I've been going through threads about this and am at the point where I don't know what to do. When I'm at moderate to WOT the tranny will have a slight slip from 1st to 2nd. I read a lot about "cold" shifts and since it was winter, "okay, no big deal then." Now that it is getting warmer I'm still having the issue, and not just when I first get into the car. After an hour of driving my wife went to merge into traffic on I95 and it did it (not that great when you pull into a lane in front of someone)

All of these following possible causes have been checked so far:
-low ATF
-changing the ATF
-clogged screen
-shift solenoid
-clutch packs
---(tranny shop checked the last three, new fluid was put in after tranny was put back in/together... or whatever).

I'm flat out a newb when it comes to A/T's and at this point the only options I have left are a HD2 install or a replacement tranny. Kind of weary on the TransGo kit since it's my daily and my wife drives it too (I read that it's kind of harsh). And I really don't want to replace it because it shifts flawlessly any other time. I'd have other issues if it was going out on me right???

I'll do a video tomorrow if anyone thinks it would help. Any info anyone has is appreciated.

 

6 speed swap time

 

If my wife wasn't driving it I would have bought a 6spd. She can't (and will not learn how to) drive a manual.

 

TransGo Kit

 

I know you just installed it, believe I commented on your thread. Like I said though, my wife drives the car too and she might be pissed about the "kick" it gives when shifting.

On another note, I forgot about the TPS. Anyone know how to adjust it? All I can find is how to replace it. I did the Throttle position reset, not sure if it's related, but it didn't change anything.

 

In for vid.

 

Yeah, unfortunately you're most likely in for a rebuild. My car isn't slipping (yet) but gives the kick inbetween gears. I'm having ECM problems and hoping it's just from the bad ECM screwing with the TCM. I guess we'll see.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but isn't the TPS the only thing that communicates to the TCM in terms of, "when to shift" and how much pressure the tranny needs? Would the ECM effect it?

 

01 and 02 are different in terms of ECU /AT communication so lets try not and mix things up here.

Also a low mileage used unit is better than a rebuild. Time labor and ease if install.

I had a bad bad slip from 1-2, changed the VB and haven't looked back since. 90k miles and 8.5 years.

 

So it's time to replace, nothing else to check ? Would an intake throw off the TPS? Did a custom job with Apexi filter.

I'll get a video on my way back from work tomorrow and post it when I get home.

 

Mine is going in next week.

Will try to get a camera to record this "kick"

Also there are TWO versions of the TransGo Kit... You could just go with the second option which is supposed to be less harsh

I believe the less harsh version is the one without HD2 on the model #?

 

I know I've commented in regards to the HD2 calling it "harsh." Please be aware those statements came before the finding of bad motor mounts. Once the mounts were replaced, the Transgo has been phenominal. I highly suggest the HD2 kit. Worst case scenario you do end up having to replace the tranny, you can swap the valve body with the HD2 installed over into the new transmission. Also use good ATF as well, I bought Amsoil...no complaints.

My wife is insistent that when my children are ready to drive, she will get my 2003 Maxima and looks for opportunities to drive it. Never known a woman to want to fill up her husbands car....and I know it is just so she can drive it!

 

Harshness comes with old/stock motor mounts. My Maxximum tuning Stage II.5 was very harsh and clumsy until I added PUR mounts and became even smoother with the NWP ETL.

I might sticky this statement.

 

Here's a video I took on the way home today:

 

I've watched it twice, not seeing anything abnormal.

 

I agree. When my VB was trashed, it would bounce off the limiter a few times, then shift.

 

So from 28's-30's is normal? Little slip/sputter before slamming into 2nd??

 

 

Uh oh. Mine bounced from time to time when I trash on the tranny. Will replacing the solenoids be sufficient?

Listening and watching I (personally) couldn't detect a problem. However, in what you describe, slamming indicates mounts IMHO. The slipping I would say is typical auto tranny misbehavior and is resolved with HD2.

 

Got to agree mine is Smooth as Butter, barely can even feel the shifts at Normal Driving, gave my friend a Ride and he said the same thing like **** that is Smooth...

 

Thank you all for the info. Glad to know it's nothing major then. Never had an auto that shifted like that. I'll look into the mounts, do a little research on swapping to the M/T mounts. That seems the way to go if I plan on doing the TransGo anyway.

Thanks again everyone.

