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Problems after VB install.

Old Oct 19, 2010 | 03:10 PM
  #1  
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Problems after VB install.

Ok, so here’s the deal. I changed my VB out to one I had lying around for a while. The unit in the car was a Stage II.5 from Max tuning. The one lying around is a Stage II. I had it just sitting there, so I decided to toss it in and see the differences, and probably keep it, since I sold the II.5 unit anyhow.

So, I replace it with the one lying around, and now it seems as the tranny is dying. I have some horrible slippage, I mean bad. It almost feels like my 4th gen. I’ve done the VB a couple of times, but this is the only time I’ve ever had a problem like this. WOT in first from any speed other than a dead stop (dead stop seems fine up until shift time) is like it’s pulling a 50T dump truck, from a dead it’s fine but say from 20mph or so, if I WOT at that MPH, it’s dead, and if I were to let it, @ WOT it will bounce on the limiter when trying to shift from 1-2. When WOT @ say 40MPH, it will lag, then start pulling in sort of a pulsing manner.

Also, after the first drive, I had some smoke coming from the dipstick hole.

I may need to 6MT swap this bugger

Last edited by NmexMAX; Oct 27, 2010 at 08:18 AM.
Old Oct 27, 2010 | 11:16 AM
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I'm no expert but it could be those o-rings that the VB sits on are not right and allowing fluid to leak by thus not creating enough pressure. I would drop the VB and inspect those o-rings. Did you get that spring that sits on top in right?

I'm guessing these are different solenoids considering your other thread. Did you check the solenoids for resistance and operation per the FSM?

Just a few thoughts. Good luck.
Old Oct 27, 2010 | 11:51 AM
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Put the old VB back/stock one
Old Oct 27, 2010 | 05:37 PM
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The solenoids are the same. I did get one of the connectors soiled with tranny fluid. I'm going to run diagnostics since now my AT lights turns on for a couple of seconds. I sold the old VB. Also, I really did and am thinking of MT'ng this thing but reality hit me and the snow is on its way soon and this is a FWD with snow tires and the other car I have is a RWD with summer tires.

Going to run diagnostics now and perhaps spraying the sensor connector with MAF cleaner if the sensor does indeed show up as questionable.
Old Oct 27, 2010 | 09:14 PM
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I just tried to perform the TCM diagnostics 72,179 times, and it never worked.

My Cipher doesn't show any code, but the AT light emits when in the "ON" position (not cranking, but ON)

Going to drop it tomorrow night, and of course, before I do that, it's going in neutral as pr vastmax's advice for ease of getting the VB back in. In fact, it states that in the FSM.

After some intimate time with the AT section in the control valve region of the FSM, I think I'm a bit more 'ready' for what I will be looking for.

Also bought a better jack and adapters for my air ratchet to ease the pain of removing the eleventy billion screws under there.
Old Oct 27, 2010 | 09:32 PM
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I really hope you didn't damage your clutch packs during all that slipping.. I had slippage due to a bad solenoid.. replaced solenoid pack and the slippage disappeared except for at WOT it still slips a bit. So, I did the DR mod and as long as I use that every time I do WOT shifts, it doesn't slip. Kinda annoying, but at least the DR mod compensates for my damaged clutch packs. Should keep the tranny alive for at least a while longer if I always use the DR switch at WOT.
Hope your haven't damaged clutch packs during the slipping...
Old Oct 27, 2010 | 10:51 PM
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If need be bro I have a stock one sitting....let me know. I swapped mine with the shift kit n so I have one if u need to switch.
Old Oct 28, 2010 | 06:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Cant_Get_Ryte
If need be bro I have a stock one sitting....let me know. I swapped mine with the shift kit n so I have one if u need to switch.
Sounds great, I may do that depending on the outcome of the next day or so.

I sold my perfectly working one to LongIsnlandMax. I need to ship tomorrow.

Originally Posted by jowo9
I really hope you didn't damage your clutch packs during all that slipping.. I had slippage due to a bad solenoid.. replaced solenoid pack and the slippage disappeared except for at WOT it still slips a bit. So, I did the DR mod and as long as I use that every time I do WOT shifts, it doesn't slip. Kinda annoying, but at least the DR mod compensates for my damaged clutch packs. Should keep the tranny alive for at least a while longer if I always use the DR switch at WOT.
Hope your haven't damaged clutch packs during the slipping...
I thought of doing the DR mod on a WOT switch, but it doesn't even drive enve when not shifting very well at all, like I said, feels like its pulling a tractor.

I don't think I damaged anything, I didn't drive it more than a half mile. With that type of behavior, it was scary enough, so I took her home real quick.
Old Oct 28, 2010 | 08:03 PM
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I'm n cali on vacation. Shoot me your addy. Test it out and see if it fixes your issue. If it does well work something out bro. No worries. I'll be home Sunday so I can shoot it to u Monday. Forgot I bumped it up so of have the Monday to rest.
Old Oct 28, 2010 | 08:21 PM
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I'm with Reizy, I think either there is some sort of pressure problem, or the solenoids are not working right. I know this is going to sound stupid, but how was the fluid level?
Old Oct 29, 2010 | 12:49 AM
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Fluid level was/is fine. Filled with nearly 8 quarts.
Old Oct 29, 2010 | 05:28 PM
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Cripes ... redid it, reinstalled, same shat.

