My daughters 03 Maxima is doing some funky things. She says when she is at a stop and she takes her foot off the brake, car doesn't move. She then has to give it gas and then it kicks in.
What's the deal. Low on tranny fluid, drain and replace tranny fluid, or tranny about to crap out? She says it's done it about 4 times in the last month.

Thanks

 

have you checked the transmission fluid? whats the level at? color? smell? have you checked for pending codes? does the A/T light blink when its started? milage? any transmission work done previously?

your question is too vague.. lol WAS it low on transmission fluid? did you change the transmission fluid? or are you asking us if its low which we obviously cant answer?

from the vague post, it could be anything.. maybe torque converter?

 

Could be brakes dragging, or a parking brake partially engaged/stuck?

 

I would replace the transmission filter, get all new fluid, and replace transmission speed sensor or whatever its called.

it does not seem to be a mechanical failure, or it would be happening almost constantly (and probably making noise)

first check the fluid level obviously. I still recommend all of the above if it hasn't been done already

 

check the trans fluid level, if its good the trans might be toast. mine did the same thing when it went, if i hit the gas to merge from a stop, it would just rev and go nowhere then kick into gear

 

Sorry guys for the quick post. Need to check the level when daylight. Otherwise car is an 03 and just hit 100,000 miles. No A/T lights blinking and no previous transmission work done.

 

i wouldnt touch the RSS quite yet but changing the fluid and cleaning/replacing filter is a good idea. dont use a machine flush.

 

Please don't listen to Aviation, aka "Plane Crash", as his information/recommendations are not always accurate. For reference go look at the threads he has started; all of them were locked for a reason.

Now, to your issue. You need to check the tranny fluid level and condition first and foremost. It can be as simple as low fluid or cooked fluid, or both. If the fluid is cooked do a drain and refill to see if the symptoms improve, or you can have it flushed. I would recommend whichever route you take to drop the pan because you want to check for metal shavings. Metal shavings in a tranny pan is bad news...

 

no way id flush a transmission with 100,000 miles and already displaying erratic symptoms.

drain and fills or remove a cooler line and pump it out.

 

Doing the latter is effectively the same as a flush...instead of using a separate machine to pump it through the system, you are using the power of the engine. Same difference...

If the OP wants to be conservative he should start with drain and dropping the pan to inspect. If it looks to be in good condition with no metal shavings and some to little metallic dust around the magnets he should be ok in doing a flush (either method).

 

wierd, i dont see how the could be the same.. i thought there was additives in the power flush which removes varnish and debries and clogs up the VB, solenoids and cooler. And the pressure they run at is different from the pressure your trans runs at to assist and forcing the varnish and debries out. i also heard they acutally reverse the flow ( return and flow lines) when powerflushing.. guess i got the wrong info reading up on it. Thanks for clarifying this. OP you definatley should drop the pan though and inspect those magnets.

 

You could be right on all of those aspects. I've never had any AT's flushed, only did it myself through the AT return hose.

Agreed, he needs to drop the pan first and inspect.

 

theres no additives, we use a machine to flush trannies at work. just dump ATF and let'r rip, it tells you when to start the vehicle etc

 

reading up on it, some places add additives, some dont. chrome91 and foodmanry are right, the vehicle is whats used to circulate the fluid.

 

Man do not flush those krispy Krunchy bits out your trans!you need them.and never listen to anything Planecrash0001 says unless hes buying you replacement parts

 

hmm. dont listen to me yet you basically tell him the same exact thing I did.

 

Please go away Planecrash005.

 

No, you idiot. Because you are telling him to throw parts at it already. God you are a dumb a*s.