 

My 03 Maxima slips during the 1-2 shift, but only at WOT. It's nothing like what's in your video though. It's just a very slow shift. Doesn't bounce off the limiter though. Just shifts VERY slow. So I don't go WOT too often during this shift until I can get it fixed.

I recently purchased the car though and it still has old transmission fluid. I was going to do a couple drain and fills and see if the problem changes or goes away. If not, I may install a Transgo kit.

 

The Magnificent Gregg sees your future! Aaron will tire of the auto tragic slippage and install the HD2. He will drive it and then know, IT IS GOOD!

 

I know the HD2 is a great kit! I currently have an old Maximum Tuning aggressive VB recalibration in my 92 Maxima. I hope the HD2 isn't quite as harsh since I use the 03 Maxima for a lot of grocery getting and the wife drives it. I may vouch for the milder Transgo kit in this particular car.

I just hope a new VB will fix the slippage. It's not normal for it to shift this slow though. I like going through 1st gear in that car, but only if it shifts normally.

 

I wish i could find a shop to do mine everwhere i have gone to get it installed they said they had to drop the trans and that was the first sign that they had no experience and didnt know what they were doing

 

mine shifts nothing like the video. Its pretty solid and gives a small kick into second gear when part throttle accelerating. At WOT the 1-2 shift slows down some but nothing crazy slow. I performed a complete fluid flush and added an auxiliary oil cooler in front of the radiator after I bought it last year. I attempted cleaning all the connectors on the transmission-top/side/back with nothing changing. So i assumed mine is working normally.

Rods03-how did you get yours buttery smooth? I want to eliminate the 1-2 mini-kick it gives.

 

my car lags a little from 1 to 2 but after from 3 to 4 it is okay... I added a SRI, which made this issue worse (I think).

Found the gear timing odd for a supposed sports sedan

 

Last question... what one of these to I need? http://www.summitracing.com/search/m...=transgo%20hd2

EDIT: More specifically... Thinking it's the RE4FO4A-HD2 or RE4FO4B-HD2

My step-grandfather-inlaw (there's a mouthful) said he could install the kit within a few hours. He has a full shop at his place with a lift and everything. He has a lot of experience with American muscle cars, but not too much with imports (minus classics). Once I figure out what he's going to charge, if he can in-fact do this, and how long it will "actually" take, you up for driving down to lower Delaware for a day? I'm personally more interested in installing this myself with some "guidance" when needed. If interested I'll keep you posted, let me know.

 

Yours is the "B" at the end, if in doubt, check your tag on the firewall.

 

Thanks NmexMAX, just ordered it!

 

I am not sure what a VB is, can you explain? My car is having an odd issue bucking/slipping when going into second all of a sudden under wot. Just had timing job done, got severe oil leak. maybe somethings linked somehow. low oil pressure idk

would appreciate what a VB is much tho, thanks

 

VB = Valve Body.

 

now im scared man. We had a terrible time getting the cam sprockets loose, the wrench on the cam slipped and the cam spun a bit. I got a cam position sensor code twice now. undid the connector, redid, light is gone. The car really bucks going into second and kinda like revvs/struggles. Idk if it was due to no oil or the huge oil leak. I'm really starting to get worried

 

I highly doubt your issues are drivetrain related. Should focus your efforts on re-examining the areas where you've done the recent work, the cams/timing. If I didn't know better, you've got the timing off on one or both the cams on that side that slipped.

 

it feels like the timing is off. Idk how to know for sure. My buddy lined up the colored link with the i think triangle tick mark on one cam, and the square on the other. (i think those were the shapes, I dont know)

its was different on each side but idk it could be wrong..

we never were able to get the cam sprockets off

 

Just wanted to update this post in case someone finds it searching a similar issue. I have the HD2 kit now but it may be a while before it gets installed. Maybe over a long weekend.

Although, my issue is no more! I recently got some additional ground wires (pack of five 4 gauge, various lengths). I could not find the factory ground wire on the tranny, searched on here and it wasn't by the motor mount or anywhere else. I added one to a bolt near the torque conv. and ran it to my post off the neg. terminal of the battery. It shifts a heck of a lot faster and smoother now. Barely any lag between 1st and 2nd now. And to those that will say it's something else or placebo, I disconnected it and went for a drive and it went back to doing what it was before. Just a simple ground wire made a HUGE difference!

 

Nice!