Hard Shift and Jerk on transmission
 

Hi All,

I have a 2000 Nissan Maxima Automatic then runs well with 120K miles. The transmission works fine however when I press on the gas hard it does not want to shift. The RPM goes all the way 5000/6000 stays for a second or two and shifts/jerks hard. This is not during the 1st/2nd gear. I think this is during the 2nd/3rd gear or 3rd/4th gear.

Do you think my tranny is messing up? I drive it everyday and when I drive normal (not pressing gas pedal hard) then everything works fine. If I do floor it then I usually ease up on the gas pedal to engage the shift.

Any help is greatly appreciated

I say replace the MAF. I had the same issue and I replaced the MAF just a few days ago and this problem cleared up.

Mass Air Flow? I would never had guess, what made you think to replace the MAF?

Should I replace the whole thing or just the senor?

It is not the MAF, but most likely the vehicle speed sensor. This sensor tells the transmission when to shift based off your speed. It's a simple and cheap fix. It's a common thing for the DE-K cars.

Is this the speed sensor you are talking about:

Genuine Nissan (31935-8E006) Transmission Speed Sensor Assembly https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BFE5EVU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Bkewzb01YZ25M

It could very well be. The video I watched on YouTube said to pull the wheel off and and clean/replace the sensor, so it's either the transmission speed sensor or vehicle speed sensor. If you do a bit of research, I'm sure you can find some more info.

If it is the sensor, I think it is that one you linked. Very easy to replace. People in the amazon reviews claim this helped shifting problems, so maybe it will work.

The other one is this one http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....359222&jsn=634 .

I replaced both of those in trying to get my speedometer to come back, but it was the cluster. So now I believe I have two perfectly good sensors. If you need them, I could ship them to you (Might take about a week to get them out though).

I mean maybe its not the MAF, I just had other issues to fix and someone suggested the MAF sensor and when it was replaced this problem was fixed. Idk

It might be, but he would also have other issues accompanying it like a poor idle or something. He can try cleaning it and see if it temporarily fixes it, but to me it sounds more like the speed sensor.

Thanks all. I placed an order for the speed sensor that sits on the front driver side wheel well. I will update everyone once it is arrives and when I install it.

The other speed senor that has a gear looking thing on the end is more for to accurately display the proper speed via speedometer so I will not replace that one.

My 1996 automatic transmission shifts hard form 1 to 2. I checked the dropping resistor and it tests within the 11.2 to 12.8 ohm range.Several posts suggested that either of the speed sensors can cause the hard shift from 1 to 2. My transmission is shifting at the correct speeds relative to the vehicle speed. One transmission shop spoke of a shift valve problem in this model that causes this problem. Has anyone else heard this? Thanks, Steve

Are you done with the replacement?
Let us know how it worked out .... .

Yes, I replaced the speed sensor (the one without the gear head) and it did not fix the issue. When I drive my '00 Maxima the shift works fine and the car is great but when I want to floor it or pass someone the shift b/w gear 3-4 (I think or gear 2-3) does not shift and has a 2 second delay followed by a hard jerk.

Do you think my transmission is going bad or is there another sensor we can try?

Thanks, any help is appreciated.

Might want to check this video out. It helped mine. I did have the code they refer to pop up. My valves were sticking and I used this kit to fix it. It still bumps a bit on 1-2 but way better then it was. . The kit was about 70.00, and I did it myself. Don’t know much about transmissions but luckely didn’t mess it up. Took about 3 hours

What is the condition of your front radiator support at the crossmember? Still intact or drooping?

Update Update

So I just ordered a mass flow air sensor from ebay (Genuine Nissan Part Number: 22680-2Y001) and I places it in and WOW!

It shifts without any issue. I did not reprogram the Maxima yet and I do not plan on doing it.

The whole time I never had a check like engine code until last week with a p0171.... That's when I decided to change the mass air flow sensor. I took it for a quick spin and it's amazing... Cannot wait to see how it feels when I drive it more. This is worth the $80 bucks.

good lord and oem mass air flow is like $85 the only cheap ones are aftermarket sensors.