I'm going to get it running good for now, but I'm going to www.car-part.com right now and looking for a used RS6F51H. mad:
Old Oct 29, 2010 | 07:13 PM
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I can have the vv sent to u Monday am bro. Let me know.
Originally Posted by NmexMAX


Cripes ... redid it, reinstalled, same shat.

I'm going to get it running good for now, but I'm going to www.car-part.com right now and looking for a used RS6F51H. mad:
Old Nov 4, 2010 | 08:06 AM
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x10e^10


It was fun.

ATF spill in my garage. Just glad it's not like motor oil
16 qts + tranny fluid



After the 3rd install/reinstall/uninstall, I decided to try my old VB again. And by golly it worked fine Slight calmer behavior than normal from 1-2, and semi strange when left in d when coming up on stops, weird behavior but 85% normal. I attribute this behavior to possible low fluid level, it was late and didn't feel like getting another couple of quarts.

Anyhow, Problem semi(85%) solved for now.


Spoke w/ Jeff over @ maxtuning, and he's going to make it better. Be cooler if he was local.

I now have 3 VB's in my possession, and 1 on the way.

I'm going to send him back the 'broken' one and the one with the incorrect solenoid ports.

And Cant_Get_Ryte decided to be kind enough to send me his for a test fit, but I couldn't wait, and canceled my sale with LongIslnadMax ( ), but I think everyone is satisfied for now. I'm just glad the car runs now.

Last edited by NmexMAX; Nov 4, 2010 at 01:43 PM.
Old Nov 4, 2010 | 01:12 PM
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Glad to hear you got it semi-figured out. I went through 3 vb's at one time. The first one (transgo) blew my original tranny. Install a spare tranny I had, it starts doing a strange 2-3 flare, put a different stock vb in it, same as you describe. That tranny dies within 2 days. My current tranny came from a local junkyard with 5000 miles on it for $350. Im not touching the VB.
Old Nov 4, 2010 | 01:44 PM
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How did the tranny die? I fortunately didn't put many miles with the "new/jacked" VB, since I was afraid of being left somewhere, so hopefully my tranny wont
Old Nov 4, 2010 | 01:47 PM
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the first one just started slipping about a day after the modded vb install. Within 2 days, I had lost 1st, 2nd, and reverse. The second tranny had the 2-3 weird shift i mentioned. Even after putting 2 different VBs in it, it never fixed it. Now that I thin kabout it, it may not even be blown, it just doesnt shift correctly. I got so sick of my VB issues I just installed a "new" tranny.
Old Nov 4, 2010 | 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by vastmax
the first one just started slipping about a day after the modded vb install. Within 2 days, I had lost 1st, 2nd, and reverse. The second tranny had the 2-3 weird shift i mentioned. Even after putting 2 different VBs in it, it never fixed it. Now that I thin kabout it, it may not even be blown, it just doesnt shift correctly. I got so sick of my VB issues I just installed a "new" tranny.
After a few VB installs, the tranny swap really doesn't seem that bad. Being as I already have a huge spill in the garage from the VB's, couldn't get much worse.

Back in the day I was talking out of my **** regarding different years Altima FD's. More aggressive gearing, hmm, maybe I can get a used one, swap it in, and live my dream

Still thinking the 6MT swap. Got a few raises since I originally though of it so yeah, I wouldn't do it though. Pay someone to do that dirty work.

Off to dig up said posts re: L31 gearsets.

Last edited by NmexMAX; Nov 4, 2010 at 03:27 PM.
Old Nov 4, 2010 | 09:19 PM
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Maximum Tuning in Glen Cove, NY?

I didn't know Jeff sold VB's, haven't been to his shop in a while...
Old Nov 4, 2010 | 10:14 PM
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That's correct. He's a good guy, always makes things right. A pain for me since I'm half a country away.

Took her out for a cruise earlier. She's fine. Added 2 qt's of Matic-D and she still loves me, maybe a little pissed since I gave her a bad VB, but I think all is forgiven now. Now to remove the blood stains from the garage.

Thanks to Cant_Get_Ryte as well. Damn, this community is very 'tight' knit, people helping people.
Old Nov 5, 2010 | 09:30 AM
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Originally Posted by NmexMAX
That's correct. He's a good guy, always makes things right. A pain for me since I'm half a country away.
I'm a local and should stop by his place more often. He's been a great mechanic to me, never had any problems with his work.
Old Nov 5, 2010 | 05:31 PM
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Originally Posted by NmexMAX
Thanks to Cant_Get_Ryte as well. Damn, this community is very 'tight' knit, people helping people.
no worries bro
Old Nov 5, 2010 | 06:39 PM
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Well... Got my SK RE4F04B kit sitting here. But after seeing two members who had the transgo kit installed only to face tranny death, maybe I'll just live with the crappy shifts .

As always, feedback from other's is a plus.

DC
Old Nov 5, 2010 | 11:46 PM
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Did you follow Jime's install thread?
Old Nov 6, 2010 | 05:53 AM
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Originally Posted by NmexMAX
Did you follow Jime's install thread?

No, I havent even installed the kit yet. I'm hesitant to do it now that I see these peaple whorecently installed it having major tranny failure. I looked at the thread by Jime but mine is the Shift kit not the HD-2.

I thought these kits were supposed to FIX tranny shortcomings, not cause more

Last edited by DCZC; Nov 6, 2010 at 06:02 AM.
Old Nov 6, 2010 | 11:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Cant_Get_Ryte
no worries bro
Got a call in to DaveB
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