from the top. When it is full, the fluid will seep out - and you are done.

 

I first drained the tranny fluid by taking out this one small bolt and screwed it back into the tranny. Later I found inside the drain pan a small spring and a small steel ball. I could not get the small bolt to come back out. It would be loose but it just would not "unscrew out" so I put some type of sealant around it so the fluid wont leak, and so far its working ok. Also, the real drain plug (plastic one), I accidently broke the small bolt on that, BUT the plastic plug does seem to hold it ok so far without the bolt since the plug is a tight fit anyways...
so my question is...will this affect my car in any way?
BTW, I used amsoil for the tranny fluid and I also installed the B&M short shifter. The short shifter does seem more stiff than the stock one, but i guess this is normal.
thanks!

 

The real drain plug is not the "plastic" one. That is the gear position sensor. Sounds like you stripped the real one. If the sensor is not bolted in you are asking for trouble. Although it is a FAIRLY tight fit I can easily see it coming out. If it comes out while you are driving - your tranny will be fubar since the fluid will drain in a matter of seconds. This is the reason I suggest to do it right and use the drain bolt on the tranny - not the sensor (looks like you had no choice).

Also, it sounds as if what you found was pieces of the switch that goes inside the tranny just behind the gear position sensor. That switch moves as the gears are shifted and makes different contacts with the gear position switch. I would be willing to bet that you do not have backup lights - or they are on at all times.

IF that switch was still in there and you don't have the gear position sensor screwed in - it will push the sensor out of the tranny and cause an oil leak. OR, if it doesn't push it out, will push it far enough to disable your backup lights.

If you are going to drain your oil by removing that sensor BEWARE. I think it cost me $60 to get the new sensor assembly. The tab where the screw goes just broke off - I hardly touched it.

Get a new sensor asap - it comes with the switch. Otherwise you'll be paying for a new tranny and the labor to replace.

 

yeah, the switch(spring and ball) is out. Will this hurt the tranny for the time being? I'm going to do a temporary fix and try my best to make sure the plastic plug does not come out. Also, what do you mean by back up lights? are you talking about parking lights? Lastly, since i have the spring and the ball(switch) can I fix the assembly without purchasing a new one?
thanks in advance...

 

It won't hurt the tranny but that is what turns on your backup lights. You know the white ones that come on when you put the car into reverse?

It all comes as part of the sensor package.

 

Even without an intake it's simple to pop the two plastic snap screws holding the intake "scoop" on and then just flip it over onto the battery out of the way. You don't even need to remove the intake air temp sensor that way.

Then just use one of those long funnels to fill her up. I also used the socket wrench without the socket to remove the tranny fill plug.

 

the proper drain location in the FSM is a pain in the butt to get to, hence most people use the speed sensor drain method.

I believe the drain bolt is facing towards the passenger side and blocked off by a large bracket that holds the shift linkage to the transmission

 

I broke my sensor also when I changed my lube. I was using the slightest of force with a screwdriver to pry it off, when all I had to do was wiggle the whole thing with my hand. DAVEB overnighted the part to me so it was no big deal, only like $35. I noticed it came with a switch but apparently I didn't break that because I didn't see it and the car operates fine.

 

The gear position switch for a 4th Gen cost me $19.xx plus tax yesterday at my local Nissan dealer.

 

Well, I did this today and put on MT-90 and actually found it quite easy to do, took me about 30min or so. If you can change oil you can certainly handle this.
Just raised the car, unscrew drain plug (shift linkage was not an issue, its on the way but drain plug can be removed easily with open end wrench 12mm, no need to mess with backup light switch), let all the fluid drain and then fill with a long neck funnel, mine took exactly 5 quarts to fill up.....here are some pics.

Gettin ready for the job....


Draining the old fluid


Opening up the fill plug with 1/2 inch rachet...


Got fluid all over the camera after that to I coundt take more pics!!!! LOL

 

Mine swallowed all of 5 qts also. I was getting concerned, as I thought the capacity was something like 4.7 on my 98. It's possible I drained a little more than usual since the front was jacked up when I drained the fluid. I lowered it before I refilled so as not to overfill.