ukulele

A month ago I bought a Maxima SE 2001, automatic transmission, 129,000 miles from craigslist. Last weekend went for a longer trip (1h+). On a highway in a ‘stop and go’ traffic, the car stopped switching the gears, stayed on first. Yesterday, when I was driving over an hour in a city, same thing happened again – the car stays on a first gear and doesn’t switch although RPMs go through the roof. When I switched car off for 10-15 minutes, everything is back to normal. It is warm weather in the upper 70s/lower80s here. I checked the radiator coolant and it is full (no overheating ), I checked the transmission liquid and it is full, pinkish, no black. Otherwise switches gears smooth, I think. I called the transmission shop, they told me that they might not be able to diagnose if no error messages or current problem (as it comes and goes with longer trips only). Rebuilding transmission is $2500, but would it fix the problem? What might be wrong? I would rather fix the problem than buy something new with a loan. I'm not a mechanic, and don't know anything about cars. Any advice would be really appreciated.

cjandura

iTrader: (3)

Contact user aackshun and get a nice used trans for 25% of the cost

big_phish

One thing you can try is Lucas Oil for transmissions. Its about $25 for the bottle and it will help with slips and shifting. Most places you get your oil changed or transmission flush will put it in for you and top it off if need be(atleast they do here in MI). Give it a shot and see how it works.

dfj240

iTrader: (1)

I would like to point out that I had a customer not too long ago that had a very similar problem with their 03 Dodge Stratus, and had a mechanic tell her that she needed a new transmission. She brought it to us for a second opinion, and I told her it was most likely the input speed sensor. I replaced it and the shift solenoid (as they are usually the reason the sensor goes out.) Both parts were bad, replaced them, car shifts perfect still to this day.

Not saying that it's definitely your problem, but it's a much cheaper and less labor intensive route to take. Thought that might help you out or at least give you something to check.

-Nathan

Nexus67

iTrader: (23)

$2500 to rebuild trans? You could probably get a brand new one for less. Would prob fix the problem but may be overkill.

Nexus67

iTrader: (23)

This.

kdarcangelis870

Your transmission is probably fine. Sounds like the infamous revolution sensor going (P0720). Has the O/D off light blinked or do you have a SES light on? I had the exact same symptoms as the OP, replaced the sensor, and everything has been fine for 5 years now.

OIFJORDAN

iTrader: (2)

I just changed my output speed sensor today for the reasons of the same symptoms as you stated. Only started happening once it got warmed up. It would seem to slip into neutral also. It scared me and upset me seeing as I just did an engine swap because the other one failed. If you happen to need the part number hit me up and I will get it for you. You should be able to find it as I did with ease. Make sure you buy this part OEM. Funny though I noticed its made by DSM. But all is well now thank god. Also I will state that I did not have an error code for this problem for like 2 weeks then it finally popped up.

big_phish

Is there a test to check the speed sensor? I'd like to check mine out as well.

OIFJORDAN

iTrader: (2)

Not sure if there is a test for the output sensor? I doubt it but there could be. Search and you may find! I know the speed sensor that is mechanical you can hook the leads of a multimeter to it and turn the gear and you should see change in resistance.

ukulele

Thank you guys, this is a lot of help.
There is no lights showing up on a front panel (no check engine, no OD blinking). The car certainly switches gears without any problem when cold.
I will take it to the repair shop tomorrow morning and will ask to check revolution/speed sensor. I'll let you know how it goes.
Once again, really grateful for all the advice here. Many thanks.

Very dumb question: instead of transmission shop, should I take my max to the regular garage or a dealer for a check? I'm new in the area (Honolulu), and have no clue who to trust. Paid $400 to replace window motor for a refurbished one just two weeks ago in a highly recommended garage.

OIFJORDAN

iTrader: (2)

Ouch! That is like an hour job MAX for the window. The parts are cheap to find also for the window. You got took on that! Sorry. I would not go to the stealership! A lot of them don't even know what is going on. You will find better info here! I bought my output speed sensor for 30 shipped. You can find them cheap and very easy to replace. Take off the driver side wheel. Look straight ahead and remove that plastic splash shield (4 bolts/clips) 10mm. Towards the top of the tranny you will see the sensor. Unplug wire...the it has one 10mm bolt to secure it. Pull it straight up(may need a small flat tip screwdriver to help it up) and whalllaaaa put new one in and your done! Takes no time and no brains! Save yourself a lot of money and do it yourself! Good luck!

dfj240

iTrader: (1)

All of this! You might even be able to get to it from the top if you've got a long enough reach and you remove the intake assembly, but either way it's a pretty straight forward job.

If you do take it to a garage to have them do it, the customer I referred to in post #4 of this thread spent $360 total for the speed sensor, a brand new shift solenoid, AND a transmission fluid flush and fill (labor included). I didn't really make much of anything on that job as labor was 1.5 hours. The solenoid was the most expensive piece of the whole job because it was $220. So just for the sensor, you shouldn't have to spend more than $100 at a garage, and there is absolutely no need for a transmission fluid flush, though it wouldn't hurt either.

-Nathan

cjandura

iTrader: (3)

You can get the complete solo oid pack for less the. $90 thats al 4 of them do a search for trans sol and look up the tsb kit part number

cjandura

iTrader: (3)

https://maxima.org/showthread.php?t=...hlight=Transgo

ukulele

Wow! You were right here and probably have saved me couple of thousand $! Looks like the new speed sensor fixed the problem. I did drive an hour in afternoon heat and traffic but no problem. I'll report back if anything happens, but it certainly looks like fixed.

It is somewhat funny that I took the car to automotive electricity specialist who told me that I'm wrong (as speedometer works) and need to go to see transmission specialist because he has right tools to diagnose the problem. Ok, so I was lost for a moment and thought ok...i'll let then transmission guy to run diagnostics. He never did, he know immediately what I was talking and confirmed exactly what you were telling here. He replaced the speed sensor and charged me for half an hour at most. I couldn't do it on my own as have no tools neither place as live in tower and I can't really get a nail hammered in the wall.

I didn't have $ for solenoid right now. Does failing solenoid cause the speed sensor to break down? Do I need to get that replaced asap as otherwise will need a new speed sensor soon again? My car has a small oil leak, certainly needs work on front suspension (constant cluck-cluck-cluck on even smallest pumps) and probably two new tires to pass June's inspection....just trying to get priorities right.

dfj240

iTrader: (1)

Eh, I'd worry about getting your car ready for inspection first. It's not entirely uncommon for a faulty solenoid to cause a speed sensor to fail, but it's not guaranteed that the solenoid is bad. The speed sensor can wear out just like any other part. I wouldn't replace it unless it's been tested first. Like I said before, it can be a fairly pricey part (though I haven't priced one for a Maxima), so I would want to be sure it was bad before replacing it.

I'm glad you got it sorted out, and glad we could help you save some money too. Lord knows we all need every bit we can get these days.

-Nathan

OIFJORDAN

iTrader: (2)

+1 Your as happy as I was lol...like I said I had just changed mine the day you posted this and said...wow that sounds familiar. I didn't ask...just found the part on ebay for $30 crossed my fingers and was right. Now I get to drive it to work and keep miles off the classic...lol...Volvo 850...R series of course. Lol.

kdarcangelis870

The speedo gets its speed from the ABS sensors in these cars, btw. If the guy doesn't believe you, pull the abs fuse and watch the speedo not work.